Ipe (pronounced ee-pay) wood – from the Ipe Tree – is one of the world’s most unique woods, but many architects, designers and builders have been refusing to use it because it is difficult to source from environmentally-sustainable operations. Ipe wood is a stunning exotic wood that’s ideal for decking, siding and other outdoor uses, … Read more
Over the last several years, certain Architecture & Design trends have risen to prominence and are now widely used. How these trends interconnect is really interesting to me. Sustainability, modular design, minimalism, and biophilic design may seem disparate, but they all have one common thread: intentionality. All of these ideas promote a deliberate, purposeful design … Read more
Shou Sugi Ban: What is it? Originating in 18th century Japan, Shou Sugi Ban is a particularly striking method of preserving wood by charring it with fire. Originally called Yakisugi in Japanese, we now refer to it as Shou Sugi Ban (interestingly, due to a botched translation). This technique has been used for centuries in Japan … Read more
The world of Architecture & Design is the most diverse it’s ever been. Every day, new ideas sprout and old ideas are reimagined. You only have to take a look at some of the latest trends to see this innovation. With so much richness and depth present, and new vocabulary emerging, it’s important to be … Read more
Reclaimed wood is a popular design trend today. This versatile building material has quickly gained momentum with some of the top designers and architects, and you’ll see it gracing commercial buildings across the globe. Fittingly, reclaimed wood has a long and storied past. The reclaiming of wood stretches back to the early twentieth century with … Read more
Each year, I like to take note of the interior design trends. And each year, sustainable design trends become more and more prominent, This year, sustainable design is leading. Architects and designers are taking pains to make great-looking buildings that are also friendlier to the environment, and that approach shows in some of this year’s … Read more
Toyota has long been a leader in sustainable practices in the auto industry – and that stretches far beyond the Prius. Touting a company-wide commitment from the top down, they have made great strides to reduce water consumption, materials waste, carbon emissions, and have even gone so far as to protect biodiversity and wildlife habitat. … Read more
As we learn more about the effects of biophilia; improved mood, reduced stress, and enhanced productivity, more and more businesses around the world are seeking both small and large ways to implement biophilia. If you’re looking to include an element that enhances the aesthetic of a space and turns heads, then you’ll want to take … Read more
Each year, there are new sets of lists describing the design trends for the upcoming year. This year, I thought I’d view these trends through a biophilic lens. There’s no doubt that the yearly trends are important on their own as they can be indicative of larger, more general changes in Architecture & Design. Thus, … Read more
The hospitality industry is more vibrant than ever, and with this boom has come an increased focus on customer experience. Hospitality designers have been looking to the field of experience design to provide more targeted, immersive experiences that leave smiles on customers’ faces. Ultimately, this means designing for the people you’ll be serving, and that … Read more
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