Constructed with traditional rammed earth, this four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Australia has a grounded, timeless aesthetic. Natural timber features flow throughout the home to create warmth, texture, and an immediate sense of calm. The home is anchored by a spacious lounge featuring a wood fire, complemented by split system heating and cooling for year-round comfort. … Read more
Architect Yasmeen Lari‘s practice is driven by the belief that design can help people rebuild their own worlds with the materials, skills, and knowledge already around them. This Pakistani architect has shaped a body of work that reduces harm, shares power, and harnesses architecture for climate resilience, social dignity, and collective repair. For Lari, design … Read more
Homeowners, architects, builders, and policymakers have begun to recognize that they have the capacity to not just reduce environmental impact but also to improve quality of life and long-term cost savings. Achieving sustainability in this context involves consideration of everything from design innovations, materials, and energy efficiency to water conservation and changes in life styles. … Read more
Researchers from the University of Bath’s Department of Mechanical Engineering have shown that agricultural waste from prickly pear cactus plants could be used as a low-cost, low-carbon reinforcement for construction materials, offering a more sustainable alternative to conventional composites. Composite materials combine strong reinforcing fibers with a lightweight base material, known as a ‘matrix’. Widely … Read more
Building upon the chemistry that oysters use in miles-long reefs, scientists have found a way to create cement that is stronger and cures faster. Jonathan Wilker, a professor of chemistry in Purdue University’s College of Science has long been interested in formulating new, more sustainable and better materials. “Our lab studies materials that shellfish make,” Wilker … Read more
Set among 40 acres of native woodland, this three bedroom mud brick house offers a peaceful off-grid lifestyle in the heart of Central Victoria, Australia. Built in 2000, the house was designed for passive solar heating. The residence enjoys lovely views across the garden, surrounding bushland and one of the property’s two dams. A Trust … Read more