Castles in Texas?

Texas may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of castles, but this state has some architectural gems. From stone towers rising out of the Hill Country to grand Victorian mansions overlooking the Gulf Coast, these structures feel like they belong in a fairy tale. Mike Newman spent years constructing … 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 Restoration of Lady Grange’s House in Scotlsnd

The National Trust for Scotland has successfully repaired one of the most significant structures following a major collapse in 2022. The beehive-shaped, stone building known as ‘Lady Grange’s House’, is notable among the 1,200  such stone buildings scattered across the main island of Hirta. These are stone structures built without mortar and topped with turf … 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

The Changyuel Galem’s House in Bhutan

Changyuel Galem’s House in Bhutan is a 400-year-old heritage site tied to the tragic love legend of Galem and Singye, and is now awaiting urgent restoration. Similar to Romeo and Juliet, Singye fell in love with Galem, a beautiful young woman, and fate kept them apart. The separation is said to have broken Galem’s heart, … Read more

Compressed Earth Block Value and Technology

Compressed earth blocks are a combination of soil, mechanical engineering, and high-density compression capable of transforming the ground of the construction site into structural blocks used to erect resistant, stable, and visually striking walls. The technology combines thermal efficiency with low emissions. Any soil with between 10% and 30% clay can work for producing compacted … Read more