Montana Couple Build Their Cob House and Business

Daniel and Katharine Ray in Victor, Montana are living in a home created by their own hands, and now they’re teaching others how to do it themselves. For two years they worked on their house on their 5-acre property, building primarily out of cob sourced locally. “Cob has to be mixed together on a tarp. … Read more

School in Ladakh Heats and Cools Itself

The SECMOL (Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh) School building features rammed-earth construction and passive solar architecture. The region has a cold desert climate with temperature variation from 20°C (68°F) in summer to -30°C (-22°F) in winter. Luckily this area has over 300 sunny days per year, so the sun is a reliable energy … Read more

Using Augmented Reality with Bamboo Architecture

Bamboo architecture stands out due to its complex geometries and heavy reliance on craftsmanship. Physical models have traditionally been central to materializing architects’ visions and conveying intricate design. Now, we are in the midst of a paradigm shift: the digital revolution is bringing computer-aided design tools to the forefront, unlocking bamboo’s potential in ways never … Read more

Geeli Mitti Wants to Return India to Sustainable Building

Shagun Singh founded Geeli Mitti in 2016 and is on a mission to reinvigorate India’s building industry. She wants to see the country return to using more traditional and sustainable materials. “I created this place to serve as a center of excellence for leading a sustainable lifestyle. As a place which serves as a demonstration … Read more

Explanation of Passive Solar Home Design

Architectural design educator Stewart Hicks explains how the Paul Schweikher House and Studio was designed for passive solar heating and cooling. Schweikher used natural materials to construct what Hicks calls a “direct gain passive solar system,” whose openings and overhangs are “positioned so that it lets in winter sun, while blocking the summer sun,” which … Read more