Wood is inherently imprecise. Its grain reverses and swirls. Trauma and disease manifest in scars and knots. Instead of viewing these natural tendencies as liabilities, Achim Menges, an architect and professor at the University of Stuttgart in Germany, sees them as wood’s greatest assets. Menges and his team at the Institute for Computational Design and … Read more
Italian construction company BIOmat Canapa has created a 100% natural and recyclable brick, crafted from a blend of lime and canapulo, with exceptional insulation properties while combating humidity. Canapulo is a specialized hemp variety cultivated specifically for construction. Lime acts as a vital binding agent, ensuring cohesion and bolstering the overall strength of hemp bricks. … Read more
Idaho Springs, Colorado plans to restore of the Powder House, which the mayor refers to as a “hidden gem” owned by the city for over 100 years The property is now set to become a city park. It was built in the 1880s and acquired by the city of Idaho Springs in a tax lien … Read more
Sally Bennett spent eight years building an environmentally friendly shed using cob. She learned how to combine subsoil clay, sand, and straw and tread them before placing them on her wall. After retiring earlier than planned in 2023, the 69-year-old suddenly had much more time to devote to the process. Sally held an unveiling of … Read more
When the Watershed Conservation Center in Ontario, Canada was built in 2012, a 75 m2 (807 sf) live roof garden was installed on either side of the sidewalk leading up to the front doors. The live roof sits on top of part of the basement of the old office building, which was retained and renovated … Read more
Straw has a long history as a building material, finding application in thatch roofs, as a binding agent in adobe bricks and cob, as insulation, and in straw bale construction. Straw, a renewable, recyclable, regionally available, and low-cost material, offers a climate-friendly alternative to conventional building materials. Indeed, straw provides a viable solution to decarbonizing … Read more