This section tracks the evolution of building materials and their impact on contemporary architecture, design, and construction. From engineered wood and carbon-reinforced concrete to thermal insulation and low-impact coatings, ArchUp documents material shifts that shape how projects are built and perceived.
Our editorial team curates insights for architects, contractors, and interior designers, presenting case studies, expert interviews, and trend analyses across global practices. Explore our growing database of material datasheets, dive into sustainable alternatives, or view award-winning material usage in competition-winning buildings.
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L Architects renovated a 98 square meter apartment in Hougang Singapore for a couple who got to love plants during the lockdown. The project changes the interior from being partitioned to being bright open home that has a big indoor…
Carbon Cell is one of the most advanced materials ever that aims to take over conventional polystyrene foams in packaging, insulation, and protective applications. Its main ingredient is biochar, a carbon-free and plastic-free material derived from the agricultural sector, and…
Tarkett has claimed to bring to the market the first linoleum that is carbon negative and produced at an industrial scale. The natural ingredients are used in the making of the product and the production method is such that it…
The project is taking on the thorough restoration and expansion of a summerhouse from the 1960s that is called Vejrhøj. Architects Studio Marshall Blecher and an Henrik Jansen reimagine the original design of Ole Meyer while at the same time…
Myanmar Earthquake in March 2025: Testing Building ResilienceWhen the ground began to shake on that March morning in 2025, residents in central Myanmar braced themselves for the worst. The 7.7-magnitude earthquake caused widespread destruction across the region, toppling buildings and…
Symbolplus, a design studio located in Tokyo, completely reshaped its office inside a 23-year-old wooden structure. The renovation not only promotes the use of natural materials and craftsmanship but also endows the workspace with an aura of quietness and permanence.Project…
The Steel House by Max Núñez Arquitectos falls under the classification of a modern greenhouse and is placed in Pirque, Chile. It has been designed as a pavilion of today, combining practicality with a touch of architectural elegance. The edifice…
A Beginning with an Unexpected IdeaWhat if the future of sustainable construction relied simply on soil, water, and cardboard?This concept may seem almost too simple to believe, yet a team of researchers at RMIT University in Australia has successfully developed…
Cupsan is a groundbreaking biomaterial developed by Blast Studio in London. It is made entirely from discarded coffee cups collected across the city. The innovation lies in using what most people see as trash to create strong, beautiful, and sustainable…
Bengaluru-based studio Multitude of Sins has transformed a former residential apartment into Requiem for Ruins, a material lab and research space built almost entirely from salvaged construction waste, rejected prototypes, and broken samples. Occupying the same floor as the studio,…
Japanese studio I IN has introduced a new milestone in coffee architecture by creating Blue Bottle Coffee’s first kiosk in Santa Clara, California. Known for its minimalist yet striking design language, the project represents a significant moment for the brand,…
JKMM Architects has won the international competition to design the new Museum of Architecture and Design on Helsinki’s South Harbour. The decision closes a long civic chapter that once included the cancelled Guggenheim proposal. The new museum will house an…
Barcelona-based architecture studio Urbanitree has designed the African Flow School, a 1,600-square-metre kindergarten on the outskirts of Yaoundé, Cameroon, that celebrates traditional building techniques through modern educational design. Located in Soa and commissioned by the Missionary Daughters of the Holy…
Birdwood House in Brisbane, Australia, represents a thoughtful approach to multigenerational living and sustainable architecture. Designed for a family that wanted to age in place, the home is situated at the base of Mount Coot-tha on a steep and uneven…
In the Hudson Valley near Rhinebeck, New York, a distinctive house known as CLT House rises from a clearing in the woods along an eight-acre lake. Designed by Eric Bunge and Mimi Hoang, the founders of Brooklyn-based studio nArchitects, the…
In south London, architecture studio Carmody Groarke has introduced the ArtPlay Pavilion to the gardens of the John Soane-designed Dulwich Picture Gallery. This new addition marks the most significant redevelopment of the gallery in over 20 years, creating a low-carbon,…
Construction Waste: A Growing CrisisConstruction waste has become one of the most prominent environmental challenges of our modern era. Buildings are erected and then demolished, leaving behind mountains of debris piling up in landfills. With limited sustainable solutions, the burden…
IntroductionChoosing flooring is not merely an aesthetic decision; it is a long-term investment that affects the comfort of the home, its durability, and the lifestyle within it. From ceramic to parquet, and from marble to vinyl, the options are diverse,…
IntroductionExternal cladding is one of the most important architectural elements that plays a prominent role in protecting buildings and enhancing their aesthetic appearance, alongside improving thermal insulation efficiency and providing energy sustainability. In this article, we review in detail the…
“Casa Caracol”—Spanish for “Sea Snail House”—by Lanza Atelier takes an introspective architectural approach in Cancún. Located in the upscale Puerto Cancún, the three-story home uses crushed sea-snail shells as aggregate in its concrete floors and staircases. Built of local limestone…
Structural Framework: The Solid Foundation for Every Successful Engineering ProjectThe structural framework is considered the backbone of any building or engineering structure. This is because it is responsible for bearing all loads and ensuring the safety and stability of the…
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