The Great Lakes Lifeways Institute is joining forces with Indigenous nations in Minnesota and Ontario to build three elm bark community lodges as part of a growing effort to bring traditional lodges back to the region after more than 100 years. “These grassroots projects brought together dozens of people, created powerful collaborative synergy between diverse … Read more
Architectural design educator Stewart Hicks explains how the Paul Schweikher House and Studio was designed for passive solar heating and cooling. Schweikher used natural materials to construct what Hicks calls a “direct gain passive solar system,” whose openings and overhangs are “positioned so that it lets in winter sun, while blocking the summer sun,” which … Read more
This substantial old stone barn converted to a home has had many chapters in its long life and much of it is revealed by the building itself. The history goes back, in part, to medieval times and the interiors combine the past with the present. The late medieval origins for the building are indicated by … Read more
Most of the very oldest buildings are made of stone, as you can see from this survey: Göbekli Tepe is an ancient site in Turkey, built around 9600 BC featuring stone pillars with detailed carvings. The Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, Egypt, was built in the 27th century BC. It is widely regarded as the … Read more
Stone is strong, plentiful and fireproof, as well as beautiful. Using stone requires low levels of energy and low emissions of greenhouse gases. It is one of the most ancient building materials known to humanity, the stuff of dolmens and temples and cathedrals. Unfortunately stone has been supplanted in the industrial era by steel, concrete … Read more
The McCloskeys and Burzells were honored by the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation for their part in preserving Adobe Flores, the 184-year-old structure considered by many as the birthplace of equal rights in California. Known as South Pasadena’s oldest building, El Adobe Flores was added to the National Register of Historic Places 50 years ago. It … Read more