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
The recently opened El Perdido Hotel in El Pescadero, Mexico, utilizes traditional construction materials of the region. Time-honored materials like rammed earth, thatched roofs, and Palo de Arco wood were used throughout, using only locally sourced materials and working with local artisans. The architects, Estudio ALA, began with a climate analysis. “We always try to … Read more
The Liminal Caravan is a school bus conversion quite unlike anything you’ve seen before. This artistic couple have renovated it using all reclaimed, salvaged and recycled materials to create a home filled with ornate and interesting treasures. You can watch the video at www.youtube.com
Nido (meaning “bird’s nest” in Italian) is a tiny cabin with a 100-square-foot floor plan to meet Finland’s zoning laws that do not require a building permit for houses with a floor plan between 96 and 128 square feet. Robin Falck, of Helsinki, constructed his very own “compact getaway” deep in the woods, using mostly … Read more
A Colorado Airbnb known as Wonder Haus seems to enchant all who visit. The owners, Adrian and Jeff Young, dreamed of creating an off-the-grid “mountain haven” with an arched glass-sided structure to feel immersed with the outdoors. First they bought an existing passive solar earth house that was built to satisfy the former owner’s love … Read more
This Slovenian rammed earth house, topped by a green roof, was conceived by three architects as part of a competition. The lifted roof takes shape as a green canopy, blending the rammed earth house with the surrounding forest and protecting the rammed earth walls from water damage. The roof is used as a shading element, … Read more