Traditional earth lodges of the Great Plains
Indigenous people of the Great Plains of North America had a variety of dwellings adapted to the local climate, including circular dome-shaped earth lodges.
The Persian ice house, or how to make ice in the desert
The Persian ice house and ice making technique are a fine example of what can be achieved without electricity by understanding physics and the local climate.
Searching for windcatchers in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Pakistan used to be known as the city of windcatchers, but today these traditional ventilation devices are hard to find – but not impossible.
The qanat, a man-made underground river in the desert
The ancient qanat technology of Iran can teach us a lot about the sustainable management of groundwater resources in dry regions.
Floating villages and gardens of Inle Lake
Floating villages and gardens of Inle Lake in Myanmar are a source of livelihood for the Intha people, but human activities are also a threat to the lake.
Natural ventilation with windcatchers in Iran
Traditional Iranian windcatchers are passive ventilation and cooling devices that can inspire energy efficient natural ventilation systems today.
METI Handmade School – design from tradition
METI Handmade School in Bangladesh shows how modern technology and design can be used to improve traditional building techniques – and rural lives.
4500-year-old urban planning at Mohenjo-daro
The Bronze Age city of Mohenjo-daro is a reminder of how simple technology and materials can be used to provide the most basic human needs.