Stefan Beese, a New Orleans-based architect, has dove into an innovative form of recycled design with the “Dumpster Dive DeLux”, a pool made out of a defunct dumpster. You won’t be finding any cool old furniture when you jump in, but it will definitely feel much more luxurious. Read more »

Located in Hiroshima, Japan, this house has quite the minimalist and modern exterior, but head inside and the you’ll discover a traditional tamped earth floor. Japanese architect Makoto Tanijiri of Suppose Office created it with natural local materials for a rustic, earthy effect.

The home is filled with sliding walls and windows and traditional, simple materials, allowing residents to easily fill the space with their own furniture and belongings without worrying about the current style. He used white surfaces, wood, and multiple levels to create a flexible, comfortable atmosphere.

The traditional floor is affordable, made of local materials, and keeps the space warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It is virtually effortless to install, and yet another example of how we can use our natural outdoor materials to create a cozy, minimalist living space that is still close to nature.

This recycled shipping container stage was created by architecture studio O+A in celebration of Amsterdam’s Over het IJ theatre festival’s 20th anniversary. Made of locally sourced materials, the containers have been retrofitted to create a temporary space designed for live artistic performances. Read more »

Rotunda Living, a small home builder based in the United Kingdom, has designed some small, contemporary round houses inspired by nature’s shapes and elements. They look like the perfect backyard getaway to use as a studio, guest bedroom, pool house, or meditative escape space.

The design is similar to a yurt, but with solid walls. The plan is to use locally-sourced materials and a local supply chain to create quality, sustainable materials that will not sacrifice aesthetics. Each design uses natural, breathable, and efficient materials for insulation and construction, providing a healthy environment that inspires creativity in an atmosphere inspired by nature. Read more »

Blu® Homes is now offering “start to finish” project management services so that they can more easily provide customers with precision-engineered, green prefabricated houses. BluServ™ Plus services include design, fixed bid, general contractor, schedule management, project management, and site work. Read more »