World’s Largest Adobe Building
Arg-e Bam, the world’s largest adobe building in the route of Silk Road, is located in Kerman, southern Iran. You can see even more pictures at en.irna.ir
History
Mysterious Underground Dome
This artificial cave, called the Upton Chamber, features a 14-foot-long tunnel that opens up into a dark, igloo-like underground dome. No one is quite sure who built this stone chamber. Records show that the land originally belonged to a local leather tanner in the 1800s, and farmers who lived around the land before that may … Read more
Questions about Rammed Earth Structures
In an old post of Owen’s about Ancient Rammed Earth Structures, I have been responding to Mirosan, who asked these questions: “So, so far all three mentioned are in arid if not desert situations. Is that because other structures (of rammed earth) in non desert or non arid climates have succumbed to the elements or … Read more
Rammed Earth Palace in Russia is Over Two Centuries Old
The origins of the Priory Palace located in Gatchina near St. Petersburg, Russia are linked to the history of the Order of Malta, one of the oldest chivalric orders of the Roman Catholic Church. Around 1800 AD the Priory Palace was designed by the architect and engineer Nikolay Lvov, who also supervised the construction. To … Read more
Mexican Architecture
I have done a fair amount of traveling around Mexico, and even lived there for about five years. Here are some observations that I have made about the architecture in Mexico.There is much history upon which modern Mexico is laid, from the rich legacy of colonial churches to the traditions of the indigenous inhabitants that … Read more
Enduring Beauty of Post and Beam Construction
Post and beam construction consists of vertical “posts” that support horizontal “beams.” This is one of the oldest framing methods, which allows the heavy timber framing to support the roof load, eliminating the need for interior supporting walls. This can create open interiors that many home owners crave. Exposed timbers serve as a visual showcase … Read more