On an empty lot next door to a popular craft brewery, the Blockhouse team wanted to build housing that would fit a buzzing Spokane (WA) neighborhood. They carefully placed micro and skinny units around some old-growth trees to create a pocket neighborhood with interior gathering spaces for the community, leaving just a few parking spaces … Read more
The Garden House in Ecuador obscures the boundary between nature and the built space. The occupant must travel outside to access the washroom areas from the living spaces and the shower is located in a greenhouse and is nestled among its plant life. The design team says, ‘There are places where people do not know … Read more
The makers of El Silencio brand of mezcal near Oaxaca, Mexico are opening an eco-minded resort by their distillery. The property evokes both the area’s natural aesthetic and the production of the native agave spirit with six guest suites. Casa Silencio’s design evokes both ancient mythology and the creation and consumption of mezcal. The owners … Read more
When built, designed and maintained properly, green roofs have many more advantages than disadvantages. The vegetation reflects most of the direct sunlight rather than absorbing it, and the moisture prevents heat gain from the structure, providing energy savings for cooling. In arid climates, the increase in thermal inertia will increase comfort and reduce temperature fluctuations … Read more
George Remedios has planted ten ‘food forests’ in Mumbai, India over the course of six years. Some of them are in a space as small as just 13 feet by 145 feet. Along with mangoes, coconut, papayas, guavas, pomegranates, bananas, and jujubes you see monkeys, squirrels, birds and bees that come to feed on the … Read more
My friend Michael Judd lived in Nicaragua for many years and moved to Frederick, Maryland several years ago with his wife to establish a permaculture homestead. I recently got this email from him that is so enticing I thought I would pass it on too you.Spring has Sprung in full force at Long Creek Homestead … Read more