But what if buildings – walls, roofs, floors, windows – were actually alive – grown, maintained and healed by living materials? Imagine architects using genetic tools that encode the architecture of a building right into the DNA of organisms, which then grow buildings that self-repair, interact with their inhabitants and adapt to the environment. THE CORRESPONDENT
Read MoreIt’s cheap, light, quick, fireproof and has a tiny carbon footprint compared to concrete. No wonder the ‘great forgotten material of our time’ is staging a comeback. THE GUARDIAN
Read MoreIn an effort to build a more sustainable future, architects and policy makers are nodding to the past with structures entirely made of timber. Next up in this timber trend: a Copenhagen neighbourhood built fully with wood, with housing for 7,000 people, a school, and a focus on integrating nature with city life. FAST COMPANY
Read MoreThe development will produce a large chunk of its energy needs, has a fully-functioning urban farm, collects and recycles its water and the amount of toxic materials used in its construction has been kept to a minimum. THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
Read MoreFloors which use an arched design can be thinner, lighter and use fewer materials than conventional slabs which use steel reinforcement. The design could also allow them to be made out of non-traditional materials. BBC NEWS
Read MoreDubbed the Eco Villa, the 2,000-square-foot modern home slots in perfectly with its green and environmentally minded surroundings with an emphasis on natural materials, sustainability and the use of renewable energy. INHABITAT
Read MoreWith concrete a major source of climate-changing emissions, cities around the world are looking at high-rise wooden buildings instead. THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION
Read MoreNew York-based North River Architecture & Planning recently added another energy-efficient build to its growing portfolio of environmentally friendly projects — the Accord Passive House, a modern home that has not only achieved PHIUS+ Certification but also boasts no net energy costs annually. INHABITAT
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