Philip Jodidio's new book, Homes for Our Time: Sustainable Living, published by Taschen, presents a global survey of 63 single-family homes that embody the quiet revolution in green residential architecture. From a house built on stilts in a forest to a bamboo dwelling for earthquake victims in Ecuador, these projects demonstrate how architects are radically reimagining homes for the climate era.
Sustainability Moves from Niche to Mainstream
According to Jodidio, sustainability has shifted from a specialist concern to a central issue in housing. 'Twenty or 30 years ago, sustainability was often treated as a specialist concern,' he said. 'Today it shapes almost every discussion about housing, from materials and energy use to land consumption and resilience.' This transformation is evident in the diverse projects featured in the book, which range from a stone house in Japan to a wildfire-resistant home in California.
The book highlights how private houses serve as laboratories for architectural innovation. 'Historically, the private house has been one of architecture's most important laboratories of innovation,' Jodidio noted. 'Working with individual clients often gives architects greater freedom to experiment with materials, technologies and environmental strategies than they might have on larger institutional projects.'
Low-Tech Solutions and Climate Adaptation
Many featured projects prioritize low-tech solutions that work with, rather than against, local climates. On Ecuador's Portete Island, Rama Estudio designed the Toquilla Houses for people displaced by a 2016 earthquake. Made from bamboo and straw, each 71-square-meter structure can house eight people, using passive ventilation to stay cool in the tropical heat.
Architects are also turning to regional materials to reduce transportation carbon and integrate homes with their surroundings. For a house in Guanajuato, Mexico, HW Studio used locally quarried stone, whose thick walls keep interiors cool during the day and retain heat at night. Similarly, Ken Nishiguchi's Earth House in Okazaki, Japan, is built from reclaimed stone from an abandoned local quarry.
Designing for Extreme Temperatures
With climate change intensifying heatwaves and wildfires, architects are designing homes for extreme conditions. In California's Napa Valley, the firm Aidlin Darling incorporated high-performing windows, spray-foam insulation, and concrete to reduce heating and cooling needs. The gabled metal roof helps protect the home against the region's worsening wildfires.
Thermal mass – the natural ability of materials to absorb, store, and release heat – is a key passive cooling strategy. 'Much of what we call progress in architecture comes through experimentation,' Jodidio said. 'Some highly sophisticated technologies may prove less effective than expected, while older ideas – orientation, shading, natural ventilation or thermal mass – continue to offer remarkably effective responses to climate and comfort.'
Urban Density and Infill Development
Increasing urban density is critical to sustainability, and the book features examples of infill development. Poplar Grove, a house built in an alleyway in Washington DC, uses a modular panelized system made from engineered bamboo called BamCore, which reduces temperature transfer by 90%. Insulation made from sheep's wool also helps regulate temperature, while skylights and architectural netting maximize natural light without blocking flow.
Natural features can also help houses blend into the landscape while providing insulation. Fearon Hay, a New Zealand-based studio, designed a living roof for a house near Lake Wakatipu, with soil and grasses that keep the interior cool in summer and warm in winter. Locally sourced engineered timber reduces the building's carbon footprint.
A Global Movement Towards Resilience
Jodidio's book underscores a global movement towards homes that are not only energy-efficient but also resilient to climate impacts. From rainwater harvesting in Spain to passive cooling in Mexico, these projects offer a blueprint for sustainable living that respects both the environment and local traditions. As Jodidio puts it, 'Working with individual clients often gives architects greater freedom to experiment,' and the results are transforming what we expect from our homes.
