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covered front porch on gray passive house
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Homes

Architects give 1890s home a Passive House retrofit

The idea of retrofitting is certainly nothing new, especially for historic buildings. But the Yannell PHIUS+ House project is turning a home built in the 1890s into a Passive House complete with modern style and amenities. The project, renovated by HPZS, is the first certified single-family Passive House in Chicago. The...
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Design

HOW TO: Grow an Avocado Tree from an Avocado Pit

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Technology

World's whitest paint could be an A/C alternative

Engineers at Purdue University have developed a paint so white that it actually cools surfaces. They hope that the new paint can help fight global warming by reducing reliance on air conditioning. “If you were to use this paint to cover a roof area of about 1,000 square feet, we estimate that you could...
flamingos in wetland
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Architecture

Enter the WWF Observation Cabins competition for a shot at $17K

The Young Architects Competition (YAC) has teamed up with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to launch WWF Observation Cabins, a global competition seeking design proposals for a visitor center and observation cabins in the WWF Oasis of Orbetello, Italy. In addition to creating a space where visitors can enjoy a “tamed”...
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Architecture

11 green building materials that are way better than concrete

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Homes

Aztec-inspired eco home sits lightly on the land in Mexico

When Mexico City-based architecture practice Mauricio Ceballos X Architects (MCXA) was asked to design a home in an ancestral place in Malinalco, it immediately knew that a minimal environmental footprint would be the key to success. The clients had carefully selected the sloped site for its unique micro-climate,...
wood and glass home surrounded by trees
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Homes

Dreamy Costa Rican retreat uses a pavilion concept for minimal impact

Tucked into the trees where the rainforest meets the sea, the Sirena House is a Costa Rican retreat that combines separate pavilions to cause less impact on the local surroundings. The home features sustainable elements such as rainwater catchment, water recycling and energy-generating systems. Specifically...
A lily pond in front of a simple home with a red gabled roof. A person sits on a chair on the patio in front of the home's sliding glass doors.
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Homes

Reclaimed timber makes up this tranquil nature retreat in Vietnam

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...
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Electric Vehicles

The Netherlands to ban carbon-emitting delivery vehicles

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...

The Netherlands has launched a plan that will ban all carbon-emitting delivery vehicles in urban areas. The country has started by allowing only...
A dark-colored wood deck next to open sliding glass doors that lead inside the home.
Homes

No waste, no carbon, no wonder this net-zero home breaks the mold

EPA Superfund site sign warning of toxic soil EPA Superfund site sign warning of toxic soil
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Health

Living near Superfund sites could shorten life expectancy by 1 year

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...

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...
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Earth Day

How to get involved in virtual and local Earth Day events

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 in partnership with March For Science...

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,...
old wood barn on hillside old wood barn on hillside
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Hotels

Noa* tucks a 3-star hotel beneath a refurbished barn in Italy

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...

When Network of Architecture (noa*) was asked to expand the traditional South Tyrolean restaurant Schönblick with a new hotel, the firm knew...
Greenery that connects onto the roof of a curved building with windows on the side. Greenery that connects onto the roof of a curved building with windows on the side.
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Businesses

Green-roofed CABI HQ champions biodiversity and energy efficiency

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...

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...
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Corporate Responsibility

New Zealand requires financial institutions to prepare climate impact reports

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...

New Zealand has introduced a new law that will require all financial institutions to report the impacts of climate change on their businesses....