In October 2020, when a fire threatened Pasadena, California Kenjus Watson and his family temporarily relocated with loved ones across the country in Ohio. Between the fire, terrible air quality, and the ongoing COVID pandemic, they felt the acute fragility of their situation. This marked a turning point him for him. Instead of pursuing an … Read more
What if we crafted or chose every building component to maintain value and purpose beyond the life time of the building? This transition—from demolition to practices focusing on reuse, repurposing, and sustainable dismantling—is edging closer to reality. As these changes unfold, we must assess how our strategies align with the evolving goals and challenges related … Read more
Marialyce Pedersen’s house in Altadena, California was reduced to ash that spilled into the pool, turning the water a toxic black. But along one wall, a sculpted pink bench and outdoor kitchen looked only slightly worse for wear. Pedersen had built the bench and kitchen using cob. “That is going to be the start of … Read more
Phil Austin, now 83, has lived in his 35ft high lighthouse on the banks of the Bridgewater Canal in Greater Manchester for 20 years. He enjoys watching vessels from his lantern room as they navigate the waterway below him. Phil says, “It’s still judged as a landmark and I’m very proud of it. The views … 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
“People can’t find homes, they’re very expensive. We also have an aging population … so there’s less and less people who are electricians, plumbers, or builders,” says Habib Dagher, the executive director of the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC). They recently unveiled what may be the world’s largest polymer 3D printer. … Read more