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Blaine Brownell
Blaine Brownell
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Blaine Brownell

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Blaine Brownell

architect, author, educator, researcher of emerging materials and applications

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Revolutionizing Refrigeration and Beyond: The Rise of Ultra-Thin Vacuum Insulation TechnologyRevolutionizing Refrigeration and Beyond: The Rise of Ultra-Thin Vacuum Insulation Technology
Revolutionizing Refrigeration and Beyond: The Rise of Ultra-Thin Vacuum Insulation Technology

From transforming home appliances to reshaping building design, Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) promise unprecedented energy efficiency, space savings, and climate-conscious innovation.

Article
Beyond Boundaries: Plan:B’s Permeable Architecture in MedellinBeyond Boundaries: Plan:B’s Permeable Architecture in Medellin
Beyond Boundaries: Plan:B’s Permeable Architecture in Medellin

Explore how this stunning hotel and hybrid shelter/event venue transform urban spaces into lush, accessible sanctuaries.

Article
A Blueprint for Reimagining Urban SpacesA Blueprint for Reimagining Urban Spaces
A Blueprint for Reimagining Urban Spaces

Architect Vishaan Chakrabarti’s new book offers a roadmap for designing cities that foster human connection while tackling environmental and societal challenges.

Article
AI is Shaping Architecture’s New Reality Faster Than We ExpectedAI is Shaping Architecture’s New Reality Faster Than We Expected
AI is Shaping Architecture’s New Reality Faster Than We Expected

These groundbreaking AI tools are rapidly advancing the AEC industry, revolutionizing design and construction.

Article
Robots Revolutionize Construction: A New Era of Building Efficiency and SafetyRobots Revolutionize Construction: A New Era of Building Efficiency and Safety
Robots Revolutionize Construction: A New Era of Building Efficiency and Safety

From drilling to roofing: How cutting-edge robotics are transforming job sites and collaborating with human workers.

Article
Building Against the Mold: A Climate-Resilient ApproachBuilding Against the Mold: A Climate-Resilient Approach
Building Against the Mold: A Climate-Resilient Approach

Miami's Caplow Manzano introduces 'hypostruction' to combat mold and enhance occupant health amid rising temperatures and severe weather.

Article
Tokyo Transformed: A Journey Through Urban InnovationTokyo Transformed: A Journey Through Urban Innovation
Tokyo Transformed: A Journey Through Urban Innovation

Exploring Azabudai Hills and Beyond, Tokyo's Metamorphosis into a Vibrant Urban Landscape Reflects the Past, Embraces the Present, and Prepares for the Future.

Article
Rethinking Construction: The Rise of Wood as a Sustainable MaterialRethinking Construction: The Rise of Wood as a Sustainable Material
Rethinking Construction: The Rise of Wood as a Sustainable Material

Innovations in wood reclamation and recycling promise to enhance environmental benefits.

Article
War on Dull BuildingsWar on Dull Buildings
War on Dull Buildings

A panel discussion at the inaugural War on Dull Buildings Summit hosted by Advanced Glazings and Better Buildings for Humans.

Lecture
Building the Future with Snow: An Architectural Innovation in GreenlandBuilding the Future with Snow: An Architectural Innovation in Greenland
Building the Future with Snow: An Architectural Innovation in Greenland

Virginia San Fratello merges 3D printing expertise with local culture to create the House of Snow, a groundbreaking project on the forefront of climate awareness and architectural ingenuity.

Article
The New LuxuryThe New Luxury
The New Luxury

A lecture about new material opportunities in sustainable design at the Bond Five Star conference in Marana, Arizona.

Lecture
Reimagining Grandeur: The Digital Era Embraces Baroque InspirationsReimagining Grandeur: The Digital Era Embraces Baroque Inspirations
Reimagining Grandeur: The Digital Era Embraces Baroque Inspirations

Contemporary design meets historic complexity in the second digital turn.

Article
Blending Worlds: The Rise of Phygital SpacesBlending Worlds: The Rise of Phygital Spaces
Blending Worlds: The Rise of Phygital Spaces

Where digital meets physical: exploring the future of immersive experiences in architecture and design.

Article
Elevating Architecture: The Revolutionary Potential of STFE in Light ConstructionElevating Architecture: The Revolutionary Potential of STFE in Light Construction
Elevating Architecture: The Revolutionary Potential of STFE in Light Construction

Exploring the Fusion of Aesthetics, Ecology, and Functionality in Contemporary Architecture Through Structural Transparent Fluorinated Envelopes.

Article
An Interview with Pritzker Prize winner Riken YamamotoAn Interview with Pritzker Prize winner Riken Yamamoto
An Interview with Pritzker Prize winner Riken Yamamoto

A deep dive into the architect’s vision of thresholds and the future of urban living.

Article
A Second Plastic AgeA Second Plastic Age
A Second Plastic Age

A lecture and panel discussion at “Being Plastic/Becoming Plastic,” a symposium hosted by the University of Virginia School of Architecture.

Lecture
Revolutionizing Construction: The Rise of 3D-Printed NanocelluloseRevolutionizing Construction: The Rise of 3D-Printed Nanocellulose
Revolutionizing Construction: The Rise of 3D-Printed Nanocellulose

From environmental gains to innovative building solutions, 3D printing with nanocellulose promises a greener future.

Article
Innovating the Future: Cairo's Young Entrepreneurs Pioneer a Sustainable Material RevolutionInnovating the Future: Cairo's Young Entrepreneurs Pioneer a Sustainable Material Revolution
Innovating the Future: Cairo's Young Entrepreneurs Pioneer a Sustainable Material Revolution

From Nile plastics to food waste, the Material Lab 25 program is empowering a new generation to transform environmental challenges into sustainable solutions.

Article
The Hottest Year on Record Spurs Innovation in Climate-Adaptive Building MaterialsThe Hottest Year on Record Spurs Innovation in Climate-Adaptive Building Materials
The Hottest Year on Record Spurs Innovation in Climate-Adaptive Building Materials

These groundbreaking technologies emerge as key to combatting extreme temperatures in creating climate-resilient buildings.

Article
Beyond the PyramidsBeyond the Pyramids
Beyond the Pyramids

Cairo's informal settlements offer useful lessons in urban design.

Article
The Grand Egyptian Museum Represents a Paradigm Shift in Museum DesignThe Grand Egyptian Museum Represents a Paradigm Shift in Museum Design
The Grand Egyptian Museum Represents a Paradigm Shift in Museum Design

At 1 billion dollars, it is the largest museum in the world dedicated to one civilization.

Article
Pandemic Effect SymoposiumPandemic Effect Symoposium
Pandemic Effect Symoposium

A lecture and panel discussion about the effects of Covid-19 on architectural practice and the world of design and construction.

Lecture
Suzanne Tick Is Reshaping TextilesSuzanne Tick Is Reshaping Textiles
Suzanne Tick Is Reshaping Textiles

The New York­–based textile designer and weaver has developed eco-minded fabrics with the potential to transform the textile industry.

Article
AI's Next Conquest? Supply Chain ManagementAI's Next Conquest? Supply Chain Management
AI's Next Conquest? Supply Chain Management

The dramatic growth of AI-powered supply chain management offerings suggests that the technology sector has become increasingly aware of what AEC professionals have long known: The construction industry can use a productivity boost.

Article
Product Manufacturers Are Looking to the Ocean for ResourcesProduct Manufacturers Are Looking to the Ocean for Resources
Product Manufacturers Are Looking to the Ocean for Resources

From composite building modules made from compressed seaweed to tiles crafted with seashells, new material possibilities are emerging in this area of development.

Article
Carbon Capture and Storage Is Crucial to Lowering EmissionsCarbon Capture and Storage Is Crucial to Lowering Emissions
Carbon Capture and Storage Is Crucial to Lowering Emissions

Although this is a less-developed strategy, several emerging technologies are worth noting for future incorporation in design and construction.

Article
Pre-20th Century Construction Practices May Offer Clues to Tackling Climate ChangePre-20th Century Construction Practices May Offer Clues to Tackling Climate Change
Pre-20th Century Construction Practices May Offer Clues to Tackling Climate Change

A new report from the United Nations Environment Program articulates solutions based on an appreciation for pre-industrial approaches to building materials and construction that were less ecologically destructive than contemporary ones.

Article
New Building in Germany Demonstrates Advances in Textile ArchitectureNew Building in Germany Demonstrates Advances in Textile Architecture
New Building in Germany Demonstrates Advances in Textile Architecture

With its façade composed of bichromatic fibers, Reutlingen University's Texoversum embodies a vision of architectural textiles’ future.

Article
Materials Science Is Starting to Reap the Benefits of AIMaterials Science Is Starting to Reap the Benefits of AI
Materials Science Is Starting to Reap the Benefits of AI

Scientists have begun exploring the use of artificial intelligence tools to automate a variety of tasks that are typically time-consuming, including manual endeavors such as identifying relevant references or potential compound ingredients.

Article
How Can We Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Bricks?How Can We Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Bricks?
How Can We Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Bricks?

Several manufacturers have developed building modules that replace fired clay with substitute materials requiring less embodied energy.

Article
Exterior and Interior Surfaces Can Help Mitigate Air PollutionExterior and Interior Surfaces Can Help Mitigate Air Pollution
Exterior and Interior Surfaces Can Help Mitigate Air Pollution

From carbon dioxide–absorbing paints to bacteria-removing wallpaper, advances in material technologies can improve air quality.

Article
Immersive Art Exhibitions Offer Lessons for Architecture and DesignImmersive Art Exhibitions Offer Lessons for Architecture and Design
Immersive Art Exhibitions Offer Lessons for Architecture and Design

A visit to Tokyo's teamLab Planets, an interactive art destination that provides creative solutions that can be applied throughout the designed environment.

Article
Brooklyn-Based Firm Particle Launches Homewares Collection Made From Recycled FootwearBrooklyn-Based Firm Particle Launches Homewares Collection Made From Recycled Footwear
Brooklyn-Based Firm Particle Launches Homewares Collection Made From Recycled Footwear

As material sourcing and waste concerns intensify, Particle does not merely represent a fad but indicates a necessary shift toward cradle-to-cradle manufacturing and recycling processes.

Article
Exploring Junya Ishigami’s KAIT PlazaExploring Junya Ishigami’s KAIT Plaza
Exploring Junya Ishigami’s KAIT Plaza

The project is a model of how to create an indelible impression on visitors based on the principles of neuroscience. The formula here is deceptively simple but profound: Minimize visual noise while maximizing novelty.

Article
The Architecture of EnergyThe Architecture of Energy
The Architecture of Energy

A look at promising developments in battery technology and thermal energy storage.

Article
How Do Designed Environments Affect Health?How Do Designed Environments Affect Health?
How Do Designed Environments Affect Health?

This Design Optimism event hosted by Metropolis magazine addressed the intersection of disease, climate, and the built environment.

Lecture
Advances in Fabric Technology Point to a Promising FutureAdvances in Fabric Technology Point to a Promising Future
Advances in Fabric Technology Point to a Promising Future

New developments may expand the material's versatility in design applications.

Article
Is There New Hope for Plastic?Is There New Hope for Plastic?
Is There New Hope for Plastic?

Examining a recent breakthrough in bioplastics that could redefine plastic as a much more environmentally responsible material.

Article
The Cost of Mining Carrara MarbleThe Cost of Mining Carrara Marble
The Cost of Mining Carrara Marble

Centuries of quarrying stone from more than 650 sites have significantly impacted the environment.

Article
The Consequences of Light PollutionThe Consequences of Light Pollution
The Consequences of Light Pollution

Exploring how excessive outdoor illumination impacts the health of ecosystems.

Article
Improving Air Quality Should Be a Global PriorityImproving Air Quality Should Be a Global Priority
Improving Air Quality Should Be a Global Priority

Like global warming, atmospheric air quality is another wicked problem that must be boldly addressed by the AEC industry.

Article
East Palestine Disaster Raises New Questions About Reliance on Toxic MaterialsEast Palestine Disaster Raises New Questions About Reliance on Toxic Materials
East Palestine Disaster Raises New Questions About Reliance on Toxic Materials

It’s remarkable that, amid all the anger and speculation stoked by the catastrophe, few are questioning why hazardous chemicals like vinyl chloride have become common and acceptable substances in human society.

Article
The Carbon Footprint of Material ObsolescenceThe Carbon Footprint of Material Obsolescence
The Carbon Footprint of Material Obsolescence

Embodied carbon connects to a building’s entire life cycle—including its maintenance and end of life. We must account for the emissions that result from renovation and deconstruction just as we do for manufacture and construction.

Article
Will Forests Drive the Hydrogen Economy?Will Forests Drive the Hydrogen Economy?
Will Forests Drive the Hydrogen Economy?

Canada-based Hydrogen Naturally is converting wood waste to hydrogen fuel, pointing to a fascinating future for the energy and forest products industries.

Article
The Pandemic EffectThe Pandemic Effect
The Pandemic Effect

In The Pandemic Effect, 90 leading architects, designers, materials scientists, and health officials reflect on the influence of COVID-19 on buildings and cities—and propose solutions to safeguard the built environment from future pandemics, viruses, and contagious diseases on every scale, from surfaces to society.

Book
Five Material Technology Trends To Watch in 2023Five Material Technology Trends To Watch in 2023
Five Material Technology Trends To Watch in 2023

Spotlighting innovations in concrete, solar power, designing with living organisms, and more.

Article
The Plastic You BreatheThe Plastic You Breathe
The Plastic You Breathe

Conducted by researchers in New Zealand, a recently published study on airborne microplastic pollution brings heightened alarm.

Article
Are Building Codes Keeping Us From a Greener Built Environment?Are Building Codes Keeping Us From a Greener Built Environment?
Are Building Codes Keeping Us From a Greener Built Environment?

Building codes offer a fundamental baseline of protection in architecture. But a new book by Aleksandra Jaeschke explores how they also show biases that undermine the broader pursuit of systemic environmental performance.

Article
Can Windows Be Better Insulators?Can Windows Be Better Insulators?
Can Windows Be Better Insulators?

Exploring new products and processes aimed at boosting insulation capacity.

Article
The Future of InsulationThe Future of Insulation
The Future of Insulation

Many common insulating materials reduce operational carbon, but increase other environmental hazards. Thankfully, scientists and product manufacturers are on the hunt for alternatives.

Article
The Future of DesignThe Future of Design
The Future of Design

A lecture at the Future of Design conference about how to inoculate the built environment against future pandemics.

Lecture
Learning from IndiaLearning from India
Learning from India

Looking to centuries-old Indo-Islamic architecture for lessons on how simple, passive strategies can make a big difference in confronting a warming climate.

Article
Lecture: University of UtahLecture: University of Utah
Lecture: University of Utah

A lecture at the University of Utah School of Architecture about how to inoculate the built environment.

Lecture
Bridging UX and the Built EnvironmentBridging UX and the Built Environment
Bridging UX and the Built Environment

Exploring the influence of user experience design in architecture.

Article
The Rising Popularity of Holistic Interior GreeningThe Rising Popularity of Holistic Interior Greening
The Rising Popularity of Holistic Interior Greening

Exploring innovations in indoor landscapes, which boost air quality and well-being.

Article
Tree Thieves: Who Owns the Forest?Tree Thieves: Who Owns the Forest?
Tree Thieves: Who Owns the Forest?

Illegal timber harvesting has an annual economic impact of $1 billion nationwide. However, the causes, effects, and solutions—like DNA analysis—are far from clearcut.

Article
How is Monkeypox Behaving in the Built Environment?How is Monkeypox Behaving in the Built Environment?
How is Monkeypox Behaving in the Built Environment?

Virus transmission depends on interactions between surfaces and environmental factors, a design concern that invites a closer collaboration between architects, designers, and mechanical engineers to mitigate the spread of disease.

Article
One of the Most Significant Memorials on the PlanetOne of the Most Significant Memorials on the Planet
One of the Most Significant Memorials on the Planet

A visit to the Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Alabama reveals a profoundly designed space dedicated to the unjust treatment of Black bodies, from enslavement to mass incarceration.

Article
How to Grow Concrete, and Other Bio HacksHow to Grow Concrete, and Other Bio Hacks
How to Grow Concrete, and Other Bio Hacks

Exploring some of the latest innovations in mineral- and bio-based building products.

Article
Is Architecture Fueling this Pandemic, and Future Ones?Is Architecture Fueling this Pandemic, and Future Ones?
Is Architecture Fueling this Pandemic, and Future Ones?

While the built environment has always played a role in the emergence and spread of illness, with the rising urgency of climate change, designers must now swiftly adapt their practice to safeguard resilience and health as well as prevent zoonotic spillover.

Article
Zaha Hadid Architects Goes Meta in Seoul ExhibitionZaha Hadid Architects Goes Meta in Seoul Exhibition
Zaha Hadid Architects Goes Meta in Seoul Exhibition

Exploing the ramifications and possibilities of parallel architecture worlds—the real and the virtual—in the firm's 'Meta-Horizons: The Future Now' exhibition at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in South Korea.

Article
Graphene: A 'Supermaterial' FutureGraphene: A 'Supermaterial' Future
Graphene: A 'Supermaterial' Future

As researchers further understand the material that is 200 times stronger than steel, graphene will be used for glass, steel, concrete, textiles, and many other building products.

Article
Contemporary Glass: An Instrument of Light, Shadow, and ReflectionContemporary Glass: An Instrument of Light, Shadow, and Reflection
Contemporary Glass: An Instrument of Light, Shadow, and Reflection

A Review of "Blurred Transparencies in Contemporary Glass Architecture: Material, Culture, and Technology" by Aki Ishida.

Article
Recomposition as Historic Preservation at the Atatürk Cultural CenterRecomposition as Historic Preservation at the Atatürk Cultural Center
Recomposition as Historic Preservation at the Atatürk Cultural Center

Assessing the unique approach to preservation with Turkey's first Modernist building.

Article
The Grassroots Gasworks Preservation Triumph in IstanbulThe Grassroots Gasworks Preservation Triumph in Istanbul
The Grassroots Gasworks Preservation Triumph in Istanbul

On a trip to the city's new Gasworks Museum—from the renovated Hasanpaşa Gazhanesi—a discovery that subtraction is a powerful architectural tool.

Article
A 3D-Printing Breakthrough Inspired by a French PainterA 3D-Printing Breakthrough Inspired by a French Painter
A 3D-Printing Breakthrough Inspired by a French Painter

Expliring the new disruptive technology in building construction inspired by the pointillist techniques of Georges Seurat.

Article
Consider the PorchConsider the Porch
Consider the Porch

A review of Charlie Hailey’s new book, exploring how the building feature—while waning in popularity—improves well-being and connects us to nature and the urgency of climate change.

Article
The Acceleration of Building Sensors NetworksThe Acceleration of Building Sensors Networks
The Acceleration of Building Sensors Networks

An interview with L & M Instruments co-founder John Waszak about wireless building sensors and UV-C light to eliminate infectious disease.

Article
The Coming Renewable Energy Revolution in the Middle EastThe Coming Renewable Energy Revolution in the Middle East
The Coming Renewable Energy Revolution in the Middle East

At the Expo 2020 Dubai and beyond, an exploration of how the region is investing in renewable and solar energy, from solar farms to E-Trees.

Article
Agricultural Dreaming at the Dubai ExpoAgricultural Dreaming at the Dubai Expo
Agricultural Dreaming at the Dubai Expo

Exploring international innovations in sustainable food production from vertical farming and “agritecture” to saltwater-tolerant desert crops and food-fuel investigations.

Article
Expo 2020 Dubai Hints at a Sea Change in Display TechnologyExpo 2020 Dubai Hints at a Sea Change in Display Technology
Expo 2020 Dubai Hints at a Sea Change in Display Technology

Designers are more deeply integrating display technologies into the built form.

Article
Products and Tech to Watch in 2022Products and Tech to Watch in 2022
Products and Tech to Watch in 2022

An examination of recent innovations in architecture and allied fields that have been accelerated and galvanized by the pandemic.

Article
Plastic Shields Won’t Save UsPlastic Shields Won’t Save Us
Plastic Shields Won’t Save Us

The barriers that are now so ubiquitous in our public spaces often block airflow and can even increase transmission of the virus.

Article
The Internet of Things Approaches Wireless, Touchless PowerThe Internet of Things Approaches Wireless, Touchless Power
The Internet of Things Approaches Wireless, Touchless Power

The pros and cons of cordless, battery-free energy through smart power companies like WiGL.

Article
Post-COP26, How Green Can We Make Concrete?Post-COP26, How Green Can We Make Concrete?
Post-COP26, How Green Can We Make Concrete?

The new technologies and recent global commitments to reduce the material’s carbon footprint.

Article
Introducing Scrapflation, a Superior Option to Shrinkflation and SkimpflationIntroducing Scrapflation, a Superior Option to Shrinkflation and Skimpflation
Introducing Scrapflation, a Superior Option to Shrinkflation and Skimpflation

While the country buzzes about economic inflation, the architecture industry is facing its own issues of product downsizing and quality control.

Article
Hemp: The Next Disruptor in Construction After Wood?Hemp: The Next Disruptor in Construction After Wood?
Hemp: The Next Disruptor in Construction After Wood?

With faster cultivation rates, a higher carbon capture, and advances in processing, hemp could be the next big thing in structural systems after mass timber.

Article
Could Wood Replace Our Need for Wires?Could Wood Replace Our Need for Wires?
Could Wood Replace Our Need for Wires?

The latest research on "functionalized" wood and the familiar material's conductive potential.

Article
Buildings Get a Lifelog Thanks to SensorsBuildings Get a Lifelog Thanks to Sensors
Buildings Get a Lifelog Thanks to Sensors

From temperature to light flicker, L&M Instruments’ Iris Multi-Sensor IoT Monitor can track the state of our built environments and send that data anywhere.

Article
Working Toward a Carbon-Free SteelWorking Toward a Carbon-Free Steel
Working Toward a Carbon-Free Steel

Ongoing efforts by the steel industry to reduce its carbon footprint.

Article
Can Timber Construction Be a Significant Carbon Sink?Can Timber Construction Be a Significant Carbon Sink?
Can Timber Construction Be a Significant Carbon Sink?

With the built environment being the largest contributor of global emissions, will increasing the use of timber help?

Article
Designing an Air Conditioner That Doesn't Heat the EarthDesigning an Air Conditioner That Doesn't Heat the Earth
Designing an Air Conditioner That Doesn't Heat the Earth

A.C. is contributing to the climate crisis. A look at the newest advances to this problematic technology.

Article
The Best Contemporary Architecture in JapanThe Best Contemporary Architecture in Japan
The Best Contemporary Architecture in Japan

Taschen's survey of the most innovative projects from the country's recent past.

Article
Lessons from the Champlain Towers CollapseLessons from the Champlain Towers Collapse
Lessons from the Champlain Towers Collapse

The ways to detect concrete cancer and other structural damage before it's too late.

Article
How to Combat Noise PollutionHow to Combat Noise Pollution
How to Combat Noise Pollution

New materials and research that could contribute to a quieter future.

Article
Rethinking Smart MaterialsRethinking Smart Materials
Rethinking Smart Materials

A new book by Skylar Tibbits, "Things Fall Together," envisions a bold future of self-assembly and programmable matter.

Article
The Untapped Potential of Architectural JammingThe Untapped Potential of Architectural Jamming
The Untapped Potential of Architectural Jamming

Promising research into jammed structures and other types of aleatory architectures.

Article
Office of the FutureOffice of the Future
Office of the Future

What the post-COVID workplace will look like.

Article
The Benefits of BiocharThe Benefits of Biochar
The Benefits of Biochar

How this carbon-rich soil can reduce our carbon footprint.

Article
What Architects Can Learn From Kintsugi What Architects Can Learn From Kintsugi
What Architects Can Learn From Kintsugi

The possibilities of the Japanese art form.

Article
The Art of SalvageThe Art of Salvage
The Art of Salvage

The growing trend of using construction and demolition waste to make new materials and products.

Article
The Pandemic Package Boom Will Change DesignThe Pandemic Package Boom Will Change Design
The Pandemic Package Boom Will Change Design

The ways residential and commercial projects are already adapting.

Article
How Good Are the Latest Sustainable Product Platforms?How Good Are the Latest Sustainable Product Platforms?
How Good Are the Latest Sustainable Product Platforms?

Putting three to the test: Pharos, Declare, and Mindful Materials.

Article
The Biowaste RevolutionThe Biowaste Revolution
The Biowaste Revolution

Startups like Ottan Studio and Biohm are designing sustainable building products using overlooked—and surprising—materials.

Article
Innovative Products and Materials for 2021Innovative Products and Materials for 2021
Innovative Products and Materials for 2021

New and creative offerings that will help architects respond to the pandemic.

Article
Consider the Possibilities of CardboardConsider the Possibilities of Cardboard
Consider the Possibilities of Cardboard

The sustainable design potential of this humble material.

Article
Think Small: Architecture and the MicrobiomeThink Small: Architecture and the Microbiome
Think Small: Architecture and the Microbiome

By focusing design around microorganisms, architects can help reduce COVID-19, repair building materials, and even make better cheese.

Article
A Sugar High for ArchitectsA Sugar High for Architects
A Sugar High for Architects

The possibilities of bagasse, a sugarcane waste product that can create eco-friendly building materials.

Article
Harold Hay, Skytherm, and the Quest for Passive CoolingHarold Hay, Skytherm, and the Quest for Passive Cooling
Harold Hay, Skytherm, and the Quest for Passive Cooling

How a pioneering chemist helped create new alternatives to traditional air conditioning.

Article
What a Biden Win Means for Sustainable DesignWhat a Biden Win Means for Sustainable Design
What a Biden Win Means for Sustainable Design

The possibilities of the President-elect's infrastructure and climate change plan.

Article
Jack Travis and the Search for a Black ArchitectureJack Travis and the Search for a Black Architecture
Jack Travis and the Search for a Black Architecture

An interview with the architect about his groundbreaking career.

Article
What the Coronavirus Has Taught Us About Air PollutionWhat the Coronavirus Has Taught Us About Air Pollution
What the Coronavirus Has Taught Us About Air Pollution

The role architects can play to clean the air and help ease the pandemic.

Article
The Acoustic Challenge of the Post-COVID 19 OfficeThe Acoustic Challenge of the Post-COVID 19 Office
The Acoustic Challenge of the Post-COVID 19 Office

How architects should redesign the workspace with sound as a priority instead of an afterthought.

Article
What Toyo Ito's Pao Project Teaches Us About Pandemic LivingWhat Toyo Ito's Pao Project Teaches Us About Pandemic Living
What Toyo Ito's Pao Project Teaches Us About Pandemic Living

Revisiting the Japanese architect's tent-like dwellings and finds them remarkably clairvoyant.

Article
How to Make a Building Blast Resistant How to Make a Building Blast Resistant
How to Make a Building Blast Resistant

What we can learn from the tragedy in Lebanon.

Article
An Open and Shut Case for Reducing COVID-19An Open and Shut Case for Reducing COVID-19
An Open and Shut Case for Reducing COVID-19

How operable windows, newly designed filters, and far-UVC light can help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Article
How to Return to the OfficeHow to Return to the Office
How to Return to the Office

Material solutions to make interior spaces safer during COVID-19.

Article
Material Bank Aspires to Transform Product Selection for ArchitectsMaterial Bank Aspires to Transform Product Selection for Architects
Material Bank Aspires to Transform Product Selection for Architects

An inside look at the company's bold ambitions.

Article
James Garrett Jr. Lists Actions for Architects, Institutions, and Business Owners to Combat Systemic RacismJames Garrett Jr. Lists Actions for Architects, Institutions, and Business Owners to Combat Systemic Racism
James Garrett Jr. Lists Actions for Architects, Institutions, and Business Owners to Combat Systemic Racism

An interview with the award-winning, St. Paul, Minn.–based architect and co-founder of 4RM+ULA who knows the consequences of racial injustice all too well.

Article
Applying Nature's Microbe-Fighting Strategies to Synthetic CoatingsApplying Nature's Microbe-Fighting Strategies to Synthetic Coatings
Applying Nature's Microbe-Fighting Strategies to Synthetic Coatings

Existing and emergent materials that emulate natural systems to inhibit bacteria and virus growth.

Article
Rethinking Office Design Trends in a Post-COVID WorldRethinking Office Design Trends in a Post-COVID World
Rethinking Office Design Trends in a Post-COVID World

Assessing potential shifts to workplace design in a post-pandemic society.

Article
Vacant Structures Shed Light on Energy-Efficiency FailingsVacant Structures Shed Light on Energy-Efficiency Failings
Vacant Structures Shed Light on Energy-Efficiency Failings

The design conventions of buildings that continue to use energy even as the workforce is forced to stay home.

Article
Will Virtual Real Estate Technology Impact Future Architectural Designs?Will Virtual Real Estate Technology Impact Future Architectural Designs?
Will Virtual Real Estate Technology Impact Future Architectural Designs?

Visualization tools and their influence over the design process.

Article
Materials and Coatings That Reduce Surface Transmission of Bacteria and VirusesMaterials and Coatings That Reduce Surface Transmission of Bacteria and Viruses
Materials and Coatings That Reduce Surface Transmission of Bacteria and Viruses

Recent findings on COVID-19 transmission from surface contact.

Article
From Fringe to Mainstream: Innovations that Pushed Design Forward and HowFrom Fringe to Mainstream: Innovations that Pushed Design Forward and How
From Fringe to Mainstream: Innovations that Pushed Design Forward and How

How the economic theory of marketplace "disruption" can be applied to the built environment.

Article
Mandating Classical Architecture Poses Technical Challenges TooMandating Classical Architecture Poses Technical Challenges Too
Mandating Classical Architecture Poses Technical Challenges Too

Exploring additional logistical wrinkles in President Trump's pursuit of uniform federal architectural design.

Article
Scientists Are Manipulating Living Systems for Improved MachineryScientists Are Manipulating Living Systems for Improved Machinery
Scientists Are Manipulating Living Systems for Improved Machinery

Innovations in robotics that incorporate living cells and machine-controlled organisms.

Article
Innovative Products and Materials to Watch in 2020Innovative Products and Materials to Watch in 2020
Innovative Products and Materials to Watch in 2020

Emergent building materials and assembly systems to watch this decade.

Article
The Challenge of Defining "Net-Zero"The Challenge of Defining "Net-Zero"
The Challenge of Defining "Net-Zero"

A review of the latest book by University of Maryland assistant professor Ming Hu, in which she details the various interpretations of net-zero construction and offers a resolution for a more universal understanding.

Article
Sustainable Building Materials for Low Embodied CarbonSustainable Building Materials for Low Embodied Carbon
Sustainable Building Materials for Low Embodied Carbon

Here are eight of the most carbon-friendly products for roofing, cladding, insulation, and other categories—all of which are available for specification, or soon to be.

Article
Architectural Education and the Future of WoodArchitectural Education and the Future of Wood
Architectural Education and the Future of Wood

Read the takeaways from the Future of Wood studio at the University of Arkansas, where students reimagined composite wood products.

Article

Blaine Brownell, FAIA LEED AP