Couple Builds a Straw Bale Home in Ohio

David and Carrie Chew live in a house made of straw. It has two bathrooms, a modern kitchen and a packed earthen floor. The exterior walls are made with stacked wheat straw bales covered in plaster. Proponents of modern straw-bale construction highlight the sustainability of sourcing materials from local farms and natural insulation provided by … Read more

Casa De Mi Luna in the Czech Republic Blends Many Natural Materials

Fusing local heritage and contemporary spatial dynamics, Casa De Mi Luna nestles into the scenic landscape of a nature reserve in the Czech Republic. Designed by Martin Zizka of Studio Circle Growth, the residence provides an idyllic retreat for an Argentinian-Czech family seeking respite from the bustle of Prague. The space blends with the region’s … Read more

The First Earthship on Prince Edward Island is Still Working Great

After 10 years the first Earthship on Prince Edward Island in Canada, builder Jordan Cameron is glad to see that its features are still working as intended. He began the project in 2013 when he was 21 and relatively fresh out of College and had spent several years dreaming of building his first project. Like … Read more

Montana Couple Build Their Cob House and Business

Daniel and Katharine Ray in Victor, Montana are living in a home created by their own hands, and now they’re teaching others how to do it themselves. For two years they worked on their house on their 5-acre property, building primarily out of cob sourced locally. “Cob has to be mixed together on a tarp. … Read more

Saving Old Buildings Is Better Than Building New Ones

In the late ’90s and early 2000s,  the LEED designation, awarded by the US Green Building Council to recognize leadership in energy and environmental design, was generally revered only by architects devoted to reducing the carbon impact of the built environment. But corporate greenwashing has transformed LEED into a badge of status. But really, the … Read more

School in Ladakh Heats and Cools Itself

The SECMOL (Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh) School building features rammed-earth construction and passive solar architecture. The region has a cold desert climate with temperature variation from 20°C (68°F) in summer to -30°C (-22°F) in winter. Luckily this area has over 300 sunny days per year, so the sun is a reliable energy … Read more