The Shigaraki Sauna is located in a fully renovated old private house near Kyoto, Japan. It is notable for its earthen sauna, which uses the earthbag method of piling up soil in bags. The design of the sauna is inspired by a kiln and reuses waste soil produced during the production of pottery. In addition … Read more
This article reviews several common alternative building materials, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is a panel system where each panel consists of multiple timber boards glued together in a perpendicular pattern. The result is a structural product that doesn’t bend and is very strong, rather like plywood. The panels are large, … Read more
The traditional craft of stone building has thrived for generations in Saudi Arabia’s Baha region, with local artisans skillfully utilizing the region’s abundant stones and trees. Locals are working to adapt the practice to meet contemporary demands. It is a labor-intensive process, lasting several months and involves using various types of stones, including cornerstones, long … Read more
A century-old wooden structure is transformed into an atelier and office in a mountainous region north of Kyoto, Japan, integrating traditional Japanese craftsmanship and locally sourced materials. The renovation retains as much of the original handcrafted timber frame as possible. Complementing the existing framework, the studio introduces a cypress structure fitted with handcrafted sliding doors … Read more
The Shell Restaurant is located on the cliffs of Diamond Beach and is a key feature of the Intaaya Retreat in Bali.. With its expressive rooftop and bamboo construction, the structure opens broadly toward the coastal landscape and maintains a strong commitment to sustainability. The Intaaya Retreat is entirely self-sufficient in water, using a deep … Read more
In Ladakh, India’s highest plateau, residential architecture is shaped by extreme cold, intense solar radiation and arid landscape. Structures rely on locally sourced sun-dried mud bricks, rammed earth and timber, with hand-plastered walls and meticulously layered timber and compacted earth roofs engineered to withstand heavy snowfall. The spatial organization—livestock housed on the ground floor with … Read more