Eight leading architects explain where their architectural ambition is heading. We explore how these buildings use less energy, generate power, support biodiversity, and respond to a hotter, more unpredictable climate. For Norman Foster, environmental thinking is hardly new. He has explored energy, climate, natural ventilation, and resource efficiency since the practice’s early projects, when such … Read more
The Homestead House is a conceptual design that takes the prefabricated steel arch building system ordinarily found on agricultural properties, and reorganizes it into a modular, off-grid residential structure. The system is already commercially available, already engineered for structural strength, and already fire-resistant. The arches and straight panels are formed from thin, recyclable steel sheets … Read more
This 18th-century barn, recently converted to a home, is set within approximately three acres of gardens. The barn itself has two-feet deep walls and is insulated with hemp and lime, providing natural insulation and breathability. The walls are clay-painted, enhancing air quality and creating an organic aesthetic. The property also boasts double-glazed timber windows, a … Read more
Gale Marsland fell in love with Arizona’s desert climate and eventually built an off-grid home with her husband using sustainable design, passive solar principles, and traditional Southwestern building techniques. Living without utility power, they relied on photovoltaic solar panels, batteries, propane, and innovative cooling systems, gradually upgrading their technology as renewable energy became more efficient … Read more
Tucked away within native bushland, this secluded retreat offers a rare sense of peace and privacy. Positioned to capture natural light and stunning surroundings, the home features a spectacular curved timber roof and a striking stone fireplace. The rammed earth construction, paired with beautiful hardwood timber interiors, ensures the home stays naturally cool in summer … Read more
In the Aardehuis Ecovillage in the Netherlands, 44 residents live in Earthships that generate almost all their energy, heat with the sun, and treat sewage in their own garden. The construction resembles a hobbit settlement designed to minimize environmental impact as much as possible. In the Dutch cold a heat pump helps in the winter. … Read more