The Variety of Stones Used in Construction

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There are three groups of stone  used for construction: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary stones. Igneous rock, such as granite, is mainly composed of volcanic material. Magma beneath the earth’s surface hardens as it combines with mineral vapors and liquids to form a variety of geological formations. This coarse-grained stone is predominantly composed of quartz and … Read more

Woodsy Cabins in the UK

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www.thetimes.co.uk has reviewed a number of possible cabin stays in the UK, and I have selected a few of the more rustic of these to show you. Rekindling our relationship with nature is vital to promoting care of the environment. The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in Europe (as Sir David Attenborough … Read more

Natural Resilient Housing for Flood-Prone Pakistan

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In flood-prone Pakistan, villagers are trading tents and tarpaulins provided by aid agencies for natural materials such as lime, mud and bamboo to build their own low-cost and water-resistant homes. Designed by Yasmeen Lari – Pakistan’s first certified female architect – about 1,000 such houses have been built. Traditional mud huts are vulnerable to extreme … Read more

Preserving Historic Adobe Structures in Taos

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Adobe is the oldest building material in the world, found throughout the Middle East, Asia, North Africa, South America, Europe and, of course, the Southwestern United States. Adobe often requires replastering, which explains how adobe structures often change over time. Taos Pueblo, for instance, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the nation, … Read more