The Homestead House is Built with Modular Arched Steel

The Homestead House is a conceptual design that takes the prefabricated steel arch building system ordinarily found on agricultural properties, and reorganizes it into a modular, off-grid residential structure. The system is already commercially available, already engineered for structural strength, and already fire-resistant. The arches and straight panels are formed from thin, recyclable steel sheets … Read more

South Korean Family Builds an Earthbag House to Preserve a Son’s Health

The Dongducheon family had been living in an apartment in South Korea when their younger son’s eczema became severe enough to disrupt his daily life. They later noticed that his condition eased whenever the family spent time in the countryside and began considering a home made from natural materials. They had no architectural training and … Read more

An 18th Century Barn Conversion in the U.K.

This 18th-century barn, recently converted to a home, is set within approximately three acres of gardens. The barn itself has two-feet deep walls and is insulated with hemp and lime, providing natural insulation and breathability. The walls are clay-painted, enhancing air quality and creating an organic aesthetic. The property also boasts double-glazed timber windows, a … Read more

This Home in India is Designed to Keep Cool

This 6,300-square-foot inward-looking structure wraps around three sides of a central courtyard, enhancing the ingress of natural light and ventilation. Wooden louvered windows control both light and breeze, allowing the interiors to remain shaded yet well ventilated. The sunlight that enters is softened, while air passes through in a steady, almost unnoticed manner. The louvres are … Read more

Sustainable Living: Homes for Our Time

A new book published by Taschen, Sustainable Living: Homes for Our Time, by Philip Jodidio, showcases the quiet revolution in green residential architecture, from living roofs to rainwater harvesting. “Twenty or 30 years ago, sustainability was often treated as a specialist concern,” said Philip Jodidio. “Today it shapes almost every discussion about housing, from materials … Read more

Rammed Earth House in the U.K.

On the site of a former brickworks in rural Wiltshire, Tuckey Design Studio has completed the construction of a new residential project crafted from rammed earth, which is a compacted mixture of clay, sand and gravel used to form solid walls, resulting in highly durable, energy-efficient structures. The concept for Rammed Earth House emerged from the … Read more