The village of Kandovan in Iran is a tourist village that is famous for its scenic beauty and the fact that many of its homes have been made in caves located in cone-shaped rock-formation. The village looks somewhat like a gigantic termite colony. Some of these houses are at least 700 years old and still … Read more
Ebiobambu is a School of Bioarchitecture and Experimental Research and Technology Center for Bamboo in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro. They developed an approach that integrates agroforestry cultivation, research on construction techniques, and training of specialized labor. The main species used in Ebiobambu’s projects is Guadua bamboo. one of the best structural bamboos … Read more
A family wants to build a house using the very material from the land. Shovel, bucket, sturdy bags, and physical strength replace heavy equipment. Can merely compacted soil support a complete structure? Loose soil does not support anything. It spreads, gives way, crumbles. The challenge, then, was to convert this raw material into something capable of … Read more
I just got this email from Firespeaking Masonry Heaters and Wood Fired Ovens: Dear reader, This visual document we are publishing today is several years in the making and reflects our effort to help masonry heaters become more a part of vernacular building systems. Whether you are a homeowner, professional heater builder, or architect, it … Read more
There has been a revival of the age-old craft of thatched roofs in contemporary buildings across the globe. Used to create thick, insulating shelters, a thatched roof is an ancient roofing method achieved by layering bundles of dried vegetation such as reeds. The technique is often associated with old, rustic cottages in Europe, but it … Read more
Rammed Earth walls tie this Desert Fairway Residence in Phoenix, Arizona to its natural setting. It was designed to embody contrasting elements – solid and void, interior and exterior, light and shadow – that come together to create a sense of balance. Totalling 7,195 square feet (668 square metres), the home consists of low, rectilinear … Read more