Hobbit houses are earth-sheltered homes that feel straight out of a fantasy. Their circular doors and windows, rounded arches, green roofs, natural insulation, and old-world charm give them their unmistakably magical appeal. These fairy-tale-like Hobbit homes are listed on Airbnb. This home in Vermont is adorned with charming details such as vintage furniture and antiques. … Read more
Researchers have turned old, unwanted mattresses into safe and sustainable building insulation using fungi. Mattresses are one of the hardest household items to recycle, since they are durable, bulky, and often end up in landfill. The team grew a common fungus together with shredded mattress foam to create a new material that is solid and … Read more
A farmhouse in Madhya Pradesh, India is situated among winding rows of mango trees. The 1,800-square-foot space is constructed using the ancient technique of rammed earth – a building tradition that has nearly been forgotten in the region. Aptly named ‘Fragrance of Earth’, the farmhouse is as much a cultural project as it is an … Read more
The Hartman Castle was built by Annie and Alonzo Hartman, who were some of Gunnison, Colorado’s earliest white settlers. The building, which is more than a century old, is now considered one of Colorado’s Most Endangered Places. Even though much of the original structure is still intact, it hasn’t been maintained. It needs a new … Read more
A wall in Theopetra Cave in Greece was built during the Last Glacial Maximum, a period of extreme cold when much of Europe was blanketed in ice. Researchers believe early humans constructed it to partially seal the cave’s entrance, blocking freezing winds. Theopetra Cave offers a continuous archaeological record spanning 130,000 years, making it one … Read more
At a recent symposium, Bakar Labs for Energy and Materials convened experts from industry, academia and government to discuss the true carbon cost of construction. A common thread throughout the symposium was that humanity can rise to the challenge of creating sustainable buildings. Bruce King — founder of BuildWell.site, a nonprofit drawing awareness to … Read more