In 2017, Chris Caskey’s was working as a faculty chemist at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, where he focused on CO₂ capture. He got wind of a problem plaguing the western slope of Colorado: hundreds of abandoned and decommissioned coal mines gushing invisible and harmful methane into the air at a rate … Read more
During the California heat wave of 1906, Baldassare Forestiere dug a home underground with just a pickax and shovel. He spent 40 years excavating 10 acres of rooms, tunnels, a chapel, an underground aquarium, and courtyards to experiment with underground farming. With no budget, he mixed mortar from the dirt he dug out, creating his … Read more
The role of landscaping in passive solar building design can play a crucial part in maximizing shade and solar gain. By carefully planning and positioning landscape elements, homeowners can create outdoor spaces that work in harmony with the sun’s natural patterns, resulting in energy-efficient buildings that are comfortable year-round. One of the primary goals of … Read more
Solar chimneys harness the power of the sun to generate electricity and provide natural ventilation and are proving to be an effective way to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The basic principle behind solar chimneys is the greenhouse effect, where solar radiation is trapped and converted into heat and this heat is used to … Read more
Changes in climate patterns in India have lead to higher temperatures and humidity, making conditions unbearable in many areas. Around 50% of India lives in a warm and humid zone. India is one of the countries with the lowest access to cooling in the world, and the need is expected to rise exponentially. Traditionally, courtyards, … Read more
Architects, engineers, and urban planners are increasingly turning to green building practices to create sustainable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly structures. One of the most promising tools in this endeavor is artificial intelligence (AI), which has the potential to revolutionize the way we design, construct, and manage buildings. AI for green building is an emerging field … Read more