A lush, photographic tour of the Icelandic Turf House

2017-07-27T14:08:00-04:00

The Turf House Tradition of Iceland was nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status in 2011. “The turf house is an exceptional example of a vernacular architectural tradition, which has survived in Iceland,” according to the nomination. “The form and design of the turf house is an expression of the cultural values of the society and has adapted to the social and technological changes that took place through the centuries.”

Although living walls are still considered to be somewhat noteworthy in contemporary design, Iceland's architecture has been overgrown with the technique for hundreds of years. Along with a history of turf as a building material (and the pressures of modernism on Iceland's architecture in the 20th century) this National Geographic article showcases the haunting beauty of the Icelandic turf house, where the climate is pretty much rainy and picturesquely contemplative for the entire year.

Image: Thomas Ormstom via Flickr

Combating drought conditions, California issues stark landscaping restrictions

2015-07-21T18:09:00-04:00

The California Water Commission, responding to a fourth year of drought, approved sharp new limits on the amount of water that can be used on landscapes surrounding newly constructed buildings, such as houses, businesses and schools. The revised ordinance will limit grass to about 25% of a home's combined front, back and side yards in all new construction. [...] Additionally, grass will be all but banned in landscapes of new commercial, industrial and institutional buildings.

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A lush, photographic tour of the Icelandic Turf House

Combating drought conditions, California issues stark landscaping restrictions