world news

Airy small apartment renovation adds a loft and new bedroom

This new loft adds extra space and an extra bedroom in an urban apartment in Brazil.




world news

Glass & mirrors enlarge this cosmopolitan micro-apartment renovation

A clever redo of a small 376-square-foot apartment in São Paulo that uses lots of glass and reflective surfaces.




world news

Scorpion stings are becoming more frequent in Brazil

Experts blame urban sprawl for the increased number of attacks.




world news

Contemporary guesthouse combines rammed earth and bamboo structure

Built as part of a community training project, this multifunctional structure acts as a place for visitors to stay, as well as an extra office or a place for the kids to play.




world news

Brazilian cheese breads are a quick and satisfying treat

Chewy, salty, and impossible to stop eating, they're the next best thing to an actual trip to Brazil (especially when paired with a caipirinha).




world news

Brazil's agriculture minister wants to scrap endangered marine species list

It's having a negative effect on the fishing industry, he claims.




world news

Major shoe company says it won't buy Brazilian leather

Owner of Timberland, Vans, and Dickies says it needs assurance that materials used in its products "don't contribute to environmental harm."




world news

3 things are needed for the e-bike revolution

Good affordable bikes, safe places to ride, and secure places to park.




world news

Dreamy Danish holiday workshop village is entirely built from trash

Artist Thomas Dambo and his team of elves built this wonderful recycled village in Copenhagen where DIYers can make all of their gifts for free.




world news

We have reached Peak Hygge

And stop with the wood fires and candles, they will kill you.




world news

Why is Denmark so successful at reducing food waste?

It's all about the culture.




world news

Danish supermarket refused to sell popcorn containing fluorinated chemicals

Even though it took 6 months to find an alternative, Coop refused to stock microwave popcorn because of the health risks to customers.




world news

Stair of the week is a multifunctional chameleon in small family apartment

This stair does it all: it's a connector, a partition, a bench, a counter and a concealer of clutter.




world news

Linea crib transforms into bed & sofa as baby grows into adolescence

A piece of baby furniture that's designed to last longer by changing into other useful things as one's child grows.




world news

Artist hides giants in the wilds of Copenhagen, luring seekers into nature

Part treasure hunt, part real-life Pokémon Go, the hidden giants (which are made entirely of scrap wood) can be found by treasure map or riddle poems.




world news

First wolf pack in 200 years is roaming wild in Denmark

Denmark’s last wolf was killed in 1813, but after a female travels 340 miles from Germany and meets some males, cubs are expected soon.




world news

Some of the INDEX: Design To Improve Life finalists will look familiar

The big Danish design competition really has similar goals to TreeHugger: to promote good green design that makes the world better




world news

Teensy little Reelight CIO runs day and night without batteries

Install and forget about these induction powered lights from Denmark.




world news

Picks and pans from the INDEX: Design To Improve Life Competition

A look at some of the nominees which are brilliant, and others that are something else.




world news

Danish dome-sheltered community center is built with wood

Designed to reduce construction waste and with energy efficiency in mind, this new community gathering spot strikes an unconventional pose.




world news

Have a great shower while saving water and energy with Flow Loop

Flow Loop introduces a new closed loop shower that will bring back one of life’s little pleasures: a long hot wet shower.




world news

Rock in a box with Arkitema Architects' shipping container housing project

Using shipping containers for housing near a Danish rock music museum makes sense, sort of.




world news

We could all use a little more Lykke

It's the Danish word for happiness, which these days seems in short supply.




world news

How to have a 'hygge' winter

I am Canadian, not Danish, but I like to think I know how to 'hygge' properly.




world news

Just what we needed dept: Biomega launches world’s first dedicated Bicycle Tie and Bow Tie

It is reflective and glows in the dark, perfect for "enhanced safety in traffic" -- and the dance floor.




world news

Water sports center is built from old shipping containers

The project in Denmark is a good object lesson.




world news

Peter Qvist uses computers, CNC milling and hand finishing to create "highly modern handcrafted furniture pieces"

Computers and technology let designers do things that were unimaginable just a decade ago.




world news

Transformer desk could turn into a dining table

Design by Jens Quistgaard stands the test of time.




world news

Denmark allows fast and heavy "speed pedelecs" in the bike lanes. What were they thinking?

We always write "Learn from Denmark." We take it back.




world news

Denmark wants to make climate impact labels mandatory for food

Appliances have labels for energy efficiency, so why not food?




world news

Charge your own batteries as well as your car's at these park-like charging stations

COBE architects are turning charging time into quality time.




world news

Maersk to end carbon emissions from shipping by 2050

They don't know how they are going to do it, but it is a bold promise.




world news

Danish newspaper will cut most flying and change its travel section

There is a lot of money to be made in the travel section. Should other media follow their example?




world news

Spiral observation tower rises out of Danish forest

But no, we're not going to compare to that other tower.




world news

Tired of winter? Don't think Hygge thoughts, they are evil and unhealthy

Fireplaces! Candles! Clutter! What are these people thinking?




world news

Studded with sea debris, these wild paintings are ocean 'portals'

Aiming to spark conversations about marine conservation, these beautiful works reimagine the oceans in their pristine state.




world news

Photo: Beautiful batwing slug flies through the sea

Our photo of the day comes from the watery wilds of Wilsons Promontory in southern Australia.




world news

Beautifully minimalist Sowelo tiny home is built using renewable energy

Made in Australia out of a solar-powered workshop, this gorgeous little home incorporates a great layout and clever features.




world news

Cardboard architect Tobias Horrocks builds a Cardboard Metropolis

Forget about wood construction; cardboard could be the Next Big Thing.




world news

Here's the dirt on a rammed-earth renovation in Australia

Add heritage preservation, passive house design and a butterfly roof and it pushes a lot of buttons around here.




world news

Ingenious micro-apartment renovation includes a 'disappearing kitchen' (Video)

Plenty of clever spatial overlaps and multifunctional pieces of transformer furniture in this renovation of a 376-square-foot apartment in Melbourne.




world news

This tiny prefab's big mission is to help at-risk youth

This tiny house has a distinctive peaked roof and a warm, modern interior.




world news

312 sq. ft. micro-apartment is a 'hotel-home hybrid' (Video)

An existing 1960s studio apartment in Melbourne has been transformed into a more efficient one-bedroom apartment.




world news

Small carbon-neutral house in Australia built with recycled materials

Constructed as an "apartment-house" hybrid, this prototypical 753-square-foot house makes the most of a small lot.




world news

Australia slashed plastic bag use by 80% in 3 months – here's how

After a few big players entered the ring, the environment was spared some 1.5 billion plastic shopping bags in under 100 days.




world news

Photo: Carijoa coral is a vision of snowflakes

Our photo of the day delivers a bit of winter reverie from the waters of Australia.




world news

Blooming 3D jelly cakes are made with seaweed (Video)

Made carefully by hand, this food artisan's edible works of jelly art are bursting with colorful flora and fauna.




world news

Renovated terrace house has see-through stair of the week

This home has been redesigned to feel much more spacious, and connected to its surroundings.




world news

322 sq. ft. micro-apartment has a transforming 'function wall'

This apartment's built-in 'function wall' maximizes a small space by incorporating sleeping, sitting and storage.




world news

Photo: How are seashells formed?

Our photo of the day provides a lesson in the origins of seashells.