Construction Materials

Gypcrete in Off-Grid and Eco-Focused Buildings

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Gypcrete short for gypsum concrete

Gypcrete—short for gypsum concrete—is a self-leveling floor underlayment commonly used in apartments, condos, and commercial buildings. It shows up frequently in radiant-heated floors, sound-rated assemblies, and fast-paced construction schedules. In eco-building and off-grid design circles, gypcrete often sparks debate. Some see it as an efficient, modern solution; others see it as incompatible with natural, moisture-resilient … Read more

Integrated Housing, Community, and Regenerative Development

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pangea community taos offgrid regenerative sustainable

Pangea Biotecture is an integrated design–build and development platform focused on delivering housing and community infrastructure that is affordable, resilient, and regenerative by design. Pangea addresses the upfront cost of construction and the long-term operational realities that ultimately determine whether housing remains stable, dignified, and financially viable for the people it serves. Pangea’s core premise … Read more

Housing Revolution in Taos

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3dprinted affordable housing taos

KSFR | By Dennis Carroll Published September 2, 2025 at 2:48 PM MDT 00:00:00 [Speaker 1] When it comes to building affordable houses and towers, Jonah Reynolds will tell you that there are only three words that really matter, sustainable, sustainable, and sustainable. 00:00:13 [Speaker 1] Reynolds, the son of Michael Reynolds, who gave us the … Read more

3D print construction comes to Taos

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Chamisa Verde Taos Affordable Housing

In July 2025 the Taos News reported on the start of Chamisa Verde, seven deed-restricted homes in Taos, and on the COBOD BOD2 construction printer that arrived on site that summer. The article describes the plans as they stood at the time. For the project as it stands now, with some homes in 3D-printed concrete … Read more

What Is Superwood?

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Compressed Superwood panel showcasing strength, durability, and natural wood grain.

Superwood is an engineered wood material developed by University of Maryland researchers and commercialized by InventWood. It is produced through two key steps: Chemical delignification: Partial removal of lignin (and hemicellulose) using mild aqueous solutions (e.g., NaOH, Na₂SO₃)  . Hot compression: Softened wood is densified (~80% volume reduction) around 65 °C, aligning cellulose nanofibrils and re‑bonding … Read more

A Time to Change: Building Resilient, Off-Grid Homes in Post-Hurricane Florida

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In the aftermath of yet another devastating hurricane season, Florida finds itself grappling with the staggering loss of homes, infrastructure, and communities. This isn’t just a time for rebuilding—it’s a time to rethink how we build, to reshape our future in the face of the undeniable reality of stronger, more frequent natural disasters. A Moment … Read more

Earthship Shipping Container Dawn Butterfly Cafe at Taos Pueblo – foundation construction

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Taos Pueblo earthship shipping container cafe

Construction on the Foundation Pounding Tires for phase 1 of placing the first two 40′ shipping containers. The rammed earth encased in steel belted rubber will take the weight of the Earthship Shipping Container Cafe. We also have concrete at each corner. Rammed Earth Encased in Steel Belted Rubber creates super strong bricks using recycled … Read more

4 Amazing Offgrid Architectural Designs

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OFF-THE-GRID LIVING is experiencing a renaissance. Dwellings devised to support a sustainable lifestyle could help us adapt to some of our biggest present-day challenges—from a lack of housing for the world’s growing population to pollution and extreme weather. With the climate crisis in mind, architects are looking to more resilient options that don’t depend on … Read more

Sustainable Design: The Logical Path to Responsible Building

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In an era of escalating environmental concerns and the urgent need to mitigate climate change, sustainable design for buildings has emerged as a paramount solution. Sustainable design seeks to create structures that minimize their ecological footprint, conserve resources, and promote a healthier, more resilient future for both humans and the planet. Surprisingly, the driving force … Read more

Fiberglass Solar Glazing and Greenhouse Covering

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filon Fiberglass Solar Glazing and Greenhouse Covering

Made from Sun-Lite® HP fiberglass glazing, a one-of-a-kind, high performance solar glazing material. Developed by Kalwall Corporation, Sun-Lite® HP is a lightweight, shatter-resistant low-cost solar glazing material that can be easily handled, cut and installed. Thousands of do-it-yourselfers, greenhouse builders, solar manufacturers, fish farmers, solar aquatic waste water treatment facilities and others throughout the world are … Read more