Bugs, Bees, and Trees: How to Integrate Biodiversity in the Built Environment

Biodiversity, defined by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as the different kinds of life found in an area, is in a state of crisis all across the world, with declines in the numbers of organisms and many species declared as at risk of extinction. All types are affected, from plants and fungi to large mammals, and there is a clear link to human activity being the cause. Although farming methods and climate change due to greenhouse gases play a major role, cities and buildings can play a small but important role in countering this decline.

The Ismaili Center Houston / Farshid Moussavi Architecture

A Space for Reflection, Dialogue, and Discovery - Ismaili Centers around the world serve as ambassadorial buildings, welcoming people of all backgrounds to explore the intersections of faith, culture, and civic life. Each embodies the Ismaili community's commitment to peaceful pluralism, ​​intellectual engagement, and shared humanity, offering a place for spiritual reflection, cultural exchange, and public dialogue. The Ismaili Center Houston continues this tradition, envisioned as a living home for the mind and spirit – a place where programmes in education, art, music, performance, and conversation come together to foster understanding among people of all backgrounds.

North Freo House / Robeson Architects

Choosing to remain in this coveted pocket of North Fremantle, our clients sought to expand rather than relocate – a challenge made intricate owing to the site's strict heritage controls. The brief called for additional floor space, including a new master bedroom suite and a versatile space to serve as either a study or second living area. Drawing on the client's distinct Mediterranean sensibility, our role was to translate this relaxed approach to contemporary living with the home's existing heritage character.

Closing the Water Loop with Greywater Recycling in the Bathroom

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Water is the foundation of life. It shapes landscapes, regulates climates, and sustains every living organism. Yet on the only known inhabited planet, this essential resource faces a growing crisis: although 70% of Earth's surface is covered by water, less than 1% is actually available for human use. Most of it is consumed by agriculture and industry, while in households, activities like bathing and flushing use vast amounts of drinking water for non-essential purposes. The bathroom, therefore, has become a key space for innovation, where technology and design can help redefine how we use and reuse this vital element.

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