Natalie Musielski, a student in the Architecture program at Ferris State University in Michigan, imagined “Happy Walls,” a cooperative apartment complex for graduate students at the University of Alaska Fairbanks that leverages sustainable design principles and the psychological effects of light to counteract the negative mental health impacts of the region’s unusual seasonal light cycles. … Read more
Sinfonia Verde is an off-grid home that merges with the surrounding jungle ecology in Costa Rica. It floats over the jungle floor, almost disappearing with its permeability—an ideal way, it would seem, for inhabiting the jungle. Sinfonia Verde is a residence for a pair of researchers—a climate scientist and a marine biologist—who profoundly influenced the … Read more
With biophilic design, greenery, natural light, and organic materials all come together in harmony to make spaces into sanctuaries. There are many ways to bring nature indoors. Even the busiest of urban settings can feel connected to nature’s tranquillity with the right elements. It is a design philosophy that contributes to the health of both … Read more
With 25,000 euros and 1,000 hours of work, Maurizio Cesprini and his partner Paola Gardin rebuilt a ruined home in the medieval village of Ghesc, Italy. They hope other young families will consider their example with a plentiful supply of medieval ghost towns. They also feel drawn to save the rich architectural heritage of artisanal … Read more
Architect and designer Jenna Yu’s home in Providence, Rhode Island features wooden siding on an addition connected to the original 19th-century home. The addition was built with panelized straw. The walls were plastered by her family and friends with earthen plaster, and the light fixtures were handcrafted by her mother and step-father. With two young … Read more
When Riyadh-based Syn Architects organized workshops on rammed earth construction recently, it was amazed by the level of interest. Hanno Burtscher of Earthman led the workshops; Syn had worked with him on its recent Desert X rammed earth installation in AlUla. He also oversaw the rammed earth construction on a visitor pavilion in Riyadh. 2000m² … Read more