Castles in Texas?

Texas may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of castles, but this state has some architectural gems. From stone towers rising out of the Hill Country to grand Victorian mansions overlooking the Gulf Coast, these structures feel like they belong in a fairy tale. Mike Newman spent years constructing … Read more

A Lovely Rammed Earth Haven in Australia

Curia House is a much admired rammed earth home in Mansfield, Australia. It offers a sense of seclusion, privacy and luxury. The home is designed to maximize thermal efficiency. The combination of rammed earth along with double glazing enables the home to maintain an ambient temperature throughout the seasons. There is also slab heating, a … Read more

A Palatial, Hand Rammed Earth House in India

This 5,660-square-foot home in Hyderabad, India—named Aurva Illam—was built entirely by hand, with hand-poured and hand-rammed earth. The spaces are designed to work with the climate, shaping a home that’s almost monastic with thermal autonomy, and a way of living that makes air-conditioning unnecessary. “From the outset, the intention was to build an earth home … Read more

Shifting Toward Regenerative Design

Rocky Mountain Institute’s pathways to building with biomass, ASLA’s biodiversity priorities, and Architecture 2030’s resilience frameworks all point to nature-based, locally attuned solutions that strengthen communities while reducing carbon. At the same time, mindful MATERIALS highlights the data infrastructure needed to make these choices measurable and mainstream. Together, these findings signal a shift toward regenerative … Read more