The Year in Upfront Carbon
Ever since Jimmy Carter was president, the focus has been on energy efficiency—to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. While the problem has changed to one of reducing carbon emissions, the…
Green Design
Saving Energy Requires Smaller Windows But Architects Like Them Big
Modern architecture was easier when windows were big. But when you are trying to design to save energy, big windows are a problem. High-quality units are expensive, and they are…
Australian Apartment Shows How Single Stairs Make Small Buildings Better
New housing is needed all over North America, but most multifamily real estate development is done by big companies with the resources to assemble land and fight their way through…
What Is a Heat Pump Water Heater?
A heat pump water heater uses a heat pump to heat water for home use. It can replace traditional water tanks fueled by electricity, gas, propane, or oil, as well…
Architect Converts Victorian Factory Space Into Cozy Mini-Loft
Everywhere you look, there is a shortage of affordable housing in big cities all over the world. But building new housing isn’t necessarily the answer, as constructing from scratch involves…
Beautiful Hütt House Blends Biophilia With Passivhaus
We’ve been big fans of Passive House (or Passivhaus as it was originally called in Europe) for years. That’s because Passivhaus is an ultra-energy-efficient building standard that is designed to…
Rammed Earth & Wood Embrace the Sky in This Modern Cafe
When it comes to using locally sourced materials to build in a more sustainable way, nothing is more environmentally friendly than using the soil right under one’s feet. Building with…
Serene Seaside Retreat Is Built With Wood Scraps
The notion of using recycled materials to create new things is slowly but surely catching on, with a growing number of companies selling fashion, jewelry, and even bikes made from…
The Surprising Beauty and Benefits of Driftwood
Trees are pillars of their communities, a role they can maintain even in death. An upright dead tree offers vital habitat to certain birds and bats, for example, while a…
Warehouse Converted Into Beautiful Residence With Natural, Low-Tech Materials
The idea of renovating older buildings in order to give them a second life is not a new one. In the last several years, a growing chorus of experts has…