The use of oriented strand board (OSB), a type of engineered timber featuring large wood strands that is made by compressing strips of wood in particular directions, has been listed as one of the rising interior design trends of 2020. Originally used in building construction as preliminary sheathing for floors, walls or roofs, the material has grown to be appreciated by designers and architects for its aesthetic qualities, random organic composure and recycled properties.
The pandemic has returned the spotlight to the soap thanks to the fact that it can disrupt the lipid membranes that protect pathogens with its natural surfactants. The resulting high demand for synthetic liquid soaps has led to burgeoning plastic waste, which forced product designers to think of more sustainable approaches to self-cleansing and looked at ways of encouraging the use of soap without the need for plastic packaging.
Constructed by people rather than formed by natural means, artificial islands may vary in size from small islets reclaimed solely to provide a new habitat for local fauna to those that support entire communities. We have selected a number of fantastic man-made islands projects designed to create new sustainable areas for business, recreation or preserving biodiversity.
Imagine a micro-home you can take away anywhere in the world. These cabins are prefabricated in a factory, which ensures they can be easily transported and erected in remote locations. No matter whether you want to use it as an isolated off-grid retreat to connect with nature or use it as a garden office, these designs help minimize damage to the site and speed up the construction.
Creative minds often turn to nature for innovative design solutions. We have collected some eye-catching buildings that were inspired by butterflies and managed to grasp the lightness and beauty of these ethereal creatures with their finest wings and intrinsic shape.
No winter wonderland is possible without snow. The idyllic picture of show-capped trees and shimmering snow dunes definitely adds to the festive mood in the holidays’ season. We have collected three stories about absolutely different but equally creative ways to celebrate snow.
Predictably, healthcare was on our minds this year – and coronavirus was not the only disease people had to combat. The coronavirus pandemic has led to many people missing their health screening appointments. That is probably why innovative products that help people test their health without having to leave home seem to be especially vital.
Construction industry accounts for a large proportion of greenhouse gas emissions, one of the main reasons of climate crisis. Today, many architects address this issue turning to carbon-neutral buildings, when carbon emissions are minimised at all stages, including the manufacturing processes, during construction and use. Carbon-neutral buildings, which feature climate-positive initiatives so that the net carbon footprint over time is zero, are becoming more common.
Architecture schools are not typical academic buildings. They are valued by their occupants not only for providing the valuable space for studies. Serving as full-scale teaching tools for students to learn how to read and understand architecture, they create a particularly unique building-user relationship. The educational buildings can teach young professionals such core concepts of architecture as structure, details, how materials interact, and how the building fits within its architectural context.
Polycarbonate is an incredibly useful plastic for applications requiring transparency and high impact resistance. It is a lighter alternative to glass and a natural UV filter, while its thermal insulation properties make it an increasingly popular choice for cladding and roofing. However, more than that, it can create an identity for an exterior of the building.
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