Fast, Easy, Bamboo….

Green minded home builders have been looking for the most sustainable methods for building their homes from recycled materials, adobe bricks to building underground, however, it seems that bamboo is probably the most eco-friendly and sustainable of all. Unlike “normal” trees which supply framing for traditional homes, bamboo is fast growing which allows it to be replenished in a fraction of the time it requires to grow a tree and it is very sturdy. In fact, In many East Asian countries, bamboo is the preferred choose for scaffolding over steal we seen in the west.

Images courtesy of their respective owners

London’s skyline boom shows no sign of slowing down

Fresh off the heels of The London Bridge Tower, aka, The Shard, as well as a few other towers in the City and other places around London, the building boom shows no signs of slowing down as evidenced by this animated gif. Skyscrapers, long a presence in American and later in Asian cities are finding their way across Europe with London and Moscow leading the way. The former holds the title for the tallest building (The Shard) in the EU while the latter holds the title for the tallest building in all of Europe (Mercury City Tower) but it is London who has transformed its skyline dramatically and in fact, there are 200 towers proposed, approved or already under construction. Take that Shanghai and Dubai!

Go to The Guardian’s website for more interactive images

Images courtesy: Hayes Davidson/The Guardian

aleksandar simonović

Mid century modern meets 21st century green architecture.

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Don’t have to be religious to appreciate this contemporary chapel

Most contemporary religious architecture on a modest budget leaves much to be desired but this angled mountain side chapel in El Salvador changes all that. The concrete structure utilizes an open air design for ventilation which especially useful in a tropical climate and the shape minimizes the chapels impact on the environment as to fit in rather than intrude…how refreshing. Apart from an the all concrete construction, two criss-crossing I-beams offer addition support and fittingly form a cross.

Images courtesy of http://www.emcarquitectura.com/

Back from the dead…at the the 2015 WordPress WordCamp in San Antonio Texas.

Extreme Architecture: A Growing Speciality

Extreme Architecture: A Growing Speciality.

Spectacular Interior Photos Of Barcelona’s La Sagrada Família. Me Gusta.

Spanish photographer, Clement Celma, captured these amazing wide-angle shots of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí’s famous Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família. Construction began in 1882 and then Gaudí took over the project the following year after the original architect,  Francisco de Paula del Villar, retired. Construction was projected to be a prolonged effort which was why by the time of Gaudí’s death in 1926, 44 years later, the basilica was only around 25% complete. Construction continued to progress slowly only to be disrupted by the Spanish Civil War and eventually resumed in the 50’s where as it met the midway point in 2010 and is expected to be competed in 2026. The centennial of Gaudí’s death.

More of his photos here and here. Images courtesy of Clement Celma.

I REALLY want this house!

I really do. Located in Sydney, the photos of this amazing house speak for themselves. Built in 2012, the Cosgriff House utilizes plenty of natural lighting with large windows and sky lights as well as large flowing open spaces…

Images courtesy of Brett Boardman

Old fashioned rail station turned into modern home

Leave it to the Dutch to be creative and turn an obsolete crumbling old building into a truly unique expression of modernism such as this case of an old train station converted into a private home in Santpoort. The home owners wanted to preserve the spirit of the rail station so a modern extension with a rust and glass facade was added with the intent to compliment rather than detract from original structure which provides all the modern amenities inside to go with all that history outside.

Images courtesy Zecc Architects

Eco-Friendly Luxury Living…In A Shipping Container.

When we think of shipping containers; green comfortable livings spaces probably isn’t one the first images to come to mind but architects and builders have increasingly been using ubiquitous steel boxes into inviting and revolutionary meeting and living spaces. Typically when these containers reach the end of their useful lives, they are scrapped but this doesn’t mean they are no longer useful. Most are still durable enough to be “upcycled” into innovative architecture…

Home in Spain

Home in Canada

Shopping center in Cholula, Mexico

Starbucks in Tukwila, Washington

Home in San Antonio, Texas

Container City in London, UK

Images courtesy of their respective owners