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Architectural Education and the Future of Wood
Article
January 12, 2020

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

Sustainable Building Materials for Low Embodied Carbon
Article
January 15, 2020

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.

The Challenge of Defining "Net-Zero"
Article
January 17, 2020

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.

Innovative Products and Materials to Watch in 2020
Article
January 30, 2020

Emergent building materials and assembly systems to watch this decade.

Scientists Are Manipulating Living Systems for Improved Machinery
Article
February 13, 2020

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

Mandating Classical Architecture Poses Technical Challenges Too
Article
February 27, 2020

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

From Fringe to Mainstream: Innovations that Pushed Design Forward and How
Article
March 20, 2020

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

Materials and Coatings That Reduce Surface Transmission of Bacteria and Viruses
Article
March 26, 2020

Recent findings on COVID-19 transmission from surface contact.

Will Virtual Real Estate Technology Impact Future Architectural Designs?
Article
April 16, 2020

Visualization tools and their influence over the design process.

Vacant Structures Shed Light on Energy-Efficiency Failings
Article
April 30, 2020

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

Rethinking Office Design Trends in a Post-COVID World
Article
May 18, 2020

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

Applying Nature's Microbe-Fighting Strategies to Synthetic Coatings
Article
May 28, 2020

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

James Garrett Jr. Lists Actions for Architects, Institutions, and Business Owners to Combat Systemic Racism
Article
June 11, 2020

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.

Material Bank Aspires to Transform Product Selection for Architects
Article
June 25, 2020

An inside look at the company's bold ambitions.

How to Return to the Office
Article
July 13, 2020

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

An Open and Shut Case for Reducing COVID-19
Article
July 30, 2020

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

How to Make a Building Blast Resistant
Article
August 17, 2020

What we can learn from the tragedy in Lebanon.

What Toyo Ito's Pao Project Teaches Us About Pandemic Living
Article
August 28, 2020

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

The Acoustic Challenge of the Post-COVID 19 Office
Article
September 16, 2020

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

What the Coronavirus Has Taught Us About Air Pollution
Article
September 29, 2020

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

Jack Travis and the Search for a Black Architecture
Article
October 16, 2020

An interview with the architect about his groundbreaking career.

What a Biden Win Means for Sustainable Design
Article
November 11, 2020

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

Harold Hay, Skytherm, and the Quest for Passive Cooling
Article
December 11, 2020

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

A Sugar High for Architects
Article
December 15, 2020

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

Think Small: Architecture and the Microbiome
Article
December 18, 2020

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

Consider the Possibilities of Cardboard
Article
January 5, 2021

The sustainable design potential of this humble material.

Innovative Products and Materials for 2021
Article
January 21, 2021

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

The Biowaste Revolution
Article
January 26, 2021

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

How Good Are the Latest Sustainable Product Platforms?
Article
February 17, 2021

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

The Pandemic Package Boom Will Change Design
Article
February 24, 2021

The ways residential and commercial projects are already adapting.

The Art of Salvage
Article
March 26, 2021

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

What Architects Can Learn From Kintsugi
Article
April 13, 2021

The possibilities of the Japanese art form.

The Benefits of Biochar
Article
April 23, 2021

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

Office of the Future
Article
May 10, 2021

What the post-COVID workplace will look like.

The Untapped Potential of Architectural Jamming
Article
May 27, 2021

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

Rethinking Smart Materials
Article
June 23, 2021

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

How to Combat Noise Pollution
Article
July 6, 2021

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

Lessons from the Champlain Towers Collapse
Article
July 15, 2021

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

The Best Contemporary Architecture in Japan
Article
July 26, 2021

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

Designing an Air Conditioner That Doesn't Heat the Earth
Article
August 11, 2021

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

Can Timber Construction Be a Significant Carbon Sink?
Article
August 27, 2021

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

Working Toward a Carbon-Free Steel
Article
September 9, 2021

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

Buildings Get a Lifelog Thanks to Sensors
Article
September 23, 2021

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.

Could Wood Replace Our Need for Wires?
Article
October 20, 2021

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

Hemp: The Next Disruptor in Construction After Wood?
Article
October 28, 2021

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.

Introducing Scrapflation, a Superior Option to Shrinkflation and Skimpflation
Article
November 11, 2021

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

Post-COP26, How Green Can We Make Concrete?
Article
November 23, 2021

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

The Internet of Things Approaches Wireless, Touchless Power
Article
December 9, 2021

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

Plastic Shields Won’t Save Us
Article
December 27, 2021

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

Products and Tech to Watch in 2022
Article
January 6, 2022

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

Expo 2020 Dubai Hints at a Sea Change in Display Technology
Article
January 27, 2022

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

Agricultural Dreaming at the Dubai Expo
Article
February 7, 2022

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

The Coming Renewable Energy Revolution in the Middle East
Article
February 24, 2022

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.

The Acceleration of Building Sensors Networks
Article
March 16, 2022

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

Consider the Porch
Article
March 30, 2022

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.

A 3D-Printing Breakthrough Inspired by a French Painter
Article
April 8, 2022

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

The Grassroots Gasworks Preservation Triumph in Istanbul
Article
April 25, 2022

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

Recomposition as Historic Preservation at the Atatürk Cultural Center
Article
May 10, 2022

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

Contemporary Glass: An Instrument of Light, Shadow, and Reflection
Article
May 31, 2022

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

Graphene: A 'Supermaterial' Future
Article
June 7, 2022

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.

Zaha Hadid Architects Goes Meta in Seoul Exhibition
Article
June 14, 2022

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.

Is Architecture Fueling this Pandemic, and Future Ones?
Article
July 8, 2022

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.

How to Grow Concrete, and Other Bio Hacks
Article
July 21, 2022

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

One of the Most Significant Memorials on the Planet
Article
August 11, 2022

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.

How is Monkeypox Behaving in the Built Environment?
Article
August 26, 2022

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.

Tree Thieves: Who Owns the Forest?
Article
September 7, 2022

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.

The Rising Popularity of Holistic Interior Greening
Article
September 26, 2022

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

Bridging UX and the Built Environment
Article
October 12, 2022

Exploring the influence of user experience design in architecture.

Lecture: University of Utah
Lecture
October 28, 2022

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

Learning from India
Article
November 2, 2022

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

The Future of Design
Lecture
November 8, 2022

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

The Future of Insulation
Article
November 15, 2022

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

Can Windows Be Better Insulators?
Article
November 22, 2022

Exploring new products and processes aimed at boosting insulation capacity.

Are Building Codes Keeping Us From a Greener Built Environment?
Article
December 14, 2022

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.

The Plastic You Breathe
Article
December 23, 2022

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

Five Material Technology Trends To Watch in 2023
Article
January 5, 2023

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

The Pandemic Effect
Book
January 10, 2023

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.

Will Forests Drive the Hydrogen Economy?
Article
January 27, 2023

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

The Carbon Footprint of Material Obsolescence
Article
February 10, 2023

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.

East Palestine Disaster Raises New Questions About Reliance on Toxic Materials
Article
February 28, 2023

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.

Improving Air Quality Should Be a Global Priority
Article
March 16, 2023

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

The Consequences of Light Pollution
Article
March 22, 2023

Exploring how excessive outdoor illumination impacts the health of ecosystems.

The Cost of Mining Carrara Marble
Article
April 13, 2023

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

Is There New Hope for Plastic?
Article
April 25, 2023

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

Advances in Fabric Technology Point to a Promising Future
Article
May 15, 2023

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

How Do Designed Environments Affect Health?
Lecture
May 17, 2023

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

The Architecture of Energy
Article
May 29, 2023

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

Exploring Junya Ishigami’s KAIT Plaza
Article
June 13, 2023

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.

Brooklyn-Based Firm Particle Launches Homewares Collection Made From Recycled Footwear
Article
June 28, 2023

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.

Immersive Art Exhibitions Offer Lessons for Architecture and Design
Article
July 12, 2023

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

Exterior and Interior Surfaces Can Help Mitigate Air Pollution
Article
July 28, 2023

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

How Can We Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Bricks?
Article
August 17, 2023

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

Materials Science Is Starting to Reap the Benefits of AI
Article
September 1, 2023

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.

New Building in Germany Demonstrates Advances in Textile Architecture
Article
September 25, 2023

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

Pre-20th Century Construction Practices May Offer Clues to Tackling Climate Change
Article
October 3, 2023

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.

Carbon Capture and Storage Is Crucial to Lowering Emissions
Article
October 11, 2023

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

Product Manufacturers Are Looking to the Ocean for Resources
Article
October 23, 2023

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

AI's Next Conquest? Supply Chain Management
Article
November 13, 2023

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.

Suzanne Tick Is Reshaping Textiles
Article
November 21, 2023

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

Pandemic Effect Symoposium
Lecture
December 7, 2023

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

The Grand Egyptian Museum Represents a Paradigm Shift in Museum Design
Article
December 12, 2023

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

Beyond the Pyramids
Article
December 29, 2023

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

The Hottest Year on Record Spurs Innovation in Climate-Adaptive Building Materials
Article
January 22, 2024

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

Innovating the Future: Cairo's Young Entrepreneurs Pioneer a Sustainable Material Revolution
Article
February 9, 2024

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

Revolutionizing Construction: The Rise of 3D-Printed Nanocellulose
Article
March 4, 2024

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

A Second Plastic Age
Lecture
March 11, 2024

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

An Interview with Pritzker Prize winner Riken Yamamoto
Article
March 13, 2024

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

Elevating Architecture: The Revolutionary Potential of STFE in Light Construction
Article
March 21, 2024

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

Blending Worlds: The Rise of Phygital Spaces
Article
April 2, 2024

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

Reimagining Grandeur: The Digital Era Embraces Baroque Inspirations
Article
April 20, 2024

Contemporary design meets historic complexity in the second digital turn.

The New Luxury
Lecture
May 11, 2024

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

Building the Future with Snow: An Architectural Innovation in Greenland
Article
May 23, 2024

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.

War on Dull Buildings
Lecture
May 29, 2024

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

Rethinking Construction: The Rise of Wood as a Sustainable Material
Article
June 12, 2024

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

Tokyo Transformed: A Journey Through Urban Innovation
Article
June 25, 2024

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

Building Against the Mold: A Climate-Resilient Approach
Article
July 3, 2024

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

Robots Revolutionize Construction: A New Era of Building Efficiency and Safety
Article
July 21, 2024

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

AI is Shaping Architecture’s New Reality Faster Than We Expected
Article
September 27, 2024

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

A Blueprint for Reimagining Urban Spaces
Article
October 22, 2024

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

Beyond Boundaries: Plan:B’s Permeable Architecture in Medellin
Article
November 7, 2024

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

Revolutionizing Refrigeration and Beyond: The Rise of Ultra-Thin Vacuum Insulation Technology
Article
November 19, 2024

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