When the Watershed Conservation Center in Ontario, Canada was built in 2012, a 75 m2 (807 sf) live roof garden was installed on either side of the sidewalk leading up to the front doors. The live roof sits on top of part of the basement of the old office building, which was retained and renovated … Read more
Los Panchos in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, is a housing complex catering to surfers and beach lovers. The organic shell of the building features curved walls and fluid arches. Los Panchos maximizes views, solar orientation, and ventilation. Construction employs sustainable methods and locally sourced materials like wood, stone, and clay, emphasizing energy efficiency, and incorporating green building … Read more
Thermal mass is the ability of a material to absorb, store, and release heat. It can be used to moderate building temperatures by reducing fluctuations. Materials with relatively high thermal mass, such as stone, rammed earth, and brick, can absorb significant heat during the day and release it slowly when temperatures drop at night, reducing … Read more
Straw has a long history as a building material, finding application in thatch roofs, as a binding agent in adobe bricks and cob, as insulation, and in straw bale construction. Straw, a renewable, recyclable, regionally available, and low-cost material, offers a climate-friendly alternative to conventional building materials. Indeed, straw provides a viable solution to decarbonizing … Read more
The second home on Maui, Hawaii using hempcrete for wall construction has been completed. Hempcrete is not only fire, mold and termite resistant, it’s also non-toxic, sound insulating, energy efficient, and absorbs carbon dioxide from the air. The owner, Jon Woodhouse, says, “Walking into my home, you can feel the difference compared to conventional home … Read more
VV House in Brazil harmonizes with its natural surroundings through thoughtful design and the use of local materials such as Barbalha stone and rammed earth. The house is divided into four structures connected by external pathways. The layout includes a social block, the couple’s suite, a guest suite, and an open space for storing a … Read more