A Palatial, Hand Rammed Earth House in India

This 5,660-square-foot home in Hyderabad, India—named Aurva Illam—was built entirely by hand, with hand-poured and hand-rammed earth. The spaces are designed to work with the climate, shaping a home that’s almost monastic with thermal autonomy, and a way of living that makes air-conditioning unnecessary. “From the outset, the intention was to build an earth home … Read more

Shifting Toward Regenerative Design

Rocky Mountain Institute’s pathways to building with biomass, ASLA’s biodiversity priorities, and Architecture 2030’s resilience frameworks all point to nature-based, locally attuned solutions that strengthen communities while reducing carbon. At the same time, mindful MATERIALS highlights the data infrastructure needed to make these choices measurable and mainstream. Together, these findings signal a shift toward regenerative … Read more

The Common Ground Commune in India

Rooted in community and tribal wisdom, ‘Common Ground‘ is a commune that centers human friendly experiences and highlights the importance of preservation by shining a light on different forms of sustainable architecture, art, music, and farming. Operating out of Bengaluru and Kerala, India, Common Ground is a commune that believes that our planet does not … Read more

Five Projects Utilizing Rammed Earth

By using local resources and eliminating energy-heavy manufacturing, rammed earth aligns with global decarbonization goals. It has become a preferred choice among forward-thinking people committed to sustainability. Below are five projects utilizing rammed earth in a variety of ways. An Eco-Village in rural São Paulo includes three homes ranging from a 538-square-foot studio to a … Read more

Floating Refuges in Flood-Prone Regions

While floodwater once signalled an immediate retreat for coastal communities, today’s delta regions are viewing rising tides as a signal for radical redesign. Where great rivers finally meet the tide, flooding has become a constant pulse shaped by rising oceans, heavier rains, and land that is quietly sinking beneath our feet. So how do you … Read more

Mycelium Insulation Panels

A small home in Kenya has successfully used insulation panels grown from farm byproducts and fungal mycelium. A homeowner invested roughly 208 US dollars into these innovative mycelium building panels. This shows that affordable wall alternatives are achievable without relying on imported plastics or synthetic foams. Lightweight mycelium building panels can also reduce the number … Read more