Off-Grid New Mexico Conservation Ranch

JJ and Fred Milder were looking for their dream home- they’d spent most of their married life in Boston-, but now with their daughters in college, they were looking to relocate. They stumbled on a former cattle ranch in the high desert outside Sante Fe that was being sold as part of a conservation trust. … Read more

Birds Are Natural Builders!

Some birds’ nests are cup-shaped, some have domes, others have been likened to apartment complexes. How do birds build their nurseries? Captain Cook collected a hummingbird nest during his trip to Brazil. That nest, just 6 cm (2.4 inches) high was in the fork of two branches, camouflaged with lichen, lined with fluffy seeds and … Read more

Separo House Features Traditional Iranian Materials

Separo House, located in the village of Separo, Iran was designed by Hypertext Architecture Studio. It features vaulted roofs that reflect regional architecture while providing essential shading and thermal comfort in the hot, arid climate. It is constructed primarily from adobe so its color echoes the nearby mountains. Its double-shell structure enhances indoor thermal comfort, … Read more

Yama-Tani Residential Project in Paris

Yama-Tani is a small residential project in Paris designed by the Japanese architecture studio Kengo Kuma. The project aims to recreate the intimate scale of a village within the urban environment of the French capital city while incorporating nature into the design. One of the project’s key strategies is its stepped composition, which allows maximum … Read more

A Unique Colorado Wonder Haus

Known as the “Wonder Haus,” this home is nestled into the earth for maximum energy efficiency and has a four-story tower. The design was modeled after the Anasazi Tribe’s stargazing practices. Located on almost seven acres in Pagosa Springs, CO, it has been a wildly successful short-term vacation rental for the current owners. Its eye-catching … Read more