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Buildings

The Solar Envelope: How to Heat and Cool Cities without Fossil Fuels

Modern research, which combines ancient knowledge with fast computing techniques, shows that passive solar cities are a realistic option, allowing for surprisingly high population densities.

March 24, 2012

The Sky is the Limit: Human-Powered Cranes and Lifting Devices

The only advantage that fossil-fuelled powered cranes have brought us, is a higher lifting speed

March 25, 2010

Rings of Fire: Hoffmann Kilns

Depending on the size of the kiln, it took between one and six weeks for the fire to complete a full circle.

October 19, 2009

Tiles as a Substitute for Steel: The Art of the Timbrel Vault

The craftsmanship associated with timbrel vaulting has long vanished, but the achievements are still with us today.

November 12, 2008

Viva Las Vegas: LEDs and the energy efficiency paradox

LEDs introduce lighting in places and situations where there was no lighting before.

October 14, 2008

Heat your House with Car Tyres and Earth

Energy hungry America teaches the world how to build ecological houses.

December 29, 2007