Tag: Sustainable design

Building a Sustainable Future: The Rise of Bio-Construction in South Africa

Architecture, Bio-Construction, Construction, Design, Eco-Friendly

Building a Sustainable Future: The Rise of Bio-Construction in South Africa The modern construction industry is facing a crisis of conscience. Globally, it is responsible for nearly 40% of carbon emissions—a staggering figure that reflects not only the materials we use but also how we use them. In an era defined by climate change, resource […]

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Why Biodiversity in the Urban Environment Matters

Conservation, Construction, Eco-Friendly, Environmental Restoration, Farming, Gardening, Sustainability

Why Biodiversity in the Urban Environment Matters The Global Decline of Insects and Urbanization Across the world, insect populations are plummeting at an alarming rate. Scientists estimate that nearly 40% of insect species are at risk of extinction within the next few decades, with habitat destruction, pesticide use, and urbanization being the main culprits. Cities,

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Sponge Cities and How They Work

Architecture, Conservation, Design, Environmental Restoration, Gardening, Sustainability, Town Planning, Water Management

Sponge Cities and How They Work Cities worldwide are grappling with the challenges of managing stormwater and preventing flooding in the face of increasing urbanization and climate change. Enter the concept of “sponge cities.” These innovative urban designs prioritize water absorption and management, mimicking natural processes to enhance urban resilience. By integrating green spaces, permeable

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Embracing Our Heritage: The Role of Natural Construction Materials

Architecture, Bio-Construction, Design, Environmental Restoration, Sustainability, Uncategorized

Embracing Our Heritage: The Role of Natural Construction Materials Heritage is a tapestry woven from the threads of our collective history, culture, and environment. It encompasses the practices, traditions, and materials that have shaped human civilization. Construction materials are a vital aspect of our architectural legacy. The way we build not only reflects our cultural

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What does an architect do?

Architecture, Construction, Design, Sustainability, Town Planning

What does an architect do? Introduction An architect in its simplest definition is a qualified person who designs, plans and supervises the construction of a building. The word architect is routed in the Greek word ‘arkhi’ meaning chief and ‘tekton’ meaning builder. Architects have probably been around for as long as people were building shelters

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Fighting climate-despair with Hope

Architecture, Construction, Design, Environmental Restoration, Sustainability

Fighting climate-despair with Hope Introduction: Climate despair, also called Ecological grief is defined as “the grief reaction stemming from the environmental loss of ecosystems by natural and man-made events.”[4] Another definition is “the grief felt in relation to experienced or anticipated ecological losses, including the loss of species, ecosystems, and meaningful landscapes due to acute or chronic environmental change.

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Floating Cities: The future or just a passing fad

Architecture, Construction, Design, Sustainability, Town Planning

Floating Cities: The future or just a passing fad Throughout history, humanity’s most iconic cities have been situated along coastlines and waterways. From Venice’s winding canals to New York’s bustling harbors, these cities have thrived near the water. However, in an era of unprecedented environmental challenges, the rising sea levels and coastal erosion now pose

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Regenerative Architecture: A way towards true sustainability

Architecture, Bio-Construction, Construction, Environmental Restoration, Sustainability

Regenerative Architecture: A way towards true sustainability The world of construction has long been at odds with the environment. Traditional construction practices have often prioritized short-term gains and convenience over the long-term health of our planet. The consequences of this approach are now glaringly evident in the form of climate change, resource depletion, and ecosystem

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Natural heating and cooling strategies for (almost) every climate

Construction, Design, Sustainability

Introduction For thousands of years before the invention of electricity, civilizations like the Persians in the Arabian desert or Celtic people in the British Isles designed their homes and cities around ancient practices to help regulate the temperature in their homes. Passive heating and cooling have been developed over decades, each generation refining and developing

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