Asia has been growing at a staggering rate for quite some time now (both figuratively and literally). From Dubai, China to Malaysia, land reclamation is nothing new as the furious demand for a variety of developments has fuelled the creation of coastal reclamations from the sea. According to public projects published since 1990, China is […]
Read More… from Land Reclamation in Asia: Is eco-engineering possible?
Many of the social, economic and environmental issues affecting our cities can be ascribed to the uncontrolled urbanisation of the past century. These changes are the aftermath of a model of progress that also believes in sacrificing the natural environment to make way for industry and economic growth. Among the ‘victims’ of such beliefs are […]
How can students, researchers and practitioners of architecture harness new-age technology to address real-world application pain points? Student projects often explore abstract, even utopian ideas at the levels of philosophy, form and functionality. This is based on what we are encouraged to do in architecture school—to push the envelope with regards to the meaning of […]
Before the proliferation of air-conditioners (ACs), a main task of architecture was to create enclosures that befit its specific climate. In tropical regions, this translated to wide openings that invite breeze, coupled with overhanging roofs that could shelter against hot sun and rain; subtropical climates relied on thick walls that could keep out the cold […]
Read More… from Can we cool buildings without overheating the planet?
Nowadays, the title of an architect could refer to separate professions with physical and digital counterparts—architects are traditionally practitioners that deal with the physical built environment, but the same title has grown to be used by those crafting networks in information technology (IT), data systems or software. As the divide between physical and virtual environments […]
Read More… from Architectural practice in Web 3.0: What is the true ‘cost’?
In the aviation industry, animals have a connotation of danger and disruption. Wildlife that strays into airport territory could cause delays with a ripple effect on flight schedules—along with the larger risk of machine damage. However, Nature’s creatures and winged machinery may not be as adverse as many would imagine. In fact, they have long […]
Read More… from Animals are aiding airport operations: Bee quality officers, falcon patrols and more
In densely built-up urban areas, it is possible—and increasingly affordable—for high-rise buildings to generate renewable energy through photovoltaic cells and wind turbines. But to properly balance supply with demand, the energy needs to be stored in batteries, which are still high in cost. Researchers from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) have come […]
Read More… from Could high-rise lifts and empty flats be turned into batteries?
Lime plaster finishes applied on wall. Photo by Manu Narendran Socially conscious people in India have begun looking for sustainable alternatives to building. They understand the benefits of building chemical-free; using natural materials and traditional building methods—something that has been done traditionally in rural India for ages. As such, they are not new, but were […]
Since Asia has some of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, it would be remiss if this issue does not shine a light on how lesser known but effective low-cost earthquake-resistant techniques such as containment reinforcement could make an impact, especially in the remote areas of Asia’s hotbed of tectonic activities. This project tells the story […]
We by ourselves cannot know everything and that is why cross pollination or the exchange of ideas is vital in developing innovation. This article investigates how architectural concepts brewing in other parts of the world could be applied to buildings elsewhere so that collectively, the built environment can become a solution to the current state […]
Do you know that it is possible to produce ice cubes in the tropics (not in the fridge)? Most people are surprised to learn that it is possible by designing with the climate. Last year, our consultancy firm came very close, measuring a temperature below 5 degrees Celsius inside our innovative sky cooling box, which […]
Read More… from The Sky as a Source of Cooling & Other Tropical Innovations
The street house (SH), which emerged in the 17th century, is an individual urban housing type that has evolved in response to Vietnam’s unique cultural and environmental conditions. In this type of house, residential and commercial functions are integrated in a flexible and expandable manner, creating a variety of compositional possibilities in spatial layouts. As […]
Read More… from Adapting Vietnam’s Urban Street House to High-Rise Apartments
