Geoships, Made of Bioceramic Material, Are Extremely Durable

On a rural property on the slopes of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Morgan Bierschenk and his team have been refining a durable, mineral-like material to build sturdy dome homes with a particular matte-ceramic finish. They have called their modular dome homes Geoships.  Geoships are made of “bioceramic.” Used up until recently on high-end consumer electronic … Read more

Bio-Binders for Rammed Earth

Rammed earth construction has gained increasing interest in recent years owing to sustainability demands in the construction industry and the advancement of digital fabrication techniques. However, the domination of cement-stabilized material in this industry poses environmental concerns, In this study, bio-based aternatives to cement are investigated through evaluating xanthan gum and animal glue as bio-binders. … Read more

Indo-Caribbean Thoughts About Sustainability

These are excerpts from an Indo-Caribbean Cultural Centre Thought Leaders Forum held in September, 2024. Rosie Paul of India believes that holistic sustainability is important. She says, “When thinking of sustainability, it is not just about the environment, but it is also about cultural impacts, and socioeconomic impacts. You need to look at all the … Read more

Indian Architect, Apoorva Shroff, Champions Sustainable Solutions

When Apoorva Shroff was a child, her mother, a banker, told her about a client of hers who would send the architects in his building firm around the world. The architects’ mission was to be inspired by the beautiful buildings they saw and to replicate them in India. The best part of the job? The … Read more

Earthbag Building Gaining Traction in Africa

Earthbag construction utilizes bags filled with earth, resulting in strong, eco-friendly structures. Affordability and sustainability are key, hence it is becoming a go-to choice for construction in Africa. The primary ingredient, earth, is free and practically unlimited in most places. Bags used to hold the earth are cheap and can be re-used from agricultural purposes. … Read more

Three Ways to Keep Cool Without Air Conditioning

Architects around the world are finding ways to respond to their local climates and cultural contexts to keep housing cooler. Some are inspired by vernacular architecture and others learn from nature and employ biomimicry. The Startup Lions campus is an information and communications technology campus located on the banks of Lake Turkana, Kenya. This building … Read more