All articles tagged with #sustainable architecture
In Zunderdorp, The Netherlands, architects chose to preserve a modest 1970s farmhouse rather than demolish it. By wrapping the existing structure in a new black cladding envelope, they created 'Longhouse Farm,' a 2,580-square-foot home that meets energy-neutral and bio-based standards while retaining the original timber roof structure visible from the interior.
A design-forward feature highlights five rammed-earth homes and projects—from Brazil's Piracaia Eco-Village to Japan's Lib Earth House Model B, Slovenia's Rammed Earth House, Colorado's Casa Covida, and Bali's Ulaman Eco-Retreat—that demonstrate rammed earth as a low-carbon, thermally stable, long-lasting material that blends local soils, 3D printing, and biophilic design with rainwater harvesting, solar-readiness, and natural aesthetics.
Punta Cana House, designed by Mareines Arquitetura and Patalano Arquitetura, is a contemporary and sustainable residence located in the Dominican Republic. The single-story house features an organic structure that blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing for ample natural light and ventilation. The design incorporates unconventional architectural lines and utilizes advanced technology to withstand hurricane conditions. The interior is decorated with furniture from Brazilian designers, and the landscaping combines Brazilian and Dominican elements. The house offers stunning views of the Caribbean landscape and includes a rooftop garden and outdoor party area.
The first episode of a new documentary series explores Casa Jardín, a single-family home in Quito, Ecuador, designed for an ecologist named José. The residence features three small independent pavilions with hybrid structures that combine living trees with various construction systems. The project aims to achieve harmonious coexistence between architecture and the natural environment by incorporating regional building techniques and traditional legacies. The documentary series provides insights from residents, builders, guest critics, and the design team, highlighting the social, ecological, political, cultural, and human contexts surrounding these architectural endeavors.
RBK arquitectura has transformed an existing two-story chalet-style house into Casa Dominga, a sustainable family home. The project focused on enlarging the spaces and volumes to improve the quality of life for the family members. The design incorporated the reuse of materials from the existing house, including recovered roof trusses and wood from the construction process. Sustainability was a key aspect, with features such as rainwater collection, solar panels, cross ventilation, and water tanks with their own ecosystems. The layout of the house was organized to optimize orientation, visuals, and privacy. Casa Dominga blends with the surrounding landscape and creates a unique architectural personality.
As the climate crisis continues to threaten cities and reshape coastlines, some cities are incorporating water into their urban planning by working with, rather than against it. Bangkok, China, the Netherlands, the Maldives, and Copenhagen are among the cities adopting innovative solutions such as green spaces, sponge cities, floating homes, and climate parks to manage floods, retain water, and reduce the urban heat island effect. These efforts show the possibilities when cities stop seeing water only as a threat to be controlled by concrete.