Transparent wood has the potential to replace glass and plastic and also promises to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. Transparent wood is created through a process that involves the removal of lignin, which gives wood its color and rigidity, from the wood’s cellular structure. Then a transparent polymer fills the empty spaces left … Read more
Solar chimneys harness the power of the sun to generate electricity and provide natural ventilation and are proving to be an effective way to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The basic principle behind solar chimneys is the greenhouse effect, where solar radiation is trapped and converted into heat and this heat is used to … Read more
Changes in climate patterns in India have lead to higher temperatures and humidity, making conditions unbearable in many areas. Around 50% of India lives in a warm and humid zone. India is one of the countries with the lowest access to cooling in the world, and the need is expected to rise exponentially. Traditionally, courtyards, … Read more
Architects, engineers, and urban planners are increasingly turning to green building practices to create sustainable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly structures. One of the most promising tools in this endeavor is artificial intelligence (AI), which has the potential to revolutionize the way we design, construct, and manage buildings. AI for green building is an emerging field … Read more
Solar water heaters vary in design, efficiency, capacity and price, but they all replace a good chunk of the gas or electricity used to heat water with clean, free sunlight. The three basic designs all have a way to collect heat, a tank to store hot water, backup heating for when your system can’t keep … Read more
This environmentally friendly house was built with durable, empty bags filled with raw earth. The structure employed rice bags with local soil from the site (with additives), along with barbwire acting as tensile strength. Earthen plaster was then applied to the exterior for a smooth finish. Earthbag construction has remarkable strength and longevity. It can … Read more