#sustainable

Set in the wooded surroundings of Hollandsche Rading in the Dutch province of Utrecht, Black Gemstone was designed by MONK Architecten BNA as a dark, folded volume among the trees. The facades and roof planes flow visually into one another, giving the house the character of a black gemstone. Behind this form is a sustainability strategy centered on extensive timber construction, reduced energy demand, renewable energy generation, and durable materials that can be maintained selectively. Peter Cuypers Sustainability is integrated into the design rather than treated as a separate technical addition. The structure, building envelope, interior, and building services were approached as a single system, with each layer contributing to redu... More

Name of Project: The Vault Name of Design Firm: Storeyboard Design Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra Typology: Corporate turnkey interiorsArea: 40,000 sq.ft Date of Completion: October 2024 Principal Designers/Architect: Swathy Sivaraman Photography Credits: archeptions_nisheetdodia Archeptions_NisheetDodia Highlights 1. Five uniquely themed floors tailored to specific functions and departments.2. Sustainable design using Green-rated materials & natural lighting.3. A project delivered within a challenging six-month timeline despite multiple constraints.4. Integration of opulent design features with cutting-edge functionality. Archeptions_NisheetDodia Concept This business centre stands as a remarkable example of how a co... More

KOER is an iconic residential development on Laan op Zuid in Rotterdam. This hybrid building combines robust urban facades with intimate, village-like inner gardens. Sculptural corners, layered compositions, and warm-toned brick create a strong identity. With 167 diverse homes, ranging from apartments to family houses, open corridors, and a green courtyard, KOER contributes to the wider transformation of the area. Circular materials, a mobility hub, and shared workspaces enhance the project's liveability and future resilience, integrating urban and village elements through brick architecture and a green environment. Ossip van Duivenbode Loes van Duijvendijk Loes van Duijvendijk Loes van Duijvendijk KOER prioritises circ... More

Located at Amersfoort's highest point amid green landscapes, the Floating House designed by Benthem Crouwel Architects redefines the idea of spacious living within a compact footprint. The design prioritizes connection with its surroundings, making the landscape an integral part of the home's spatial experience. Jannes Linders Charlotte Kap Jannes Linders BRINGING OUTSIDE IN The house was designed for a family craving both openness and connection to nature, which challenged us to transform the boundary between indoor and outdoor life in this elevated urban setting. An open plinth creates optimal connection with the lush garden and surrounding green landscape. To contrast the openness of the plinth, a closed floating volume... More

Name of Project: House IXName of Design Firm: Kiran Gala & AssociatesLocation: Mumbai, MaharashtraTypology: Residential (Apartment)Area: 2,500 sq.ftDate of Completion: October 2024Principal Architect/Designer: Kiran Gala , Sonam Gala Gosalia                      Photography Credits: Pulkit Sehgal, The Light Cube photography Stylist credits: Samir Wadekar Pulkit Sehgal Highlights: Seamless integration of living, dining, and sleeping areas with innovative design features. Dining table made from site waste materials highlights commitment to sustainability. Pulkit Sehgal Concept:   This project reimagines the available space into a warm, earthy retreat, offe... More

The Case Study House in Wolfpassing is a renovated family home with a cross-laminated timber (CLT) extension, located just one hour from Vienna, Austria. When the original house was designed in the 1960s, the architect was likely inspired by Richard Neutra's or Ray and Charles Eames's Case Study Houses in Los Angeles. The original bungalow featured a large terrace and was in harmony with the surrounding nature. One characteristic tree was even incorporated into the terrace itself. Exceptional features include the natural stone walls, a fireplace that can be heated inside or out, and the location in a beautiful little park.This jewel has now been completely renovated and extended using CLT. The entire design demonstrates the need for precise... More

Maativan, a natural building sanctuary nestled on the fringes of Wada’s reserved forest area in India, is a testament to environmental consciousness and sustainable architecture. Located near the Tansa forest and spanning 5,000 sq. ft., Maativan is constructed from mud and other natural materials that harmonize with the surrounding ecosystem. The design intentionally integrates nature into the building's structure, preserving existing trees and vegetation. This careful planning ensures that the spaces evoke the sensation of being in a forest, enveloped by a lush outdoor environment under a dense natural canopy.  Inclined Studio Inclined Studio Maativan epitomizes a seamless blending with its environment, sitting low an... More

 In the district of Guajuvira, 35 km away from the city of Curitiba, Brazil, the countryside landscape sustained by small agribusiness families is constantly interspersed with remnants of native Atlantic Forest vegetation. Often protecting water sources and small streams that flow into the Iguaçu river basin, these forest clusters are home to protected species, such as the Araucaria - the tree that gives the town its name. In this native landscape, in a less dense portion of forest, the architects were commissioned to create a space for relaxation, silence and physical activity - with the fundamental premise of neutralizing built intervention amid the existing natural condition, or to at least mitigate its visual presence. Ga... More

Thoughtfully crafted for a family of four. Built of 1200 compact east facing site, this home is a testament to the potential of open space planning, where design balances functionality and aesthetics. Studio f/8 Studio f/8 Studio f/8 Studio f/8 The Exterior showcases exposed terracotta and concrete texture, offering a timeless and tropical modern appeal. The materials celebrate raw textures while blending harmoniously with its natural surroundings. The residence embraces openness with its thoughtful layout, fostering a seamless connection between spaces. Every corner is bathed in natural light and fresh air, creating an inviting atmosphere throughout the day.  Studio f/8 Studio f/8 Studio f/8 Stud... More

Today's cities have reached a stage where deciding between vehicles and pedestrians has become a pressing issue. While vehicles are unable to find proper parking spaces in the city, thus occupying pedestrian areas; public spaces for pedestrians are experiencing a gradual decline. Located in Bostanlı, one of the most important districts of Izmir, Yerden Yüksek (translated as Higher Ground) is a prototype that aims to address this tension between pedestrians and vehicles with a tactical urbanism approach. Karşıyaka Municipality Karşıyaka Municipality Karşıyaka Municipality Located in an actively used municipal open parking lot adjacent to a green area, the project poses the following question: How can one redefine open pa... More

The German School of Budapest is so successful that the need to expand its building arose once again. Due to the start of the new school year, a rapid response was required, so developing an existing container building to a higher quality, with an increased capacity and an architectural character befitting the built and natural environment was envisaged. Moreover, this solution fulfilled the need to minimise the impact on the environment during construction. The result is an economically and ecologically sustainable building. Jaksa Bálint Jaksa Bálint The relationship of the school and Bánáti + Hartvig Architects goes back many years. BH designed the main building and its extension, and, on the strengt... More

The Wellness Farm Pavilions, a project designed in Cambodia, where wood, transparency, and the timeless beauty of the Mekong River converge to create a sophisticated hospitality destination. The project is part of the masterplan proposal for silk island and a series of pavilions that will promote traditional farming while also providing enogastronomic tourism and refurbishments of natural context. The project seeks to introduce residents and tourists to the Mekong river’s traditions in an attractive, open, and social context. We will also explore the potential of biobased materials, that is suitable in the agricultural context. ©️AEC ©️AEC ©️AEC The Wellness Farm Pavilions emerge as an architectural symp... More

Totonoeru ie embodies simplicity and expansive openings, seamlessly integrated into its landscape. The grand structure features large wooden doors and windows that frame breathtaking views of nearby mountains, transforming the living room and private rooms into natural art galleries. Interior walls, finished with a mix of black charcoal and white plaster, reflect outdoor scenery, enhancing the connection to nature. Sobokuya Inc. Courtesy of Sobokuya_by Sobokuya Complemented by meticulously crafted kitchen and sanitary furniture, the spacious living area balances grandeur with delicate craftsmanship. Sobokuya’s signature taiko beams serve as structural elements and striking staircases, traversing the centre of the room to create... More

Located on a serene hill overlooking Agios Konstantinos Bay, this remarkable villa in Greece offers a bespoke living experience with three bedrooms and two guest studios tailored to meet the unique requirements and preferences of the inhabitants. The house is divided into two distinct chambers. The owner’s chamber features an exclusive master bedroom, a light-filled bathroom, an open kitchen with a living room, a library, and a gym. The guest chamber comprises two studio rooms and a service kitchen. Ergin Birinci Studio, Visualisation Artist IvaBox Designed with a deep reverence for the natural surroundings and informed by meticulous environmental and data analysis, the architecture focuses on optimising user comfort by managing... More