A group of researchers at RMIT University in Australia has been looking at discarded cardboard and wondering if it could do something useful. Their experiments led to a mix of cardboard, soil, and water that behaves like a building material, not packaging. Early trials point to real potential, especially for builders who are trying to … Read more
I recently got this email that I would like to share with you. My name is Re’em Jacob, and I am an engineer by training, originally educated in computer science. Twenty-five years ago, I moved to Costa Rica, where I developed a profound connection with nature—a fascination that likely existed even before, especially with trees and organic forms. … Read more
Many years ago it was easy to recognize Mong villages and hamlets with traditional earthen houses, but now, many households have replaced earthen houses with modern architecture; the unique features in the traditional houses of the Mong people are gradually fading away. Ms. Trang Thi Sang still lives in a traditional earthen house. She said … Read more
The Rijnvliet housing development in the Netherlands has around 1,000 fruit trees and 220 species of edible flora. The development has 1,000 homes surrounded by parks, rivers and forestry with the aim of including as much food producing plants as possible. “The idea of an edible neighborhood originated from the residents themselves”, says the landscape … Read more
Casa Las Tupas is located in northern Chile, an area defined by its arid climate, seasonal winds, and a landscape marked by ravines. The owner wanted to focus on low environmental impact, functional simplicity, and integration with the surrounding terrain. The house has a north–south axis which maximizes passive lighting and ventilation, with the east … Read more
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site near La Junta, Colorado has been closed to the public due to safety issues with the structure. The current fort building was constructed in 1976 on the footprint of the original mid-1800s trading post that was a meeting place and major settlement along the Santa Fe Trail for trappers, … Read more