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
“People can’t find homes, they’re very expensive. We also have an aging population … so there’s less and less people who are electricians, plumbers, or builders,” says Habib Dagher, the executive director of the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC). They recently unveiled what may be the world’s largest polymer 3D printer. … Read more
VV House in Brazil harmonizes with its natural surroundings through thoughtful design and the use of local materials such as Barbalha stone and rammed earth. The house is divided into four structures connected by external pathways. The layout includes a social block, the couple’s suite, a guest suite, and an open space for storing a … Read more
Ayuru the Forest Temple is a 230 sqm (2,476 sf) multi-functional space created for an ecological sanctuary in Brazil that is a UNESCO Heritage Site. This forest village is a conglomeration of ecological accommodations reminiscent of vernacular Brazilian Architecture. The roof structure is built of Guadua bamboo and is supported on 16 columns (11m or … Read more
In the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, centuries’ old construction traditions such as Pahadi architecture and the Kath Kuni technique use locally sourced natural materials. The benefits of these approaches are more relevant than ever. You can watch the video at www.youtube.com
In 1988, two physics professors, Bo Adamson and Wolfgang Feist began discussing the scientific components that might lead to better energy efficiency in building construction. They read the research, dating back to the 1970s, that suggested it was possible to construct a low-energy building that was designed to exploit passive solar technologies and establish a … Read more