Curitiba, Brazil: The more I think about this amazing revolving apartment buliding in Curitiba the more I wonder why anyone would really want such a thing, especially since you've got a 360 degree view to begin with. But still, something... [read on...]

Posted at 03:18 PM | Please feel free to comment (1)

Flagstaff, AZ: In the surpisingly chilly highlands near Flagstaff, AZ, weary skiers are invited to take shelter in a surprisingly cozy Yurt. Inspired by traditional Mongolian structures, the Yurt has taken off as an inexpensive, enironmentally benign, and incredibly practical... [read on...]

Posted at 07:24 PM

Chicago: While strolling through Bucktown the other day, I came upon this interesting use of bricks that makes an average building stand out nicely. Just twist a few rows and you get instant ornamentation. A simple gesture that goes a... [read on...]

Posted at 07:11 PM | Please feel free to comment (1)

Girona, Spain: Spanish cities are often plagued by a ring of really horrendous high-rise neighborhoods that look straight out of the apocalypse. This building, however, has been greatly improved by the addition of some colored graphic elements on the balconies.... [read on...]

Posted at 12:35 PM

Santa Monica: Not exactly sure how you rank buildings for their "greenness", but the new headquarters for the NRDC (National Resources Defense Council) achieved the following: "uses 60 to 75 percent less energy than a conventional building of its size,... [read on...]

Posted at 08:24 PM | Please feel free to comment (1)

New York: Billed as the first "green" high rise in the US, the Solaire claims it will use 35% less electricity than a comparable building and 50% less water. It even has photovoltaics on one side to help out a... [read on...]

Posted at 05:28 PM

Los Angeles: Shipping containers are finding new life as elements in building construction. This New York Times article is particularly inspiring. Readily available (even on EBay) for a few thousand bucks, recycled containers are incredibly durable, waterproof, and with a... [read on...]

Posted at 12:44 PM | Please feel free to comment (8)

San Francisco: Faced with an unprecidented glut of post dot-com office space, SF developers have begin converting office buildings into residences. Some of them, such as the building next to the Powell St. cable car turnaround should be especially spectacular.... [read on...]

Posted at 12:46 PM

Paris: There is a huge perimeter freeway encircling Paris, and a huge Expo Center at Porte de Versailles right next to it. The designers of one of the halls didn't see the freeway as an obstacle, but rather built a... [read on...]

Posted at 04:44 PM | Please feel free to comment (2)

The City: Continuing the discussion on Green Roofs, here is an interesting article from Metropolis mentioning two more interesting benefits that go beyond the building itself: Reduced ambient summer temperature, thus less need for air-conditioning, and in turn less energy... [read on...]

Posted at 02:18 PM | Please feel free to comment (1)

Munich: Well, this particular building is not the most attractive grass-roofed structure I've ever seen, but I thought it was a nifty because of how it imbeds itself in the earth, hobbit-like. This kind of building not only let's... [read on...]

Posted at 11:13 AM | Please feel free to comment (8)