Modular Bamboo Housing in Myanmar

Housing NOW is a modular bamboo housing system that provides rapid, affordable homes in Myanmar’s conflict- and disaster-affected regions. They use small-diameter bamboo bundled into structural frames that interlock to form the backbone of each house. This method uses abundant, low-value bamboo culms from local sources and transforms them into load-bearing construction elements through bundling, … Read more

Vintage Stone Malthouse in U.K.

Dating back to 1640 with later additions through the 1700s, this beautifully restored 5-bedroom property in Somerset, known as Malthouse, spans roughly 2,861 sq ft, with contemporary delights such as a summerhouse and a swimming pool. Beyond its classic stone façade and mullioned windows, The Malthouse’s interiors are steeped in character. Original architectural features — … Read more

Renovating a Decrepit Farm in Wales

While vacationing, Nicole and Gav decided they “might as well” view some smallholdings for sale to simply indulge in a dream they had long carried.  They were attracted to a 13-acre smallholding in west Wales, with a crumbling farmhouse and a yard full of derelict outbuildings. The couple immediately fell in love with it and … Read more

Building an Earthbag House in Rural India

When architect Neha Ballal floated the idea of moving to the mountains and building a mud home, her decision was met with skepticism: “Everyone’s doing the opposite. Why would you retreat to the place everyone’s leaving behind?” But today, when her home gets visitors from the city (it is listed on Airbnb) it makes for … Read more

The Potential for Bamboo in Nepal

Despite contributing nearly 1 percent to Nepal’s GDP, bamboo remains largely under-utilized. Traditional uses, including scaffolding, weaving, handicrafts and household items, dominate the current market. Bamboo’s optimal use depends on species and maturity, where shoots under three weeks are best for consumption, three weeks to one year for weaving, one to three years for small … Read more