Iceland’s first building made from hempcrete was designed by Lúdika Architects and was funded by several grants. Given the size and height limitations of this BioBuilding project, Lúdika drew inspiration from the philosophy of Japanese tea houses, which emphasize craftsmanship, are often made of natural materials, and are very small. It is only 15 square … Read more
An Abu Dhabi-based company Desert Board says it has found a way to use waste from date palm trees to create a construction material named Palm Strand Board. The United Arab Emirates has an estimated 40 million date palms and when date palm fronds are pruned off they become a problem, according to the director … Read more
From the sky, the Netherlands’ Ecovillage Boekel looks like a flower house. It is an almost self-sufficient housing community that was voted the most sustainable organization in the Netherlands in 2021. This project offers concrete solutions for social, economic, and cultural regeneration. The Ecovillage is made up of 36 pioneering sustainable flats where 48 adults … Read more
Li and Michelle Tane spent seven years living off-grid in their “happy place” – the Canterbury high country of New Zealand. First they lived in a tent, then in a mud hut, and then two timber huts. Now, with two daughters, Thea and Juniper, they are finally building a house on their land. They are … Read more
Yasmeen Lari founded the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan in 1980 to preserve the country’s traditional architecture, and they have built some 85,000 structures for displaced Pakistanis, including victims of last year’s devastating monsoon rains. That disaster left a third of the country underwater and destroyed more than 2.1 million homes, but the thousands of bamboo … Read more
A-Frame houses can present a unique living experience and there are many reasons why this style of house might appeal to you. Their distinct shape can easily accommodate a wall of windows, allowing for abundant natural light and scenic views. Their sharp-angled roof is particularly advantageous in snowy climates as it prevents snow buildup. These … Read more