A Sculpted Cob House in Kazakhstan

Inspired by desert dunes and ocean waves, this earthen home in Kazakhstan is a self-built eco dream, seemingly straight out of a fantasy novel, but this surrealist cob house is far from fiction. “When people first encounter our house, they struggle to believe it’s a residence,” says Dilyara Mazhitova. “Most assume it’s a public space … Read more

5 Climate Responsive Mud Houses in India

Here are some examples of mud houses in India that show us how ancient building techniques can be adapted to modern climate responsive homes. A Kanha-Inspired Bungalow In Raipur The owners wanted to take them back, at least in spirit, to the mud houses of Kanha. “We were clear that the home should serve as … Read more

Mike Oehler Talks About His Underground Homes

Mike Oehler lived for over 30 years in an underground home that he built for $50 (and expanded for $500) on his land in Northern Idaho near the Canadian border. Now in his seventies his arthritis keeps him from hiking up to his home, but he continues to “write and proselytize” In 1968 like thousands … Read more

Keeping Cool in the Jalmanjar Farmhouse in India

The Jalmanjar Farmhouse in India aims to optimize climatic efficiency through passive and active strategies suited to the region’s hot and dry conditions. The key design elements, including the orientation, spatial configuration, material selection and windcatchers, work in coordination to enhance thermal comfort while minimizing energy consumption. The farmhouse features a perforated gable-end wall made … Read more

A Unique Tiny Home on Wheels in France

This video shows a DIY tiny house built using natural, reclaimed materials in France. It’s packed full of storage and multi functional design ideas and all for a budget of US$20,000. This is an example of a tiny home that cuts to the very core of the tiny house movement. It’s grass-roots, do-it-yourself driven with … Read more

The Shell Restaurant in Bali

The Shell Restaurant is located on the cliffs of Diamond Beach and is a key feature of the Intaaya Retreat in Bali..  With its expressive rooftop and bamboo construction, the structure opens broadly toward the coastal landscape and maintains a strong commitment to sustainability. The Intaaya Retreat is entirely self-sufficient in water, using a deep … Read more