The Great Wall of China

The marvelous Great Wall of China is a cultural icon deeply entwined with myth and legend. The Wall has been a military defense structure, a symbol of imperial power, and now a tourist monument. Ancient stories tell of a powerful sorcerer who shaped the Wall to ensure its invincibility with the aid of earth spirits … Read more

New Biomaterial Draws Carbon Dioxide Out of Atmosphere

C-ELM incorporates cyanobacteria into translucent panels that can be mounted on to the interior walls of buildings. As the microorganisms grow using photosynthesis they pull carbon dioxide out of the air and affix it to calcium to create calcium carbonate, locking away the carbon. A kilogram of C-ELM can capture and sequester up to 350 … Read more

Ancient Fortress City in China

The ancient town of Anshun City in southwest China’s Guizhou Province has become a tourist attraction. These stone-structured residential buildings were built in the style of a fortress for resisting the enemy’s attacks in ancient times. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), some troops were sent to Anshun, where they built villages and cultivated land for … Read more

A Renovated Centuries-Old Home in Spain

Reminiscent Home is a century-old residence in Spain that has recently been renovated by the founder of architecture practice Funcionable and it happens to be the where he was born. “Many of the transformation operations have resulted in involuntary restitution of very ancient previous states, prior even to the author’s brief period of residence in his … Read more

Bamboo Design Around the World

Ibuku is a Bali-based studio headed by founder Elora Hardy and is a pioneer of bamboo architecture. This team of designers and architects is dedicated to exploring a variety of typologies – from homes to hotels, schools, and event spaces. Hardy recalls what attracted her to start working with the material: “I was searching for … Read more