Dusty road. Image credit:ModelAColumbus.com

Until the 1950's, gravel roads were the norm outside the core developed zones of American towns and cities. Guess what? Gravel roads are back in vogue. Tax revenues are so far down and asphalt prices rising so far that State and local governments can no longer afford to repair and repave.

One of the key elements of Passivhaus design has been the use of generous south-facing glazing for passive solar gain. That's great in winter, but you can have too much of a good thing in summer.

It used to be that rising tides due to climate change were just a far-off fear - now they're a present-day reality. But we all know that humans are a race of survivors, and some of the best designs come out of the necessity to adapt to environmental changes and challenges.

Image from epogee.co.uk

Buckingham Palace is leaking heat and energy.

Wind turbine bearing manufactured at Timken Corportation, Tyger River, SC plant, from steel produced in Canton, Ohio. Image credit:Ohio.com

What is a green goesinta? Colloquially, it might be a wire or pipe that feeds 'into' something: as in bio-diesel blend 'goes into' the truck from the pump.

Photo: The grey water storage and lily tank all lit up on Diwali night at Our Native Village, an eco-resort outside of Bangalore (Chitra K. Vishwanath)
More often than not, I am greeted with blank looks whenever I mention the words 'earth architecture'.