This thatch-roofed tea house supported on bamboo pillars was built in 1986. The 510-square-meter (5490 sf) structure with its high arched roof was inspired by traditional rural residences in the Yangtze River Delta. After undergoing a major, two-year restoration project, it has now reopened to the public. It was designed by Feng Jizhong (1915-2009), who … Read more
Termites are master engineers who can build enormous, complex nests that stand several meters tall. They build intricate tunnels that have natural air conditioning. But how do these tiny creatures coordinate to create such impressive structures? A study by researchers at the IMT School for Advanced Studies in Italy has cracked the mystery. Termites focuse … Read more
The Gulick-Rowell House is a two-story dwelling on the National Register of Historic Places constructed for Christian missionaries nearly 200 years ago in Waimea, Kaua‘i, Hawaii. The house is notable for its New England architecture and use of ōhiʻa lumber and coral limestone blocks cut from offshore reefs by Hawaiian workers, who were paid with … Read more
In Chonburi, Thailand, architect Peeraya Suphasidh tried using the ancient technique of rammed earth, thinking that the local building industry could learn something of value. It has generally been disregarded for its labor intensive and time-consuming nature. In finding the right material composition that would be suitable for the tropical climate with high humidity and … Read more
Nigerian architect Tosin Oshinowo curated a major exhibition in the United Arab Emirates titled “The Beauty of Impermanence: An Architecture of Adaptability.” She wanted to look at how regions such as Africa are able to function with scarce resources. “I think ultimately the big elephant in the room for most of us is climate change,” … Read more
Architect Antoine Predock, known for his work rooted in the style and philosophies of the American Southwest, has passed away at the age of 87. He was known for projects such as the La Luz housing complex in Albuquerque and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. His designs often utilized local earthen and … Read more