What if we crafted or chose every building component to maintain value and purpose beyond the life time of the building? This transition—from demolition to practices focusing on reuse, repurposing, and sustainable dismantling—is edging closer to reality. As these changes unfold, we must assess how our strategies align with the evolving goals and challenges related … Read more
Marialyce Pedersen’s house in Altadena, California was reduced to ash that spilled into the pool, turning the water a toxic black. But along one wall, a sculpted pink bench and outdoor kitchen looked only slightly worse for wear. Pedersen had built the bench and kitchen using cob. “That is going to be the start of … Read more
On a rural property on the slopes of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Morgan Bierschenk and his team have been refining a durable, mineral-like material to build sturdy dome homes with a particular matte-ceramic finish. They have called their modular dome homes Geoships. Geoships are made of “bioceramic.” Used up until recently on high-end consumer electronic … Read more
Architect Janna Lasso Hadweh designed this cabin 24 square meter (259 sf)cabin within Ecuador’s lush Andean region. It is barely visible from the road, blending into its natural surroundings behind a river stone wall and dense vegetation. Its minimalist design, features dark metal, charred wood, and glass. Elevated atop nine metal stilts, the dwelling is … Read more
This story begins with a simple mission by a group of university friends coming together to help a small village in Malaysia build a toilet and paint houses there. The experience impacted them profoundly and it led to the creation of EPIC Homes (now part of EPIC Collective) with the mission of bridging the urban … Read more
Rammed earth construction has gained increasing interest in recent years owing to sustainability demands in the construction industry and the advancement of digital fabrication techniques. However, the domination of cement-stabilized material in this industry poses environmental concerns, In this study, bio-based aternatives to cement are investigated through evaluating xanthan gum and animal glue as bio-binders. … Read more