Noorderparkbar by bureau SLA and Overtreders W; photo by Jeroen Musch

Constructed entirely out of second-hand materials, this wood-clad coffee shack has been realised by two Amsterdam-based practices Bureau SLA and Overtreders W. Also located in the Dutch capital, Noorderparkbar was developed in a design-as-you-go fashion considering the source of the structure’s components and the pavilion was completed earlier in spring 2012. (more…)

Herzelia Green House by Sharon Neuman Architects; photo courtesy of the architect

This multi-faceted, two-storey detached residence has been competed by an Israeli Sharon Neuman Architects practice. Developed on a long and narrow 800-square-meters plot, the 215-square-meters house has been designed with energy efficiency in mind and incorporates a number of environment-friendly solutions such as: efficient insulating materials, rainwater and dew collection and storage units, water recycling system, and a solar water heater. (more…)

Dutch Mountain by denieuwegeneratie; photo by Jaap Vliegenthart / John Lewis Marshall

While ‘Dutch Mountain’ might sound like a rather evident oxymoron, similarly, the eclectic and decidedly curious interior of this single family residence doesn’t fall short to live up to its name. Developed earlier last year by a young Amsterdam-based practice denieuwegeneratie, the house has been designed with an aim to minimise its ecological footprint and thanks to a number of experimental sustainable strategies, ‘Dutch Mountain’ is in effect ‘a house in which the total amount of energy produced exceeds its consumption: excess energy can be used for a electric car.’ (more…)

Stereoscopic House by pencil office; photo courtesy of the architects

With sustainability high on the agenda, a Singapore-based practice pencil office have recently completed this detached, weekend house located on Singapore’s popular resort island of Sentosa. Overlooking the ocean, the Stereoscopic House incorporates a number of environment-friendly solutions such as; low-E glazing, solar hot-water heating, extensive cross ventilation, rain harvesting systems, and evaporative cooling. (more…)

Rosa Gardens by Brooks & Scarpa; photo by John Edward Linden

The Los Angeles-based architectural practice Brooks & Scarpa have recently completed this 7914-square-meters affordable apartment building located in the picturesque area of the famous for its mid-century modern architecture Palm Springs, California. Comprising 57, two and three-bedroom family units, Rosa Gardens prides itself with ‘more than a 75% recycling rate’ and many sustainable solutions such as; passive solar design strategies, wide use of recycled materials - insulation is made from recycled newspapers while building’s façade is clad with recycled aluminum cans formed into building blocks – have been employed in the design of this $12.5-million development. (more…)

Amunt - Architekten Martenson Und Nagel Theissen - the winners of this year's AR House Awards

Earlier last week, architects Bjorn Martenson, Sonja Nagel and Jan Theissen of Amunt practice have been announced the winners of the first prize in this year’s edition of AR House Awards for their passively heatable and partly pre-fabricated single family home project, ‘Just K, Zero Energy House‘.

Organised by Architectural Review and held at the Laufen Forum, the AR House Awards were awarded for the second time. Here, the winning trio explains why they decided to build the house as a solid wood construction, what is the difference between designing a public building or a private house and what does the award mean to them. (more…)

Four-cornered villa by Avanto Architects; photo by Anders Portman and Martin Sommerschield

This sustainable cross-shaped villa tucked away on an island near the Finnish town of Virrat has been completed by the Helsinki-based practice of Anu Puustinen and Ville Hara, Avanto Architects.

Quintessentially Nordic, the 78-square-meters house has no running water and is solely dependent on solar energy while the good insolation and wood-fueled heating system make the villa carbon-neutral. (more…)

Integer Bamboo House by Oval Partnership

The Hong Kong-based multi-disciplinary practice specilising in sustainable lifestyle projects Oval Partnership has realised this two-storey bamboo house located in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. The world’s first multi-storey house developed in this fast-growing environmentally friendly natural material, Integer Bamboo has a light, highly durable structure which has been designed specifically for the hilly region of western China. (more…)