Environment News

Carbon-neutral science museum in Sweden will be powered by bicycles

Jul 19, 2019: Museum visitors will be invited to help generate electricity for the carbon-neutral museum by riding “energy bikes” on its concave roof.

Entrepreneur sells mushroom suits that decompose your body after death

Jul 19, 2019: Sustainability might be the last thought on your mind when a loved one dies, but one entrepreneur believes that everyone can be eco-friendly in life and in death.

MASK Architects design a sustainable pavilion nestled in a German forest

Jul 19, 2019: Dubbed Leaf and Bean Co Pavilion, the building will house a coffee shop, a semi-open library, recreational areas and an events space.

Zara pledges 100% sustainable fabrics by 2025

Jul 19, 2019: This week, major fashion brand Zara announced a pledge to use 100 percent sustainable fabrics by 2025.

Natures silent soldiers aiding in the fight against air pollution

Jul 19, 2019: Cities should be planting more trees, but the reasons why may be more complicated than you think. As it turns out, trees provide so much more than aesthetics and a way for humans to connect with nature. More and more research is emerging about how the proper implementation of tree planting in urban areas and cities could help solve growing environmental issues. We already know that nature can improve mental health. It can inspire positive engagement with community and provide the kind of groundedness...

Steel-framed treehouse slated for Malaysian national park

Jul 19, 2019: Related: + Daniel Tiong Photography by Steven Ngu Ngie Woon, Daniel Tiong…

Giant totems in Poland warn against climate change catastrophe

Jul 18, 2019: The massive totems derive their bold patterns, vibrant colors and shapes from statistics on pressing environmental topics, from deforestation to air pollution to plastic production.

Extreme heat wallops US

Jul 18, 2019: If you live in the central or eastern USA, fill your ice trays and seek shade. A major heat wave is putting 50 million Americans under a heat warning. People in Nashville, Chicago, Kansas City, Philadelphia, New York, Washington DC and many other cities will be fanning themselves as temperatures top 95 degrees. High humidity will intensify the effect. "The prolonged duration of the heat and humidity will potentially become dangerous to those most vulnerable," the National Weather Service warned....

Stunning solar-powered home in Singapore melds with adjacent botanic gardens

Jul 18, 2019: Located on top of a hill overlooking the incredible gardens, the solar-powered Botanica House boasts an open layout heavily influenced by a soothing combination of Feng Shui and sustainability.

Study shows reusable menstrual cups are safe and just as effective as tampons, pads

Jul 18, 2019: Most people can’t shake their familiar comfort with tampons and pads, but a new study indicates that the cup is just as effective as the disposables and has no health risks.

Modern luxury resort blends into the lush coffee hills of India

Jul 18, 2019: The misty coffee hills of southwest India recently gained a new luxury resort designed by Bangalore-based architectural firm Cadence Architects.

Tiks cuffs aim to break the plastic waste circle

Jul 18, 2019: Companies around the globe looking for ways to battle plastic waste are coming up with innovative ways to tackle the issue. Cape Clasp, based out of Falmouth, Massachusetts is an example of a business putting the health of the ocean front and center with the release of Tikós, a line of bracelets made from recycled plastic. <!--more→ While each bracelet, or cuff, represents 100 plastic bottles removed from the ocean, the message goes well beyond simply recycling plastic. The leaders...

Passive solar home makes the most of a difficult, triangular site in Sydney

Jul 17, 2019: When asked to renovate and expand a home on a challenging triangular lot in Sydney, local architectural practice studioplusthree decided to build upward to make the most of the awkward site.

EPA lifts ban on pesticide proven to be toxic to honeybees

Jul 17, 2019: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has re-approved a pesticide for use throughout the country despite its known toxicity to honey bee populations. The chemical, Sulfoxaflor, is produced by DowDupont, a major chemical company that contributed US $1 million to President Trump’s campaign. Their product is now approved for use on corn, strawberries, citrus, pumpkins, pineapples and soybeans. Sulfoxaflor was originally approved for use by the EPA in 2013, but the approval was adementally...

Custom camper van lets nomads immerse themselves in infinite adventures

Jul 17, 2019: Although Calgary-based Yama Nomad claims that its cool camper vans are “Not your mom and dad’s RV,” its custom-made tiny homes on wheels are perfect for anyone needing a little adventure in their lives.

Impossible Foods tests a fish-less fish protein

Jul 17, 2019: Leading plant-based protein brand Impossible Foods recently announced it is experimenting with a fish-less seafood product and expects it to be on shelves soon.

The pros and cons of electromobility

Jul 17, 2019: To those of us who concentrate on sustainability and green options for travel, electromobility appears to be a godsend — but the increasingly popular electromobility lifestyle still holds good and bad traits.

Surround yourself with Californias wildlife and flora at Oakland Zoos eco-minded California Trail

Jul 17, 2019: If you’re looking for a unique, family-friendly activity in the Bay Area, look no further than the California Trail at the Oakland Zoo.

Brazilian timber home uses bioclimatic principles to reduce its environmental footprint

Jul 16, 2019: Designed by Brazilian firm PITTA Arquitetura, the aptly named Casa Modelo serves as an architectural model for sustainable home design.

Chevron spills 800,000 gallon of oil and water in California

Jul 16, 2019: Major oil corporation Chevron spilled 800,000 gallons of crude oil and water into a dry creek in southern California. The spill is estimated to contain mostly water, but experts estimate that between 240,000 and 265,000 is crude oil, making it in the largest oil spill in California’s recent history. The spill first occurred on May 10th and stopped immediately, however it began to seep again and continued between June 8th and June 23rd. The head of California’s Division of Oil, Gas and Geotherman...

Breezy brick house with a ground-floor cafe mimics the shape of a cuckoo clock

Jul 16, 2019: Tropical Space has combined a single-family home with a coffee shop to create an architecturally striking mixed-use building that evokes the playful shapes of a cuckoo clock.

Should you stop watching Netflix because it is bad for the environment?

Jul 16, 2019: The world’s digital obsession doesn’t come without a carbon footprint.

Experimental design-build festival takes over Californian desert

Jul 16, 2019: For the second year in a row, design lab Space Saloon has just wrapped up an exciting avant-garde art festival deep in the Southern Californian desert.

Steven Holls new solar-powered concert hall plays up the dramatic contrast between new and old

Jul 16, 2019: New York-based Steven Holl Architects and Architecture Acts has won an international competition to design the new 1,300-seat concert hall in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Created as a “perfect acoustic instrument in its case,” the acoustics-driven design has a strikingly contemporary appearance with a rounded zinc-clad exterior that stands in dramatic contrast with the Ostrava Cultural Center, a modern classicism-style building that will be overlapped by the new concert hall. In addition to optimized...

Endangered rhino population up 1000% in Tanzania following poaching crackdown

Jul 15, 2019: The president of Tanzania reported that since his election, the population of endangered rhinos has increased by 1000 percent.

Bamboo Luum Temple preaches sustainable development in Tulum

Jul 15, 2019: Unchecked development in the rapidly growing Mexican beach town of Tulum is threatening to destroy the region’s environment. In hopes of inspiring more sustainable growth, local architectural firm CO-LAB Design Office created Luum Temple, an eco-friendly bamboo structure for a new conservation-minded residential development called Luum Zama. Located in a conserved area of native jungle in Tulum, the bamboo community structure features five catenary arches, the shapes of which were informed by parametric...

DoneGood challenges Amazon Prime Days with rival discounts that help the planet

Jul 15, 2019: DoneGood, an e-commerce platform, is taking the ‘high road’ by offering exclusively ethical brands, but it isn’t above aiming to steal the loyalty of its competitor’s customers on the highly anticipated Amazon Prime Day.

Sustainable toiletries packaged in soap aim to eliminate single-use plastics

Jul 15, 2019: Already well-known for her innovative and sustainable designs, Mi Zhou has just unveiled Soapack, a collection of sustainable shampoo packaging made out of soap.

Millenials are bringing camping back

Jul 15, 2019: Let’s get one thing straight: camping was always cool. It wasn’t, however, always a very popular pastime among young people. According to the 2019 North American Camping Report sponsored by Kampgrounds of America, there are more millennials and Gen Xers likely to identify themselves as lifelong campers now than in any other year. The study, which began in 2014, was conducted through surveys in both the United States and Canada. The percentage of North Americans who camp three or more...

Pentagonal Snhetta cabin overlooks breathtaking Oslo views

Jul 15, 2019: Beautiful vistas aren’t the only treat awaiting hikers in Oslo’s Nordmarka forest — a Snøhetta-designed cabin has recently been added near one of the city’s most stunning viewpoints.

Nearly 5,000 prefab concrete panels wrap BIG-designed outdoor urban room in France

Jul 12, 2019: Bjarke Ingels Group and FREAKS freearchitects have completed a new cultural center for Bordeaux, France that frames the UNESCO-listed city’s love for contemporary art, film, performances and the waterfront.

Finnish startup makes alternative protein from carbon dioxide

Jul 12, 2019: An innovative start-up company from Finland has piloted a new alternative protein product made out of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Artist David Mach designs sculptural building out of repurposed shipping containers

Jul 12, 2019: Related: + David Mach Via Archdaily…

Police seize over 10,000 animals in global crackdown on wildlife trade

Jul 12, 2019: What do 4,300 birds, 1,500 reptiles, 10,000 turtles, 23 primates, 70 truckloads of timber and 30 big cats all have in common? No, they’re not the residents of a new zoo — all of these critical plants and animals were seized in a major international operation that cracked down on wildlife smuggling.

This eco-friendly bamboo restaurant was built in just 5 weeks

Jul 12, 2019: Crystal-blue waters, luxury accommodations and tropical appeal aren’t the only draws of Sundy Praia, São Tomé and Príncipe's first five‑star resort. The sustainably minded destination is also home to an award-winning restaurant crafted from bamboo.

This unique eco home was designed to reduce energy use

Jul 12, 2019: Located in Toronto, Canada, this eco home by Craig Race Architecture was built entirely with sustainability in mind.

Porous brick walls keep this bold Vietnamese home naturally cool

Jul 11, 2019: In an effort to beat the tropical heat in southern Vietnam’s Long An province, Ho Chi Minh city-based architecture firm Tropical Space created a home that maximizes natural ventilation.

Can mass timber reform construction's carbon footprint?

Jul 11, 2019: A new technique for building wooden mid- and high-rise buildings may unlock a critical strategy for reducing the construction industry's massive carbon footprint.

Former restaurateurs convert an ancient bread oven building into a charming Airbnb cottage

Jul 11, 2019: Airbnb has any number of unique properties, but this luxurious cottage in an idyllic French village looks scrumptious enough to eat.

France announces eco tax on plane tickets

Jul 11, 2019: The French government announced that it will roll out a tax on all international flights departing from France starting in 2020.

14 apps to help you live a more eco-friendly sustainable lifestyle

Jul 11, 2019: So you’ve made the choice to start living more sustainably. That’s great! Figuring out how to start can be daunting, but luckily technology is here to help. These handy resources can fit in your pocket and serve as a reminder to continue your journey towards a more sustainable, greener life--whether you’re an experienced advocate for sustainability or just starting out. Forest Forest lets you combine mindfulness, productivity and focus with real-life tree planting. By not checking...

Cartoon-inspired prefab treehouse can grow taller and wider over time

Jul 11, 2019: Design practice Studio Precht teamed up with tiny-house startup Baumbau to design Bert, a tiny modular treehouse that’s expected to hit the market in spring 2020. Inspired by the Minion cartoons, the playful periscope-like structures eschew hard angles and offer a livable and cozy environment with a minimal footprint and off-grid capabilities, including built-in solar and a water treatment facility. Designed as a reaction to Bauhaus-style buildings found in cities worldwide, Bert embraces diversity...

Everywhere Travel Co. launches sales of A-frame cabin plans for $2K

Jul 10, 2019: With summer vacation coming into full swing, charming A-frame cabins are once again popping up all over Instagram. The Everywhere Travel Co. is also jumping on the A-frame bandwagon and has just begun selling A-frame construction plans for $1,950. Now available for sale at the temporarily discounted price of $1,950, the AYFRAYM cabin construction plans are delivered in a box that...

Toxic algae bloom forces all Mississippi beaches to close

Jul 10, 2019: The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) announced a total ban on swimming in the ocean until a toxic algae bloom subsides.

A timber observation tower with a vertical forest is proposed for Zagreb

Jul 10, 2019: Dubbed Ascension, the timber structure would serve as a “new gate” between the historic parts of the city and the post-war areas.

Whiskey spill in Kentucky kills thousands of fish

Jul 10, 2019: Two Jim Beam warehouses in Kentucky erupted in flames last week, spilling nearly 45,000 barrels of bourbon into the Kentucky River.

De Stijl-inspired modern home generates all of its own energy

Jul 10, 2019: When a couple decided to “break free” from their cookie-cutter home and realize their long-awaited eco-friendly dream home, they turned to Chapel Hill-based architect Arielle Condoret Schechter to bring their vision to life. With their grown son now out of the house, the couple wanted to downsize to a simple modernist home where they could peacefully age in place. Nestled in a secluded place in the woods of Chatham County, North Carolina, the resulting sustainable home is custom-designed to meet...