Vietnamese architecture firm SILAA has recently completed the Hachi Lily House, a nature-inspired retreat tucked into a pomelo tree-filled village near the city of Hue. The clients are a family who, after leaving the hustle and bustle of city living in search of a more peaceful lifestyle, asked the architects to design the home as the “base” for a future homestay project that will also be located on […]
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The Netherlands has launched a plan that will ban all carbon-emitting delivery vehicles in urban areas. The country has started by allowing only zero-emission delivery vehicles in 14 cities so far and has authorized all cities in the country to come up with zero-emission zones and logistics plans. The full ban is expected to go into effect by 2025. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The environment […]
Millions of Americans are exposed to toxic waste by living close to Superfund sites. There are more than 1,300 Superfund sites in the U.S., and a new study published in the journal Nature Communications has identified that these sites pose serious health impacts to citizens. The health risks include the potential to shorten life expectancy by one year. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The study was […]
The truth is we can all take steps every day to protect, honor and serve the planet. However, Earth Day, recognized this year on April 22, 2021, presents a plethora of focused ways to engage with fellow activists, environmentalists and scientists. The Earth Day Initiative consolidates your options in one online location at EarthDay.org. Here are just a few ways to get involved locally or virtually […]
When Network of Architecture (noa*) was asked to expand the traditional South Tyrolean restaurant Schönblick with a new hotel, the firm knew that preserving the site’s spectacular views would be a key design objective. As a result, the architects opted against adding a new level in favor of embedding the hospitality spaces into an existing hill — a solution that noa* says not only retains views […]
After 33 years of working in an old drafty building in Oxfordshire, international nonprofit CABI has upgraded to a new low-energy home that combines beautiful design with employee wellness and environmental sustainability. Designed by global design firm Scott Brownrigg, CABI’s new purpose-built headquarters in Wallingford provides two stories of flexible office space for its 180 staff members, who work towards solving problems in agriculture and the environment […]
New Zealand has introduced a new law that will require all financial institutions to report the impacts of climate change on their businesses. Companies within the financial sector, like banks and insurers, must give a detailed report of climate change impacts on their businesses as well as information on how they handle climate-related risks and opportunities. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos New Zealand’s Commerce and […]
David Valentine, a marine scientist at the University of California, has discovered barrels of DDT on the ocean floor just 10 miles off the coast of Southern California. Valentine had long suspected the presence of toxic contamination in this area, but his attempts to get help from government agencies have been futile. However, his recent discovery has government institutions and leaders showing interest. Continue reading below […]
BobaWare is the result of a months-long brainstorm by classmates determined to reduce the waste caused by the production and consumption of boba and bubble tea. As the popularity of the drinks has exploded in the United States, so has the associated consumption of single-use plastic cups. The start-up’s first product, launched on Indiegogo on March 23, is BobaGlass, a reusable boba bottle, specifically made to highlight […]
Located in the Italian city of Turin, this residential building from the ’60s has undergone a sustainable renovation with energy-efficient upgrades. Though the new structure is virtually unrecognizable from its former design, the building kept its original skeleton and overall shape and volume. Now, it has been reinforced to improve its earthquake-resistance and completely restyled to give it a modern feel. Continue reading below Our Featured […]
Brooklyn-based design firm Efficiency Lab for Architecture has recently transformed an existing, three-story commercial office building into the Community Information Center, a marketing center for Avenues: The World School’s new campus in San Jose, California. Located in a former office park, the Community Information Center redefines the nondescript environment with a fresh building entrance framed by redwood trees and a series of artsy concrete portals that […]
Ten years after an earthquake and tsunami caused meltdowns at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, Japan has announced plans to release contaminated water from the plant into the ocean. China, South Korea and the local fishing industry are opposed to this move. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos Workers used more than 1 million metric tons of water to cool the three reactors that melted down […]
Marine life is migrating from the equator to the tropics, according to a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study shows that many species known to reside in the equator’s warm waters are migrating to cooler waters. Scientists behind the study have linked this situation to global warming, saying that water at the equator has become too warm for some species. […]
How can people live in harmony with global warming and rising water levels? In Amsterdam, a group of forward-thinking people decided to go with the flow. Schoonschip, a self-sustaining floating community of more than 100 residents, boasts innovative technology like 500 solar panels and a green roof on every house. This brave and fascinating experiment demonstrates how humans can adapt to the changing planet while forging […]
International design firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel (ACPV) has unveiled designs for the Cascina Merlata Lot R7/2, a social housing complex that will function as a “city within the city” where residents can walk or ride their bicycles to everything they need for their daily lives. Created as part of the Cascina Merlata pedestrian-friendly masterplan that ACPV developed back in 2011, the new, 12,600-square-meter residential complex […]
When Czech architecture firm NEW HOW Architects was asked to design a holiday home in the Ore Mountains, it decided to craft a nature-inspired residence that would go against the trend of white-plaster houses in the area. Rather than design a house that stands out in the landscape, the architects opted for a darker facade so that the retreat — dubbed Weekend House Nové Hamry — […]
After a long debate, the French National Assembly has voted to suspend all domestic flights on routes that can be traveled by direct train in less than 2.5 hours. In a move that has been received with mixed reactions, the Assemblée Nationale has diluted the proposal put forward by President Emmanuel Macron’s citizen’s climate convention. While some think the move is a win for the climate, […]
This year’s National Rhino Count in Nepal showed a promising gain in the odd-toed ungulates. The 2021 numbers are up 16% for a total of 752 rhinos, according to results released by Nepal’s government this week. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The rhino count started on March 22 and ran through April 10. It covered popular rhino ranging areas such as Parsa, Chitwan, Bardia and […]
Sequins have long been a source of concern for environmentally conscious fashion designers. Made of tiny bits of shiny or translucent plastic, they are a significant contributor to ocean microplastics and fashion-derived plastic waste. Designers Charlotte McCurdy and Phillip Lim have created a couture dress made of algae sequins to address this very issue, proving that fashionable materials like sequins don’t have to come at a […]
What will the world be like once pollinating insects, like the honeybee, are gone? Alternatively, what would happen if we allowed these important creatures to thrive? The European Commission’s Pollinator Park strives to answer these questions with a stark look at what the future could look like, for better or worse. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos Pollinator Park is a 30-minute, virtual experience that is […]
Set for completion in 2023, the Toranomon-Azabudai Urban Redevelopment Project is a collaboration between urban landscape developer Mori Building Co. and luxury hotel operator Aman. Apart from boasting 24,000 square meters of green space, the entire neighborhood will use 100% renewable energy and seek WELL and LEED certification. If the project achieves these goals, it would be one of the largest areas on Earth to receive both certifications. […]
A new study published in the journal Lake and Reservoir Management has found that a dangerous toxin known as anatoxin-a (ATX) could be airborne around bodies of water with algal blooms. The toxin could be released from scum found on ponds and lakes into the surrounding air. Also known as the “Very Fast Death Factor”, ATX has many negative effects on fish, other animals and ecosystems at […]
While more and more cities plan an end to sales of vehicles powered by fossil fuels and car manufacturers announce goals to go all electric, there’s a major complication. Where will all the metal for EV batteries come from? Some companies are looking toward deep-sea mining, which could have a whole new set of dire consequences. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos “These spaces out in […]
Vienna-based architecture firm OEOOO has transformed and expanded a disused farmhouse into the Hehl Tenne House, a warm and inviting multigenerational home wrapped in timber inside and out. Located in the rural outskirts of the Lower Bregenzerwald (Bregenz Forest) village of Lingenau, the original agricultural building had sat empty after the family farm shut down decades ago. The adaptive reuse project presented the perfect opportunity to […]
Moscow-based firm Kerimov Architects has crafted a custom, luxury home for a new villa community in Repino, Leningrad that follows Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture by knitting the built environment into the natural landscape. Dubbed the House in Repino, the project, which is still in the design phase, will include nearly 11,000 square feet of living space and focus on minimizing the removal of […]
Whether you plan to swim laps, go diving or just sunbathe in the backyard, Aerie’s new collection of sustainable swimwear is sure to make a splash. Made from recycled nylon, the REAL GOOD Swim line offers comfortable swimsuits in vibrant colors and playful patterns. The brand is aligning with the summer’s most anticipated trends, like ruffles and leopard prints. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The […]
When people think of the world’s toughest vehicles, an electric car doesn’t spring to mind. But rugged U.K. adventurer Chris Ramsey is planning to cover 17,000 miles from the South Pole to the magnetic North Pole in electric vehicles. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos Ramsey has been planning his upcoming journey for four years. The route will take him across 14 countries and three continents, […]
Sea level rise is killing forests in protected areas on the eastern U.S. coast, according to a recent report. The research, carried out by PhD candidate Emily Ury of Duke University in collaboration with eight other universities, has revealed that large chunks of forests have been destroyed by the effects of rising sea levels along the Atlantic coast and other parts of the world. The damage is […]
Energy efficiency, Japanese design and an emphasis on low site impact are combined at DOJO Saigon, a new light-filled judo training hall in Ho Chi Minh City. Designed by Southeast Asian design firm T3 Architects, the building has a unique, international character thanks to its design modeled after traditional Japanese dojos and its location in the garden of an old French-style villa in Vietnam’s largest and […]
After 3 years of development, Italian architecture firm Frigerio Design Group has completed fabrication engineering company Zamasport’s new headquarters, a fabric-inspired building that is mostly powered with solar energy. Designed to follow the architecture firm’s philosophy of “slow architecture,” the sustainably minded headquarters prioritizes energy efficiency and worker wellness with the use of natural light, acoustic comfort and greenery incorporated throughout the building. The use of […]
Artist Hugo McCloud, known for using unusual medium choices such as aluminum sheeting, tar paper, scrap metal and solder, spent his quarantine in Mexico, layering together tiny pieces of plastic bag waste. The result is a 31-piece exhibition dubbed Burdened, recently on display at the Sean Kelly Gallery in Hudson Yards, New York. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The artwork is a statement against the […]
“Seaspiracy” is trying to save the oceans, and the new Netflix documentary and movement is making strides. Already, it’s convinced Slowood, a grocery store in Hong Kong, to phase out the sale of fish products. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The documentary is produced by Kip Anderson, who also brought the world “Cowspiracy” and “What the Health.” “Seaspiracy” teaches viewers about the global fishing industry’s […]
New research published in the journal Nature Communications shows that the deepest parts of the Great Lakes are warming up. While it has been known that global warming causes increased ice melting and rising ocean temperatures, little has been said about the impact of climate change on deep lake waters. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The study found that the deepest parts of the Great Lakes have […]
Non-fungible tokens (or NFTs) are the newest players in the cryptocurrency market, and their environmental impact may surprise you. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos What’s an NFT? Let me start by saying, I’m not a tech writer. I’m a sustainability writer. So, I’ll explain the best I can with the knowledge and tools I have. At this point, you’ve probably heard about blockchain and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. […]
New York-based collective The Brooklyn Home Company has designed a passive townhouse in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City. The townhouse, which was designed using Passive House principles, features four floors, a rooftop patio and a basement. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The designers incorporated natural wood and soft tones into multiple aspects of the home to go along with the […]
Earth’s skies have grown increasingly brighter over the years, as humans accelerate their love of electricity. Then came 2020, the year of lockdowns. One welcome side effect has been reduced light pollution. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos A recent U.K. star count organized by a charity called CPRE found that light pollution continues to drop, with a 10% reduction since last year. Between February 6 […]
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is concerned over increasing incidences of bears with rare neurological disorders showing up in residential areas. This follows an incident where a small black bear showed up at a utility building site last month in Pollock Pines in El Dorado County. The young bear was far too small, covered in ticks and looked weak; it did not exhibit normal bear […]
Riverfront revitalization and sustainable adaptive reuse combine at the Beloit College Powerhouse, a Studio Gang-designed student union focused on recreation and wellness. Completed last year, the award-winning Powerhouse project included a complete overhaul of the Blackhawk Generating Station — a collection of historic buildings constructed in the early 20th century along the Rock River — as well as the addition of a new field house. The design […]
Nespresso’s parent company, Nestlé, has certainly come under fire for things like bottling water in California during historic droughts and sourcing water near Flint, Michigan in the past. While the company attempts to offset the environmental impact of its coffee business via a recycling program, Nespresso will also highlight sustainability through art. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos Nespresso is bringing together four artists from New York, Los Angeles, Miami […]
Fully customizable and created especially for use in interior design, Benetti Moss from Italy-based company Benetti Home is a unique take on personalized, maintenance-free green walls. These vertical gardens, made from 100% natural and stabilized lichen moss, don’t attract dust or insects and are adaptable to almost every type of interior space. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The lichen is Cladonia stellaris, which comes from […]
The U.K. government, under the Blue Belt program, has announced its plan to install underwater camera rigs for monitoring ocean wildlife in its overseas territories. The entire project will be funded by the U.K., making it the largest ocean monitoring system in the world. The Blue Belt program covers over 4 million square kilometers of ocean space, which the U.K. government has pledged to protect. Continue reading below […]
A leak in a wastewater pond caused a state of emergency in Manatee County, Florida last weekend. More than 300 homes were evacuated in case the reservoir at a former phosphate mine collapsed. If the 400 million-gallon reservoir were to totally collapse, residents could face a 20-foot wall of water in less than an hour’s time. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos To avoid a burst […]
Early last year, Mexican architecture firm fabian m escalante h | arquitectos completed a holiday home in the central highlands of Mexico for a family who sought respite from city living. Designed to help its inhabitants recharge in nature, the residence — named Terraza / Rancho Sierra Allende — embraces the landscape from all directions with large insulated glazing and outdoor terraces. The elevated retreat also […]
The Banyan Tree Group is celebrated globally for its commitment to sustainable practices in the hotel industry. This company goes above and beyond by sponsoring environmental clean-ups and educational programs in its host communities, establishing restoration zones near its properties and even donating surplus food to locals who may need it. Now, Banyan Tree Group has announced a global expansion for 2021 that includes adding 35 […]
After living as a modern nomad for years, Ondřej Koníček finally decided to settle down by realizing his dream cabin on a 20,000-square-meter wooded property in southeast Czech Republic. Fueled by his love for the nature, Koníček tapped Czech architecture firm Ateliér Lina Bellovičová to design House LO, an eco-friendly, green-roofed home that not only embraces landscape views but is also built with hempcrete — a […]
When Sir David Attenborough talks, we listen. That’s why we just couldn’t miss the March 31 premiere of “Extinction – The Facts” presented by PBS. Lifelong broadcaster and natural historian David Attenborough talks viewers through the consequences of the global extinction crisis along with some of the world’s leading scientists and wildlife experts. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The report not only reveals how serious […]
Water scarcity due to persistent droughts in California’s Central Valley is forcing scientists and farmers to find innovative and sustainable ways of utilizing this precious resource. Through collaboration, the community has found ways of reusing water several times in a bid to fully tap into its benefits. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The process of conservation and recycling starts just a few miles downstream of […]
If you’ve always considered the humble radish as a garnish, an afterthought or a minor player in salads, these radish recipes may surprise you. Late winter to spring is the best time for this vegetable. Here are a few things to do with those radishes you might find in your yard, your community supported agriculture box or product section at the grocery store. But first, a […]
With retirement and grandchildren on the horizon, a Manhattanite couple reached out to GRT Architects to design their new home in Upstate New York’s Dutchess County. Since the clients were on the fence about leaving New York City, the architects started by building a small studio that sensitively frames views of the 24-acre site’s pastoral landscape. Simply dubbed the Dutchess County Studio, the 800-square-foot dwelling provides an elegant […]
You’ve heard the expression that you can’t see the forest because of the trees? Well, Ivona Ercegovic looked at a forest and saw the future. This eco-kind project in a Croatian forest offers a retreat and event space unlike any other. The unique concept is based on treehouses. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The project will have four themed treehouses, each one representing a basic […]
A joint statement released by leading green construction organizations has raised concerns about the increasing demand and use of antimicrobial chemicals in building materials. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in antimicrobial construction products, such as countertops and doorknobs. But experts warn these products could actually do more harm than good. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The statement looks at key areas […]
President Joe Biden has unveiled a $2.2 trillion masterplan that will see investments in infrastructure and job creation for Americans. The plan is designed to reshape the economy by investing in infrastructure and social support. If the plan is fully implemented, it will be the largest U.S. domestic investment in many years. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The investment will have far-reaching effects in reshaping […]
In Portland’s South Waterfront, the Knight Cancer Research Building at Oregon Health & Science University is using a “team science” approach to help scientists and researchers find cures to cancer. Designed by Seattle-based design firm SRG Partnership, the cancer research facility features wellness-focused workspaces that encourage collaboration and innovation across different disciplines. As a beacon of sustainability, the building has also been certified LEED Platinum for […]
Rotterdam-based architecture office Powerhouse Company has unveiled designs for Valckensteyn, a circular and sustainable building expected to become the largest timber-built affordable housing complex in the Netherlands. Commissioned by housing corporation Woonstad Rotterdam, the pioneering, 12-story project will feature 11 stories built of cross-laminated timber without the use of adhesives to allow the building to be demounted and reassembled elsewhere as needed. Continue reading below Our […]
Community building recently received a boost in Toronto’s bustling downtown core with the completion of the new $65 million Canoe Landing Campus, a social nexus that combines a community recreation center, public and Catholic elementary schools and a childcare center under a massive shared green roof. Designed by local firm ZAS Architects, the new campus provides a much-needed social infrastructure to CityPlace, one of the city’s most […]
An investigation, carried out by Consumer Reports in association with The Guardian, has revealed that there are alarming levels of contamination in water consumed across the U.S. In the investigation, more than 120 samples of water were tested for arsenic, lead and PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), among other contaminants. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The water in question serves more than 19 million people […]
The earliest cherry blossoming ever recorded is happening in Kyoto, Japan. While a colorful bust of cherry blossoms is not uncommon at this time of the year, the peak flowering season in 2021 has come earlier than has ever been recorded. Scientists now link this phenomenon to the warm spring experienced in the Northern Hemisphere. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos Cherry blossom season has been […]
New York City is famously a center for culture and creativity in the U.S. But even in a city that’s filled with so much to see and do, one art exhibit is standing out among the crowd. Artist Dionnys Matos is using art to draw attention to sustainability and why it matters so much, what it means for the Earth and how it can be used […]
Vincent Callebaut Architectures has unveiled a bold vision to transform the heart of Lille, France into a carbon-neutral district capable of producing more energy than it uses. Proposed for the site of the former Lycée Michel Servet, the project is called ‘Archiborescence’ — a combination of the words architecture and arborescence — after its emphasis on biodiversity and solid wood construction. To meet energy self sufficiency […]
Washington, D.C.’s Buzzard Point, a post-industrial stretch of waterfront at the intersection of the Anacostia and Potomac rivers, is getting a new lease on life with the recent opening of Watermark, the area’s first luxury apartment building that is also LEED Gold-certified. Designed by Antunovich Associates, the project began with the renovation of a 1970s 11-story office building — formerly home to the U.S. Coast Guard […]
Rolls-Royce, Tecnam and Scandinavia’s largest airline, Widerøe, have entered into a partnership that will see the launch of an all-electric aircraft for passengers by 2026. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos Rolls-Royce and Widerøe first entered a joint research program in 2019, which was aimed at developing a viable electric aircraft to fulfill Norway’s ambition of having only zero-emission domestic flights by 2040. Due to its […]
On Monday, President Biden announced that he intends for the U.S. electricity sector to be carbon neutral by 2035. His sights are set on lots of wind energy and lots of jobs. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos Later this year, the Interior Department intends to begin selling leases for a new wind energy area between the Jersey coast and Long Island. These relatively shallow waters are known […]
In the heart of Copenhagen, C.F. Møller Architects has completed the Carlsberg Central Office, a new office of the Carlsberg Group on the same hill that the world-famous Carlsberg Breweries was first established in 1847. Blending historic design influences with a modern aesthetic, the Carlsberg Central Office is a landmark building for the Carlsberg City District, a new 600,000-square-meter, mixed-use neighborhood with residences, offices, retail and […]
Award-winning glamping company AutoCamp has announced plans to bring its design-led Airstream suites and luxurious tent accommodations to three new iconic destinations: California’s Joshua Tree National Park, Utah’s Zion National Park and the Catskill Mountains in New York. Slated to open in Fall 2021 and Spring 2022, the new expansion effectively doubles the footprint of the outdoor lodging brand, which was created to immerse guests in […]
In the Swiss municipality of Bussigny, Crissier-based architecture practice Bertola & Cie – SIA has completed the 65 Degree Group Housing project, a collection of low-energy housing units that are deliberately oriented at 65 degrees to optimize solar collection and to ensure private garden spaces for every dwelling. Created as an “alternative to densification,” the housing complex consists of a mix of simplex and duplex typologies that cater […]
Global food storage is exposed to significant dangers following a rise in global temperatures. Farmers and food processor companies require foods to stay in their fresh state for several days, if not months, after harvesting. Most farmers store their food in spaces that do not require any special equipment. However, with rising global temperatures, these spaces are becoming increasingly delicate. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos […]
When most people swing by the store to pick up a few items, they aren’t aware that they are basically entering a minefield of toxic chemicals. But the fifth annual Who’s Minding the Store? retailer report card reveals which major retailers are safer and which ones should probably be entered only after donning hazmat suits. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos Toxic-Free Future is behind the […]
In the villa community of “Okolitsa” on the outskirts of Moscow, Kerimov Architects has designed a conceptual luxury home with a total area of over 16,000 square feet. Set inside a forested landscape, the House in Okolitsa takes inspiration from the site’s complex topography for its rhythmic architecture that resembles a series of terraces. The Moscow-based architects designed the home with a natural materials palette to […]
Architectural firm Brooks + Scarpa recently unveiled its design concept for the new Miami Beach Aquatic Center and Park. Among two pools and thousands of square feet worth of retail and community space, the project will highlight local plants and trees with native landscaping. The project is one of three finalists for the new community area in Florida. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The community […]
When the Baboolals looked around their North Carolina community, they saw what many people see in their local areas: cookie-cutter houses that consume excess energy. A desire to break free from this mold is how their journey to create a net-zero house began. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos Working with architect Arielle Condoret Schechter, the Baboolals outlined a few essentials for the home. First, the […]
The once shrinking population of bald eagles has quadrupled over the past 12 years, according to a new survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The study has found that there are over 316,000 bald eagles in the lower 48 states of the U.S., with over 70,000 breeding pairs. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there […]
As countries around the world increasingly embrace electric vehicles, charging is top of mind. In Scotland, the island of Yell is powering its EVs with tidal energy. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos Nova Innovation has built an underwater network of revolving tidal turbines anchored to the ocean floor. You can’t see them from above, and they’re designed to pose no navigational hazards. One thing is […]
When a family decided to relocate from Silicon Valley to the Utah ski town of Park City, they tapped local design studio Klima Architecture to realize their dream of an energy-efficient home. Known for its carbon-efficient designs, the firm exceeded expectations with its design of the Meadows Haus, a Passive House-certified home with a 10 kW solar shade canopy, airtight construction and recycled and low-VOC materials […]
Furniture startup Staxxiom has unveiled its new “no tools, no hassle” furniture products, a line of patented, click-to-assemble furnishings built from natural, eco-friendly materials. Created with the promise that every product can be assembled in less than 2 minutes, Staxxiom’s flat-pack furnishings were conceived as an easier and higher quality alternative to brands such as IKEA. Staxxiom’s first market launch debuted on Kickstarter in late February. […]
Currently under construction, the Zaha Hadid Architects-designed Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Art Centre will soon provide the southern Chinese city with a stunning new hub for contemporary creativity. Located on a lake in the heart of Zhuhai’s Western Ecological New Town in the Jinwan district, the sculptural building combines four cultural institutions under one roof: a 1,200-seat grand theater; a 500-seat multifunctional hall; a science center; and […]
An official assessment on African elephants conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has revealed that the elephants are more endangered than previously thought. The assessment now ranks African forest elephants as critically endangered and African savanna elephants as endangered. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos Previously, elephants were only classified as either African or Asian. However, African elephants include two species, the […]
A recent paper published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science has established that there is a connection between deforestation and the occurrence of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases. The study indicates that deforestation has led to increased outbreaks of viruses similar to COVID-19 and also facilitates the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos Of more concern is the fact that the […]
Chewing gum: it’s a type of plastic pollution that we’re just not talking about enough. Most modern chewing gums are made from synthetic plastic polymers that don’t break down or biodegrade. That means when you toss your used chewing gum on the sidewalk or stick it underneath a bench, you’re littering. Not only that, but chewing gum is commonly mistaken for food by wild animals (especially […]
Easter is a time of celebration, exuberant children and family bonding. While traditions vary around the world, attending church is common practice, as are egg hunts, Easter baskets and family dinners. All that hustle and prep can equate to copious plastic waste. Avoid contributing additional plastic to the landfill with a plan focused on alternatives instead. Choose durable, long-lasting baskets Whether the Easter baskets in your […]
Lucas Couto, Senior Industrial Designer at EGGS Design in Norway, is focused on turning plastic pollution into innovative recycled designs. The designer has teamed up with plastic recycling company Precious Plastic to help reveal the potential of plastic waste in the design space. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos According to Precious Plastic, the world produces about 300 million metric tons of new plastic each year. And since plastic […]
Banks are taking greenwashing to a whole new level. Despite climate-conscious PR, they are still putting their money toward financing fossil fuel projects, according to the new Banking on Climate Chaos report. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos In the last five years, while acceptance of climate change has gone more mainstream, the 60 largest commercial and private investment banks in the world financed the fossil […]
The migration cycle of harp seals is greatly threatened following a significant decrease in sea ice cover in Canada’s Gulf of St. Lawrence. This year, the gulf has experienced its lowest amount sea ice since measuring began. The lack of sea ice poses a serious threat to harp seals, whose lifecycles start on the gulf and depend on its ice. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos […]
Architectural design takes all forms, with a focus from the ground up. But UOOU, an Amsterdam- and London-based design practice, came up with an architectural proposal that doesn’t consider the ground at all. Instead, the team focused on creating a housing solution for a group of atolls floating in the South Pacific Ocean, somewhere between Hawaii and Australia. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos Gianluca Santosuosso and […]
Thanks to New Delhi-based interior decor and architecture firm Envisage, the Mann School in Alipur has a new girl’s hostel featuring sustainable elements like all-natural thermal insulation and solar panels. The White Flower Hall girls dormitory boasts all the creature comforts to build a haven for the school’s female students, helping to make them feel at home during their studies. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos […]
Named for former NBA star Earvin “Magic” Johnson in 1994 and known as the largest park in South Los Angeles, the 126-acre Magic Johnson Park has recently undergone a sustainable renovation. Some of the updates include a stormwater capture and recycling system as well as a new landscaping design focused on the native plants of California. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The project is led […]
Starting in the years after World War II, Black neighborhoods around the U.S. were destroyed and replaced with highways in the name of urban renewal. But people in Harris County, Texas have had enough. The county is suing the state to stop an I-45 expansion that would displace more than 1,000 households and would mostly affect people of color and low-income residents. Continue reading below Our […]
Prepare for more drought in the West and flooding in the East, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s spring outlook report. Most of the western half of the country is already in moderate to exceptional drought conditions, which, unfortunately, is likely to expand into the most significant spring drought since 2013. The drought could impact about 74 million people. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos “The […]
Spanish architecture firm Andrea Solé Arquitectura has given new life to the ruins of Can Tomeu, a historic Catalan building from the 1800s that is now a modern, self-sufficient home. In addition to sensitively restoring and reinforcing the remaining walls from the original construction, the architects expanded the building footprint with an annex and inserted site-sensitive materials that imbue the home with a sense of warmth. […]
Illinois-based designer and builder Wil Fidroeff has been helping people build their own dome homes for the past 30 years. His company, Faze Change Produx, creates six models of 10-sided DIY dome home building kits utilizing wood and thermoplastic polyolefin, a type of single-ply roofing material that is low-cost and highly durable. The EconOdome frame and triangle panel kits come pre-cut and partially assembled with detailed […]
Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Stefano Boeri Architetti have won an international competition to regenerate Milan’s Porta Nuova Gioia area with the sustainable renovation and expansion of the Pirelli 39 tower. Commissioned by real estate investment fund company COIMA SGR, the mixed-use project will not only inject new life into the region with the creation of over 5,000 jobs but will also be designed to meet […]
Florida’s warm temperatures and lush flora help new residents thrive — but some of those transplants are eating the very ecosystem that’s sustaining them. And we’re not talking about New Yorkers. No, certain newbies of the herpetological kind have become reptiles non grata, and Florida is saying “no more.” Last month, the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission unanimously decided to ban possession and breeding of […]
Scientists and state agencies are concerned about the resurgence of the murder hornet, a giant flying insect known for its dangerous sting and ability to destroy an entire bee colony in just hours. Experts are warning the public that this invasive species’ hibernation is coming to an end, and scientists need help eradicating them before they become a bigger problem. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos […]
You’ve probably been to plenty of festivals, trade fairs and other events where you stopped at booths to sample food, shop for cool items or just browse around a bit. But you may have never stuck around to see what happens after the fair is over and all those stalls are discarded. This process can cause a great deal of waste — and this is exactly […]
In the misty tea terraces of southwest China, Hangzhou-based architecture practice gad · line+ studio has recently completed an eco-sensitive redevelopment project to help a rural village attract tourism revenue. Commissioned by major Chinese property developer Sunac and the Youcheng Foundation of the State Council Poverty Alleviation Office, the “targeted poverty alleviation” project included 2,400 square meters of renovation, new construction and landscape beautification to transform […]
Made from recycled, ocean-bound plastic, the Cadence magnetic, refillable containers offer a sustainable, convenient and stylish solution to single-use travel bottles. From shampoo to vitamins and skincare to jewelry, the customizable, honeycomb-shaped capsules stick together magnetically to keep everything organized in your travel bag. Perhaps the best part? Cadence uses a proprietary blend of recycled plastic specially designed to keep products secure and fresh. According to […]
Last spring, many environmentalists were cheering about the lockdowns’ side effects, such as reduced air pollution. While cars stayed parked and the air got cleaner for a few months, wildfires negated any lasting improvements. A new report from IQAir breaks down the winners and losers — mostly losers — in the air pollution battle. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos “You look at August through December, […]
The bottom trawling fishing technique is more harmful to the environment than previously thought, according to a new study. While it has long been known that this method captures fish indiscriminately, there was no available data on its carbon footprint. A recent study now shows that this method of fishing releases carbon emissions from ocean beds. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The study, published in […]
An eco-friendly architectural solution to quarantining during the pandemic has popped up in Barcelona’s Collserola park. A team of students and researchers from the Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) Valldaura Labs recently completed The Voxel, a solar-powered “quarantine” cabin built entirely of hyper-local structural CLT in just 5 months. The cabin accommodates a single occupant in a space that not only offers comfortable self-confinement […]
As part of a design exercise, MEAN* (Middle East Architecture Network) has created three 3D-printed proposals for contemporary majlis, an Arabic architecture term that typically refers to the detached area of a home used as a front parlor for receiving and entertaining guests. Created to push the boundaries of 3D printing in concrete, MEAN*’s three majlis designs — the Capsule Pod, the Fluid Space and the […]