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Today, we are witnessing several projects and approaches in architecture that explore alternatives to energy-intensive building systems, materials , and technologies commonly used in today's construction. These projects, far from adopting approaches that reject technology, seek to promote conscious architectural practices.
This waste has a promising potential to replace energy-intensive building systems, such as concrete and brick, by providing building materials that combine sustainability and structural efficiency. Read more »
Image Courtesy of CO-LAB design office In a world grappling with environmental challenges, forward-thinking architects and engineers are increasingly leaning towards more sustainable solutions. While steel and concrete have long dominated the construction industry, bamboo is now stepping into the limelight as a compelling alternative.
They were designed as landmarks, inspired by themes of circularity, community, and sustainability. The structures respond to the LFA’s theme of “Reimagine,” in which they utilize everyday materials in innovative ways to encourage reflection on material recycling , reuse , and climate change.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have introduced a new robotic 3D printing method for cement-free low-carbon materials for a circular economy. Their aim was to "increase the cost competitiveness of sustainable building materials through efficient and automated production." Image: Girts Apskalns.
Department of Energy ’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Maine are leading interesting new engineering research into floor cassettes made using recyclable natural materials that are strong enough to be used in multi-story buildings. The project came together at the initiative of the SHoP offshoot Assembly OSM.
Free from many conventional functional constraints, these structures allow for artistic expression and the testing of new technologies. By using temporary structures as a testing ground for more sustainable practices, architects can experiment with alternative materials and environmentally conscious approaches that address the climate crisis.
To decarbonize architecture and control global emissions, it is important to rethink and reduce the upfront or embodied carbon impacts of demolitions, as well as implement sustainable construction strategies for buildings. Read more »
Courtesy of Purman Polyurethane (PU) started as a solution to a 1930s shortage, but today it's a key material in industries from insulation to cushioning. To address this, companies like Purman are leading the charge in recycling PU waste, helping to reduce its environmental impact while promoting more sustainable alternatives.
It allows the creation of multifunctional and flexible spaces that respond not only to practical needs but also to the aesthetic and sustainable demands of modern architecture. With cutting-edge materials and new technologies, prefabrication offers customized and adaptable solutions for modern living. Read more »
Office Kim Lenschow aims to draw attention to this and to provoke critical thinking in relation to architecture and the materials that make it. By focusing on small-scale, mostly residential projects, the office seeks to reveal this hidden narrative of materials and cultivate more awareness and engagement with the structures surrounding us.
A research team out of the University of Virginia (UVA) has developed a new innovative and sustainable approach to building that utilizes the power of 3D printing to create structures made of soil implanted with seeds. This method breaks away from the ty.
Solid ceramic blocks, recognized for their ability to withstand compression and offer strength and durability to structures, are materials frequently used in architecture. However, innovation in construction materials has made space for solutions that combine tradition and modernity, transforming the use of materials such as brick.
The evolution of facades reflects advancements in materials, technology, and design flexibility. In earlier times, facades used simple materials like brick, stone, and wood, offering structural support while showcasing regional styles. STACBOND exemplifies this innovation, enabling creative, sustainable design solutions.
Several residential architects are now of the opinion that when looking for a new roof, homeowners could invest in a sustainable roofing system. However, most sustainable roofs have at least one of these factors, so you are good. Let’s look at the sustainable alternative to roofing materials. How to Proceed.
Image Courtesy of EcoCocon For a long time, the construction industry has followed a linear process - extract raw materials, build structures, demolish them, and then dispose of the garbage in landfills. Straw-wall panels. This approach has serious negative effects on the environment and society and is inherently unsustainable.
The AIA has announced the winners of the 2022 Upjohn Research Initiative , an annual grant which awards funding to research projects advancing sustainability in architecture. The 2022 edition sees up to $30,000 awarded to five research projects, with topics ranging from biodegradable structures to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
Since 1970, EPS has been used in building construction due to its thermal insulation properties, lightweight closed-cell structure, durable strength, and long-term integrity. Read more »
The 2023 iteration of the group show draws attention to expressions of sustainability in its numerous forms, ranging from a focus on the environment and urban landscape to the unfolding conversations on innovation, reuse, community, and inclusion.
Courtesy of Cbdesign Furniture made from natural materials is widely valued for its beauty and texture, especially when it comes to wood, bamboo, reed, and rattan. Additionally, their lack of uniformity and strength can compromise consistent quality, while harvesting the raw materials can have negative environmental impacts.
Photo credit: Jaime Navarro Photo credit: Rafael Gamo By prioritizing three design imperatives (functional simplicity, sustainablematerials, and the primacy of sanctuary), the CCA says they were able to establish space that helps support its client's mission of fostering arts engagement with the community while simultaneously giving back to nature.
A historic milestone in the use of mass timber as a construction material is about to be passed as Korb + Associates Architects ’ aptly-named Ascent tower is finally set to open tomorrow, July 15, in Milwaukee. Standing 25 stories and a total of 86.6 meters (or roughly 4 feet). Standing 25 stories and a total of 86.6
Image Cortesia de BDG Architects Zwolle Greenhouses are elegant and ingenious structures that incorporate simplicity in design while creating light-filled spaces that shape indoor climates. With walls and roofs composed mainly of transparent or translucent materials, these structures harness solar energy to create a controlled environment.
The main goal of the display is to draw attention to sustainable, accessible, and equitable futures while highlighting the value of alternative responses to resource constraints. These installations offer innovative perspectives on adaptability, sustainability, and cultural significance within the architectural landscape. Read more »
Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories recognizing designers that are building a greener industry and a better future. Progress is only be guaranteed when we wrap our heads around what it sustainable development really means. Digging deeper, there are key wins with sustainable architecture.
Foster + Partners has unveiled designs for a nine-story, timber -structure department store in Tokyo , presenting an elegant retail space that features several green-building practices. Called the Shibuya Marui Department Store, the space is set to become a new showcase for sustainable lifestyle brands.
Though interest in rammed earth declined in the 20th century, some continue to advocate its use today, citing its sustainability in comparison to more modern construction methods. Most notably, rammed earth structures use local materials, meaning they have low embodied energy and produce little waste. Read more »
Set within a rapidly developing area of Shanghai , the 11-storey structure is covered by a curved technological roof that follows the stepping structure. The project is conceived as a showcase of the company's vision of food production, with an extensive sustainability agenda encompassing various strategies.
The material, once seemingly forgotten by modernity, has resurged with full force, facing significant challenges but also revealing promising opportunities. Due to technological advancements and research into the limits and possibilities of this material, there has been a significant leap in the development of wood in construction.
This integration into the surrounding urban landscape, with the new structure serving as a focal point in a newly reimagined neighborhood square, was crucial to the project's success. Covering 18,000 m², the ceramic surfaces play a fundamental role in promoting visual comfort and unifying the entire structure. Read more »
Tackling this involves political will, the union of the state and private companies, and innovative solutions that prioritize accessibility, sustainability, and government mechanisms that enable a functioning system. Read more »
Called Kivi Sauna, the structure was designed by Helsinki -based design and architecture studio Sotamaa. The structure’s exterior is clad in Leadax, a waterproof membrane derived from recycled car windows, which functions as a sustainable replacement for traditional lead roofing.
A major demand currently facing the industry is the need to respond to the growing wave of environmental awareness and embrace sustainable development objectives. The requirement to address sustainability is driven by a growing social awareness of environmental issues.
With an oeuvre that blends respect for context, lightness and technology to create environmentally conscious and aesthetically pleasing structures, his approach combines advanced materials with traditional techniques. This is often made explicit in his sketches, as an initial concern, and clearly comes through in the finished works.
Cortesia de Maestro Mass timber has emerged as a sustainable alternative to replace concrete components in construction, as the latter alone contributes to 8% of global CO2 emissions. Timber emerges as an innovative construction material designed to minimize waste by preserving the natural contours of trees. In this context, A.I.
Following our previous look at an opening for a Design and Construction Manager at the Eames Institute , we are using this week’s edition of our Job Highlights series to explore an open role on Archinect Jobs for an Assistant Professor of Architectural Design, Structures, and Mass Timber at the University of Oregon. ’s Westside.
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