Bamboo U’s Dapur Naga in Bali

Dapur Naga, located within the lush tropical environment of Bali, serves as a communal kitchen and dining space, capable of hosting more than 50 people. The main conceptual inspiration for Dapur Naga came from the graceful form of a whirling Sufi skirt, reflected in the building’s undulating roof. The roof is designed to capture stunning … Read more

Benefits of Earth Sheltered Homes

Pete Bissonette has one of the about 650 homes Earth Sheltered Technology has built since it began in 1981. The company has houses in Minnesota and Wisconsin as well as in California and Alaska. “I loved every bit of building it,” Bissonette said. “I’m glad I made the decision to build it. I have no … Read more

A Natural Belgian Garden Studio

Belgian studio Van Laethem Architecten used natural materials including hempcrete and cedar shingles to create this small garden studio for its staff. Located in the rear garden of the founder’s home, the building acts as both a workspace and a demonstration of the studio’s approach to using bio-based materials. The office is situated next to … Read more

Ferrock Dome at the Tohono O’odham Reservation

I have become friends with David Stone, the inventor of Ferrock, a carbon negative thermal mass material that consumes both CO2 and the residue of steel manufacturing. You can find out more about this at his website carbon-bound.com or see a video about it at www.pbs.org David has shared with me some photos and description of … Read more

Decorative Natural Materials

This collection features items crafted from bamboo, willow, branches, reeds, and other natural materials.  All of these undergo selective cultivation, specific harvest timing, and natural drying, with each product undergoing a phytopathological inspection. At least 75% of the natural materials come from FSC-certified sources. The wallpapers also meet certifications for fire retardancy and waterproofing. Highlighted … Read more

German Experimental Flax/CLT Roofed Pavilion

Students at the University of Stuttgart in Germany have developed a hybrid flax fibre/cross-laminated timber (CLT) roof for a prototype pavilion in Germany which enables column-free spans and demonstrates the structural application of a bio-based alternative to timber. This system forms the wave-like roof of an experimental building designed for a garden show on the … Read more