A Unique Warka Village in Cameroon

Warka Water, the non-profit organization led by Italian architect Arturo Vittori, is building an integrated village in Cameroon. They already have around 30 people, including both workers and pygmy peoples — hunter-gatherers of the tropical rain forest — living on site. This ‘Warka Village’ is being constructed with local and natural materials and ancient local … Read more

Rooftop Solar Success in Australia

Australia is deploying renewables 10 times faster than the global average, with rooftop solar in the lead. And the per-capita deployment rate was four times higher than fast-developing renewable markets such as China, Europe, Japan and the U.S. What lessons can they offer to improve the uptake of clean energy? While Australia has a vibrant … Read more

Rural Australian Health Clinic is Sensitive to the Community

The ‘Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Services Clinic’  was built using rammed earth sourced exclusively from the site. It is built around a sheltered courtyard, where Australian hardwoods are used to minimize the heat effect. Built in Newman, a remote town located 1200 km north of Perth, the clinic places wellness at the center of the community … Read more

Building a Straw Bale House in Thailand

This video shows how a straw bale house in Thailand might be built. There are a number of unique aspects that are different from the standard approach in the Western world, so things can be learned that might be useful. I didn’t notice anything that would raise a red flag in my mind. You can … Read more

Traditional Materials Connect New Buildings to the Past

This article shows how traditional materials, such as tiles, rocks, bamboo, wooden sticks, timber, rammed earth and bricks are being used in current architecture in China. The Qingxiao Residence uses green tiles, rammed earth, masonry blocks, bamboo, old stone slabs, old rubble, and terrazzo recycled from demolished villages. Not only were the traditional building materials … Read more