Journal
From Craft to Construction: Redefining the Future of Sustainable Building
In the latest in our ‘Big Picture’ series, we turn our attention to whether the solution to sustainable housing and climate-resilient living spaces lies in everyday crafts like knitting, weaving and origami. Once considered hobbies or artistic pastimes, these skills are now at the forefront of innovative designs addressing some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
Healthy Materials Series: Rattan
Rattan has been used for centuries, with indigenous communities in Southeast Asia among the first to harvest and weave it into baskets, mats and fishing equipment due to its strength and pliability. During the colonial period, European traders introduced rattan to the West, where it became popular for furniture, particularly in the Victorian era.
Healthy Materials Series: Wool
In this installment of our ‘Healthy Materials Series’, we delve into the rich history and enduring appeal of wool. Wool production dates back thousands of years, with evidence of its use as early as 6,000 BCE in Mesopotamia.