History

Renovating Some Trulli into a Residence in Italy

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Tony and Maureen Papas bought a collection of trulli — traditional dry-stone huts with distinct conical roofs commonly found in that area of Italy dating back to the 1600s. They discovered theirs were built by olive harvesters who needed somewhere to sleep. Even though some of the buildings were dilapidated, the geometry of the structures … Read more

Castles in Texas?

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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

The Restoration of Lady Grange’s House in Scotlsnd

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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 Changyuel Galem’s House in Bhutan

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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

A Peaceful Village in Vietnam with Traditional Houses

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For generations, the Bac Hoa village in Vietnam has been home to the Nung ethnic community, whose traditional rammed-earth houses now carry the warm hues of time. In recent years, Bac Hoa has begun to attract travelers, particularly in spring when bright yellow mustard flowers bloom across the fields, creating picturesque scenes for visitors. The … Read more