Archaeologists have unearthed, on a hill overlooking the city of Alès in southeastern France, a Gallo-Roman archaeological site that reveals continuous human occupation between the 2nd and 6th centuries AD. The excavations uncovered remains of dwellings, hydraulic systems, a lavish polychrome mosaic, and a late Roman funerary area. At least four ancient dwellings partially excavated … Read more
Earth-based flooring materials comprise natural elements such as clay, sand, silt, lime, and organic fibers. They offer both structural performance and sensory engagement. These materials have evolved from vernacular construction techniques into high-value architectural elements due to their thermal properties, durability, and sustainable qualities. There are several types of earthen flooring, each offering unique benefits: … Read more
Ex-rocket scientist, Kristina Barile, from Harvard and MIT now builds natural living structures and permaculture farms in Panama. She is an expert in building mud homes who offers workshops and videos to help people embrace natural building technologies and live off the grid. On her Instagram account, Kristina posted a video explaining the difference between … Read more
What if we could effectively store millions of tons of carbon in a way that helps solve America’s housing crisis, creates jobs, and boosts manufacturing — all at once? A report issued by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) sheds light on manufacturing building products from up-cycled biomass that’s already abundant across the United States. RMI’s … Read more
After buying an old, rundown stone house in Italy, architect couple Maddalena Cerruti and Vincent Baisnée set about transforming it into the ultimate sustainable home. Renovating the building from scratch, room by room, they used natural and locally sourced materials to turn the crumbling structure into a property that respects their health, the environment and the building’s … Read more
From the outset, Casa AYA aimed to be built in the most sustainable way possible and is the first straw bale home built to PassivHaus standards in Uruguay. The use of concrete was reduced by 93% compared to conventional construction by using raised foundations. This technique allowed the ground profile to remain unaltered, respecting the … Read more