On an area of parkland in central Warsaw stands a small settlement of wooden Finnish homes. A legacy of postwar hardship, these days they stand as a striking symbol of peace and friendship.
Canals to sail on, traditional wooden houses along the dike to choose from and a nearby creative hub; these are just some of the reasons to move to Northern IJ Bank. The Dutch are catching on and, with planned developments…
Considering that 66 per cent of the world’s population is expected to live in cities by 2050 and that affordable housing is already a rarity, municipalities must think of creative ways to increase its availability. As part…
This year a clear theme at leading real-estate event Mipim has been how climate change is registering in the property market, so it was perhaps fitting that Cannes’ typically sunny trade show turned to heavy downpours and…
Faced with the curses and blessings of gentrification, Porto’s mayor is renovating derelict buildings in the historic centre to create social housing and ensure the city does not lose its flair.
Conde House is a sturdy presence in Japanese wooden-furniture manufacturing that’s replanting its regional roots and retaining its traditional hands-on approach.
Rønning Ski has produced wooden skis in the village of Skotterud in Norway since 1936. While other manufacturers die out, switch to fibreglass or move to China, Rønning keeps modernising the wooden ski and finding new fans…
When one Japanese couple’s search for a roomier home led to a love of traditional living, they embraced classic local architecture, too. But they also found that, even in a cultured college town, older buildings are disa…
This month’s shopping selection includes a wine aroma kit that’ll turn you into a connoisseur, a collectable wooden songbird by Kay Bojesen and wooden speakers to play your tunes.
In the small city of Uwajima in southern Japan, a restored ryokan guest house has reawakened the area’s local pride. This simply presented style of accommodation whispers rather than shouts its quality and is a subtle sign…
Buy a barn, take it apart, move it a few hours down the road and then rebuild it as a summerhouse. That’s exactly what architect Erik Persson did, resulting in his simple yet stunning retreat in the peaceful depths of the…
Can apartment blocks really forge communal bonds and help tenants get closer to nature? As these three developments show, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’.