Sustainable architecture

In the vast territory of Quebec’s Réserve faunique des Laurentides (Laurentides Wildlife Reserve), Quebec-based Anne Carrier Architectes has designed the new 990-square-metre multidisciplinary Camp Mercier pavilion. A well known cross-country skiing and snowshoeing centre, Camp Mercier is situated 783 metres above sea level and less than an hour’s drive from Quebec City. It also serves as a meeting place for outdoor enthusiasts, researchers, and students who come to observe the local wildlife. The new pavilion’s sober design, a harmonious blend of contemporary and traditional architecture, reflects Quebec’s architectural culture in harmony with nature. Maxime Brouillet Adrien Williams AC/a In 2... More

The Arbor House is a contemporary family home located to the west of the Scottish city of Aberdeen. Built in a conservation area, it was designed by Aberdeenshire-based architectural studio Brown & Brown. The residence is primarily a timber frame construction, finished with a mix of larch cladding, fibre cement cladding, and retained stone walls from the existing site. Jim Stephenson Brown & Brown Evoking Californian modernism The design of the Arbor House is evocative of Californian modernism, a style characterised by an emphasis on simplicity, functionality, and the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. Key features include the home’s open-plan layout, large windows, natural materials, integration with nature... More

Architecture has always marked human presence on Earth, shaping landscapes and leaving traces of ambition and creativity. Joy Tirana embraces this role, drawing a parallel between the natural layering of the Earth and the evolving built environment. It serves as both a reflection of time and a statement about our relationship with nature.  Caption   As humanity seeks to reconnect with the rhythms of the planet, architecture becomes a tool for balance—a bridge between shelter and expression, permanence and change. Joy Tirana embodies this philosophy, offering a design that respects both its urban context and the natural world. Positioned at the crossroads of Mediterranean tectonic movements, Albania is a land shaped by... More

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) Headquarters and Multi-Tenant Commercial Building is a progressive 3-storey, 124,000 SF fully exposed mass timber project that uses net-zero strategies, and seamlessly integrates commercial opportunities with the relocation and revitalization of the OSSTF’s offices in Toronto. The building houses the OSSTF—an organization that represents all education professionals in the secondary school system in Ontario, as well as additional tenants. All design decisions were rigorously assessed for long-term value, health and wellness of employees, and operational savings. Designed to the highest environmental standards, the facility is built on a foundation of social, environm... More

The renovation of McMaster University’s Life Sciences Biology Building (LSBB) involved a multi-phased refurbishment of the original brutalist LSBB (first constructed in the 1970s), with the addition of a state-of-the-art, 11,400 SF Greenhouse with connecting labs, study spaces, and other amenities. This renovation has successfully integrated the new greenhouse with the pre-existing building, while simultaneously fulfilling additional objectives of the university, including operational efficiency, student experience, and sustainability, among others. The renewal of this critical facility has established the Department of Biology as a vital part of the entry sequence to the Hamilton campus, existing as a thoughtfully designed and durabl... More

This apartment, a characteristic 1930's house in Amsterdam West, located in the De Baarsjes neighbourhood, has been renovated in a fully sustainable and responsible manner. The renovation focused on three main pillars: 1. Insulating the house and eliminating the use of gas.2. Using as many sustainable and healthy materials as possible.3. Optimizing the use of available square metres. Bart Molenaar 1. Saving Energy According to the Trias EnergeticaThe house has been made energy-efficient following the principles of the Trias Energetica model: - Step 1: Minimize energy loss.The facades have been insulated from the inside using wood wool, a circular and sustainable material.- Step 2: Use renewable energy.The gas meter has been removed... More

With its architectural, urban, and functional qualities, the new logistics market, the Marché d'Intérêt National de Rezé (MiN), has become a prominent node located just south of the city of Nantes in western France. The architecture of the MiN is driven by a strong environmental ambition that aligns well with the sustainability goals of the Nantes Region. The project is also an important tool for sustainable economic development in the region. Luc Boegly Innovative, understated, and highly functional, the large central wholesale market is the heart of the MiN, featuring an expressive design inspired by 19th-century market halls in a contemporary interpretation. The vast roof invites visitors and those workin... More