Researchers at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), working in collaboration with the University of Miami and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), have achieved a compelling materials‑science breakthrough: by infusing a hardwood species with a nano‑scale iron compound, they have enhanced the durability of the wood—potentially altering how wood might be used in construction. At the core of the research is lignocellulose—the primary structural component of wood and many other plants.

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), working in collaboration with the University of Miami and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), have achieved a compelling materials‑science breakthrough: by infusing a hardwood species with a nano‑scale iron compound, they have enhanced the durability of the wood—potentially altering how wood might be used in construction. At the core of the research is lignocellulose—the primary structural component of wood and many other plants.

Planning a home remodel, addition, or new construction can feel overwhelming, and one of the first questions clients ask is: “When should I start?” The answer depends on the type and complexity of your project, as well as local construction conditions. Understanding the timing of design, approvals, and construction can save you time, money, and stress, ensuring a smooth experience from concept to completion.

It has been said that the only real building material is money. For an architect, the three key components informing the design process from day one forward are: what is the client’s program, what is the schedule, and what is the budget. Establishing and then tracking the project budget is often the most underrated of these three considerations, and yet it is equally if not more important than any of the others.

Wildfires are an increasingly pressing threat to residential communities, particularly in the western United States. In recent years, millions of acres have burned, destroying homes and upending lives. Traditional wildfire safety strategies—clearing brush, installing fire-resistant roofing, and using ember-resistant vents—remain important, but many homeowners are turning to active protection measures to augment these defenses. Among these, proprietary residential water spray defense systems have emerged as a promising line of protection, offering automated or semi-automated ways to reduce the risk of home ignition.

California homeowners are discovering a powerful way to generate passive income, house family affordably, and increase property value — all without moving. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior ADUs (JADUs) make it possible to turn unused space into opportunity. What Are ADUs and JADUs? An ADU is a secondary dwelling with complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons. It can be:

Accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, have shifted from being a clever workaround to a central piece of California’s housing strategy. Garage conversions, basement studios, and backyard cottages are now a common sight across the state—tangible responses to an ever-growing housing shortage. Walk through almost any neighborhood, and chances are you’ll spot one. But the rules around ADUs continue to evolve. Some laws affect who can live on the property, others push cities to provide pre-approved designs, and in certain cases, ADUs can even be sold independently.

Kinetic architecture is the design of buildings that can move without losing structural integrity. These movements may serve purely aesthetic purposes, adapt to environmental conditions, or enable functions impossible in static structures. Long imagined by designers, kinetic architecture became feasible in the late 20th century with advances in mechanics, electronics, and robotics. Today it is a growing field that blends engineering, artistry, and environmental responsiveness.

When planning a new home, most homeowners face a pivotal question: what kind of structure should I build? For decades, conventional wood framing has been the default choice in much of the United States. But more and more, insulating concrete forms (ICFs) are entering the conversation as a durable, energy-efficient, and sustainable alternative. ICFs are no longer experimental. They’re showing up in everything from modest homes to schools, offices, and luxury residences.

Few monuments in Europe capture the imagination like the Château de Chambord. Rising dramatically from the flat plains of the Loire Valley, it is less a traditional residence than a monumental experiment in architecture. Commissioned by King Francis I in 1519, Chambord sought to fuse the massive forms of medieval fortresses with the harmony and geometry of Renaissance design. The result is a structure at once familiar and radically new—an architectural statement intended not for defense or comfort, but to embody prestige, power, and artistic daring.

In the heart of the Marais district stands one of Paris’s finest examples of the hôtel particulier: the Hôtel de Sully. Despite its name, it was never a hotel in the modern sense but an urban aristocratic mansion, designed for prestige, display, and comfort within the constraints of a dense city setting. The hôtel particulier type had been established by the late Renaissance as a distinct form of urban dwelling for nobles — a carefully planned complex that reconciled grandeur with limited plots.

The noted American green building architect William McDonough is famously quoted as once saying that buildings should, among other qualities, “live off current solar income”. What was merely a hypothetic concept in the early 1990’s has since firmly taken root: net zero energy (NZE) has taken on significant momentum as one of the factors shaping the sustainable construction movement.

Starting a construction project—whether it’s a new home, an addition, or a major renovation—is both exciting and daunting. By this point, you’ve likely invested considerable time with your architect, refining your design and ensuring every detail of the construction documents reflects your vision. Those plans are now complete, and the dream you’ve been imagining is ready to move from paper to reality.

Chartres Cathedral—officially the Cathedral of Notre-Dame—is one of the most revered examples of French Gothic architecture. Located in the town of Chartres in northwestern France, it stands alongside Amiens and Reims cathedrals as one of the three great Gothic churches of France. Renowned for its architectural innovation, dramatic stained glass, and intricate sculpture, Chartres is not only a masterpiece of medieval engineering but also a profound expression of religious devotion.

La Samaritaine was constructed 1904-1910 by merchant Ernest Cognacq and his wife Marie-Louise Jaÿ. Its original buildings, occupying a prime position on the banks of the Seine, were designed by architects Frantz Jourdain and Henri Sauvage. Bold lettering promoted its name, which hailed from an ancient water pump on nearby Pont Neuf bridge which had featured a gilded bas-relief of the Samaritan Woman drawing water for Jesus at the well as described in the fourth chapter of John's Gospel.

The Château de Chenonceau, gracefully arching across the River Cher in France’s Loire Valley, is one of the most beloved châteaux in France—second only to Versailles in popularity. Nicknamed The Ladies’ Castle, Chenonceau earned this title thanks to the many influential women who shaped its architecture and history over the centuries.

The Hôtel Aubert-de-Fontenay, better known as the Hôtel Salé, is one of the grandest private mansions in Paris's historic Marais district. Built between 1656 and 1660 for Pierre Aubert—a wealthy tax collector who made his fortune overseeing the unpopular salt tax—the mansion earned its nickname "Salé," meaning "salty" in French.

Place des Vosges, originally called Place Royale, is the oldest planned square in Paris and one of the city’s most elegant public spaces. Located in the Marais district, it straddles the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. Designed in the early 17th century, it helped transform Le Marais into the fashionable heart of aristocratic Paris and remains a landmark of urban design.

Andrea Palladio, born Andrea di Pietro della Gondola in 1508, is one of the most revered and influential architects in the history of Western architecture. His works have become synonymous with classical elegance, symmetry, and harmony. Palladio's innovative designs, particularly his villas, have made a lasting impact on architecture not just in Italy but across Europe and the United States. His meticulous study of classical Roman architecture, combined with his own creative genius, allowed him to redefine architectural principles, laying the groundwork for the Palladian style, which would inspire generations of architects.

As climate change intensifies and energy demands continue to rise, architects and engineers are increasingly seeking innovative ways to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. One area receiving renewed attention is passive cooling—designing buildings to regulate temperature with minimal energy use. In this context, a remarkable new material called Hydroceramic offers exciting possibilities. Developed by students at the Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), Hydroceramic is a building facade material that cools indoor spaces without mechanical systems, relying instead on nature-inspired thermodynamic processes.

We’ve come a long way in designing homes that are energy efficient. From better insulation and windows to solar panels and high-performance HVAC systems, much of the focus in sustainable homebuilding has centered around reducing operational emissions—the energy used for heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances over a home’s life. But another, often-overlooked category of emissions is rapidly gaining attention in the building industry: upfront carbon emissions.

As California’s residential code evolves, a bold new standard—CRC Section R327—is setting the stage for more future-ready homes that adapt to aging occupants. Originally introduced effective January 2023, with key updates rolling out last year on July 1, 2024, R327 mandates built-in safety and accessibility features in newly constructed single-family homes and ADUs. Whether you’re drafting plans, framing walls, anticipating retrofits, or collaborating with aging clients, here’s everything you need to know to stay current—and thoughtful.

As California’s residential code evolves, a bold new standard—CRC Section R327—is setting the stage for more future-ready homes that adapt to aging occupants. Originally introduced effective January 2023, with key updates rolling out July 1, 2024, R327 mandates built-in safety and accessibility features in newly constructed single-family homes and ADUs. Whether you’re drafting plans, framing walls, anticipating retrofits, or collaborating with aging clients, here’s everything you need to know to stay current—and thoughtful.

“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” — Winston Churchill Architecture is more than just the art of building. It is the subtle yet powerful shaper of human thought, emotion, and interaction. While we often judge buildings by their visual appeal or practicality, their influence on our behavior and well-being is just as significant. The way a space is lit, the materials used, its spatial organization, acoustics, and even its color palette can alter our mood, foster (or hinder) social interaction, and affect how we work, heal, or relax.

Every building begins with an idea, but transforming that idea into a buildable reality takes a carefully sequenced process. In architecture, this process unfolds across six primary design phases. …