Eleven graduate students in the Historic Preservation program at the Pratt Institute of New York spent their Spring Break shoveling soil, straw, and sand into wheelbarrows, mixing buckets of lime plaster, and applying limewash on historic walls as part of an Adobe Preservation Workshop in Mesilla, NM. They were assisted by Adobe in Action, a … Read more
Here are some examples of mud houses in India that show us how ancient building techniques can be adapted to modern climate responsive homes. A Kanha-Inspired Bungalow In Raipur The owners wanted to take them back, at least in spirit, to the mud houses of Kanha. “We were clear that the home should serve as … Read more
I just received this Eulogy for Johnny Weiss, in loving memory of our dear friend, mentor, and solar pioneer, the founder of Solar Energy International (SEI). It is with a heavy heart that we are writing you today to honor the life and legacy of Johnny Weiss—a trailblazer in solar energy, a teacher to thousands, … Read more
Rammed-earth houses are a distinctive cultural feature of the Hmong people living in the Dong Van Karst Plateau, the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, Vietnam. Traditionally, these homes are considered a measure of a family’s wealth and heritage, reflecting how long a Hmong lineage has settled in the region. You can read the original … Read more
Colombo-Colonial architecture in Columbia is a style characterized by rammed earth walls, stone masonry, and tile roofs. Architect Alejandro Saldarriaga recently designed a country home where “The closest airport is a three-hour drive,” he says. The 2,600-square-foot home reinterprets the Colombo-Colonial vernacular, but he was challenged to work with a sloping site with extreme topography. … Read more
The cold desert region of Ladakh, India is characterized by harsh winters, minimal rainfall, and sparse vegetation. The residents have been forced to adapt to the environment, optimizing the limited available resources for sustenance. At an altitude of 3,500 meters (11,500 ft.) and over 300 sunny days per year, it is well positioned for passive … Read more