Recycled Glass Found to Strengthen Compressed Earth Blocks

Scientists have found that recycled glass and lime can strengthen compressed earth blocks. This could be a sustainable alternative to cement for eco-friendly, durable construction materials. Compressed earth blocks are produced by mixing soil with water and compacting the material under high pressure. Cement is commonly added to improve the blocks’ mechanical properties, but its production … Read more

Rainforest Tree House in Malaysia

As temperatures rise across Malaysia, highland refuges are warming too. Yet a small forest-based initiative is quietly showcasing resilience. “Gunung Pulai used to feel cooler while hiking, but now it’s no different from the lowlands,” said a clerk at the neighborhood convenience store. Villagers say the weather has become increasingly unpredictable, affecting crops, water access, … Read more

A Natural Bench Building Workshop in New Mexico

Using locally sourced and some imported resources, participants at an earthen bench building workshop worked together to create three benches during the 2025 Silver City CLAY Festival. “Benches or pizza ovens are such a great way to get your hands dirty, to learn more easily, because it doesn’t take a lot of material, unlike building … Read more

A Mud & Bamboo Mountain Retreat in India

Filmmakers Raman Siddhartha and Manju Narayan returned to Dharamshala, India to build a sustainable homestay made of local mud, bamboo, and slate. To reach it, you have to leave your car behind and walk a stretch of narrow path.  Here’s how they created an off-grid haven rooted in tradition and community. “I’ve lived in London … Read more

Can Bioregional Thinking Help Deal with Bad Architectural Habits?

How can we repair our living spaces after devastating climate related disasters if we continue the very architectural habits that led us to disaster? The answer may lie in bioregional systems for materials, a more localized approach to the way we build our homes and habitats. Architecture 2030, a non-profit, non-partisan organization established to respond … Read more