Exploring Alternative Earthbag Construction Techniques

To reduce the reliance of earthbag construction on polypropylene, an environmentally detrimental material, and simultaneously address the urgent issue of fast fashion waste, this research explores the suitability of using earthbag construction to reduce postconsumer clothing waste in landfills. Three approaches to generating new earthbag geometries were explored using sewn domestic craft: alternate modular arrays, … Read more

Lady Architects in India Embrace Sustainable Practices

The ethos of Masons Ink, the Bengaluru-based sustainable architecture firm helmed by Sridevi and Rosie, lies in ensuring sustainability gets a voice through all of their projects. Elaborating on how they bonded over their shared interest in sustainability in architecture, Sridevi says, “Our story goes all the way back to our undergraduate days in college. … Read more

Renovating Some Trulli into a Residence in Italy

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?

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

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