The Open Space Visitor Center in Albuquerque, NM has erected an all-natural hut for children to gather in and use during field trips to the center. Willow branches had were collected from a nearby field over several days for this purpose. “We can definitely use this hut as an opportunity for a learning space or … Read more
This thatch-roofed tea house supported on bamboo pillars was built in 1986. The 510-square-meter (5490 sf) structure with its high arched roof was inspired by traditional rural residences in the Yangtze River Delta. After undergoing a major, two-year restoration project, it has now reopened to the public. It was designed by Feng Jizhong (1915-2009), who … Read more
ReGrow Willow is an innovative hybrid material system that combines the tensile strength of willow and the compressive strength of earth for architectural applications. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology also uses digital fabrication processes and computational tools to create lightweight, mobile, and adaptable fabrication equipment. The project further seeks to present a potential remedy for … Read more
The Fab Tree Hab is a grafted living tree structure intended to be shared by people and animals. It combines tree-grafting techniques with cross-laminated timber arch scaffolds. The goal is for a dwelling seamlessly integrated into its natural landscape and to replace harmful industrial materials with durable, bio-based alternatives. Foundation elements use almost no concrete … Read more
Sage Stoneman’s cob home only cost $200 to build and allows him to live debt-free. He says, “I choose to live the way that I do because it’s a matter of mental health for me and emotional health, physical health as well, spiritual health.” He crafted his home in California to feel closer to the … Read more
Many of the residents of White Cliff, Australia live underground, and used mining equipment to dig extensive homes in the hillside to avoid the intense heat outside. Outside, the thermometer is often over 100 F in summer, although it once almost hit 122 F. But inside these submerged homes, it hovers between 68 and 72 … Read more