Toshihiro Sobajima

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Is It Possible To Create Lightweight Bricks By Recycling Cigarette Butts?

Students at the School of Engineering, RMIT University recently published a study experimenting with a new form of waste management and recycling. As they note in their research, cigarette butts are the most commonly discarded single waste item in the world, with an estimated 5.7 trillion having been consumed around the globe in 2016. However, the materials in cigarette butts—particularly their cellulose acetate filters—can be extremely harmful to the environment due to poor biodegradability. The RMIT study builds on a previous research study by Mohajerani et. al (2016) that experimented with adding discarded cigarette butts to clay bricks for architectural use. In their research, the RMIT students found that such a measure would reduce the energy consumption of the brick production process and lower the thermal conductivity of the bricks, but that other issues including bacterial contamination would have to be addressed prior to successful implementation. Below, we explore this research in more detail, investigating its relevance to the architecture industry and imagining possible futures of application.

How to Choose the Front Door of a House?

As much as walls, ceilings, and furniture pieces define the character and perception of an architectural project, doors play a critical role in building that style. Among all the doors used in houses, the front door is the first tangible element that homeowners and visitors will encounter, acting as the pivotal point where architecture greets the user. After all, first impressions are always important; and the entrance door is certainly one that can set the tone for the rest of the interior. However, choosing the right front door for a contemporary house can be difficult, especially with so many design possibilities. Therefore, before making that decision, it is crucial to know what those possibilities are – and how these can transform the front door into a design statement.

Compact House in Kuramae / Kawakubo Tomoyasu Architects & Associates

Compact House in Kuramae / Kawakubo Tomoyasu Architects & Associates - Houses Interiors, Stairs, BeamCompact House in Kuramae / Kawakubo Tomoyasu Architects & Associates - Houses Interiors, Facade, Stairs, Door, HandrailCompact House in Kuramae / Kawakubo Tomoyasu Architects & Associates - Houses Interiors, Facade, Stairs, Handrail, Beam, Lighting, Table, ChairCompact House in Kuramae / Kawakubo Tomoyasu Architects & Associates - Houses Interiors, Facade, DoorCompact House in Kuramae / Kawakubo Tomoyasu Architects & Associates - More Images+ 38

Plastic Moon House / N MAEDA ATELIER

Plastic Moon House / N MAEDA ATELIER - Houses, FacadePlastic Moon House / N MAEDA ATELIER - Houses, Kitchen, Facade, CountertopPlastic Moon House / N MAEDA ATELIER - Houses, FacadePlastic Moon House / N MAEDA ATELIER - Houses, Kitchen, Facade, Countertop, Sink, TablePlastic Moon House / N MAEDA ATELIER - More Images+ 29

Setagaya, Japan
  • Architects: N MAEDA ATELIER
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  206
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2009

Boltun Headquarters / Yasuhiro Yamashita x Atelier TEKUTO

Boltun Headquarters  / Yasuhiro Yamashita x Atelier TEKUTO - Showroom, FacadeBoltun Headquarters  / Yasuhiro Yamashita x Atelier TEKUTO - Showroom, FacadeBoltun Headquarters  / Yasuhiro Yamashita x Atelier TEKUTO - Showroom, Facade, Handrail, BeamBoltun Headquarters  / Yasuhiro Yamashita x Atelier TEKUTO - Showroom, Facade, Beam, LightingBoltun Headquarters  / Yasuhiro Yamashita x Atelier TEKUTO - More Images+ 19

Split-Level Homes: 50 Floor Plan Examples

Faced with the challenge of designing homes on terrains with steep slopes - or in compact urban contexts that do not allow much variation in plan - several architects have experimented and proposed split-level homes to enhance the use of space, allowing, among other things, interesting visual perspectives.

These variations can be seen in numerous examples published on our site. Below, we have selected 50 examples that can help you in your next project. 

Nest at Amami Beach Villas / Atelier TEKUTO

Nest at Amami Beach Villas / Atelier TEKUTO - Cabins & Lodges, Coast, ForestNest at Amami Beach Villas / Atelier TEKUTO - Cabins & Lodges, Door, FacadeNest at Amami Beach Villas / Atelier TEKUTO - Cabins & Lodges, Kitchen, Door, Facade, Beam, CountertopNest at Amami Beach Villas / Atelier TEKUTO - Cabins & Lodges, Facade, Door, LightingNest at Amami Beach Villas / Atelier TEKUTO - More Images+ 47

R·torso·C / Atelier Tekuto

R·torso·C / Atelier Tekuto - Houses, Stairs, Facade, Handrail, Beam, LightingR·torso·C / Atelier Tekuto - Houses, Beam, TableR·torso·C / Atelier Tekuto - Houses, Facade, StairsR·torso·C / Atelier Tekuto - Houses, Bathroom, Door, Sink, CountertopR·torso·C / Atelier Tekuto - More Images+ 4

Tokyo, Japan

House of Komajii / Kazuyuki Takeda

House of Komajii / Kazuyuki Takeda  - Renovation, Beam, FacadeHouse of Komajii / Kazuyuki Takeda  - Renovation, Beam, FacadeHouse of Komajii / Kazuyuki Takeda  - Renovation, Stairs, Door, Beam, HandrailHouse of Komajii / Kazuyuki Takeda  - Renovation, Door, Beam, Facade, HandrailHouse of Komajii / Kazuyuki Takeda  - More Images+ 25

  • Architects: Kazuyuki Takeda
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  100
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  JIMBO ELECTRIC, NICHIHA, Yoshino Gypsum Co.,Ltd.

House in Nagoya / Atelier Tekuto

House in Nagoya / Atelier Tekuto - Houses, Kitchen, Table, Chair, CountertopHouse in Nagoya / Atelier Tekuto - Houses, Stairs, Door, Handrail, FacadeHouse in Nagoya / Atelier Tekuto - Houses, FacadeHouse in Nagoya / Atelier Tekuto - Houses, Bedroom, Stairs, Handrail, Bed, Table, ChairHouse in Nagoya / Atelier Tekuto - More Images+ 19

Nagoya, Japan

Machine Head / N MAEDA ATELIER

Machine Head / N MAEDA ATELIER - Houses, Facade
© Toshihiro Sobajima
Machida, Japan
  • Architects: N MAEDA ATELIER
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  103
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2008

Machine Head / N MAEDA ATELIER - Houses, FacadeMachine Head / N MAEDA ATELIER - Houses, FacadeMachine Head / N MAEDA ATELIER - HousesMachine Head / N MAEDA ATELIER - HousesMachine Head / N MAEDA ATELIER - More Images+ 28

Celluloid Jam / N MAEDA ATELIER

Celluloid Jam / N MAEDA ATELIER - Houses, Garden, FacadeCelluloid Jam / N MAEDA ATELIER - Houses, Facade, Stairs, FenceCelluloid Jam / N MAEDA ATELIER - Houses, Garden, Facade, ForestCelluloid Jam / N MAEDA ATELIER - Houses, Garden, Facade, ArchCelluloid Jam / N MAEDA ATELIER - More Images+ 23

Nishi ward, Japan

Y-3 / Komada Architects' Office

Y-3 / Komada Architects' Office - Apartments, FacadeY-3 / Komada Architects' Office - Apartments, Beam, Facade, Table, ChairY-3 / Komada Architects' Office - Apartments, Door, Beam, HandrailY-3 / Komada Architects' Office - Apartments, Kitchen, Facade, Stairs, HandrailY-3 / Komada Architects' Office - More Images+ 12

Shibuya, Japan
  • Architects: Komada Architects' Office: Takeshi Komada, Yuka Komada
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  326
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2009

KAP / Komada Architects' Office

KAP / Komada Architects' Office - Apartments, Kitchen, Beam, Facade, Handrail, Lighting, Chair, TableKAP / Komada Architects' Office - ApartmentsKAP / Komada Architects' Office - Apartments, Stairs, Facade, Column, Beam, Door, HandrailKAP / Komada Architects' Office - Apartments, Facade, Door, BalconyKAP / Komada Architects' Office - More Images+ 10

Edogawa, Japan
  • Architects: Komada Architects' Office: Takeshi Komada, Yuka Komada
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  140
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2011

S House / Komada Architects' Office

S House / Komada Architects' Office - Houses, Facade, HandrailS House / Komada Architects' Office - Houses, Bedroom, Door, BedS House / Komada Architects' Office - Houses, FacadeS House / Komada Architects' Office - Houses, Arch, Beam, Facade, Table, ChairS House / Komada Architects' Office - More Images+ 10

Suginami, Japan
  • Architects: Komada Architects' Office: Takeshi Komada, Yuka Komada
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  104
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2009

RIBBON / Komada Architects' Office

RIBBON / Komada Architects' Office - Houses, Facade, CityscapeRIBBON / Komada Architects' Office - Houses, Kitchen, Beam, Countertop, Table, Chair, SinkRIBBON / Komada Architects' Office - Houses, Kitchen, Stairs, Facade, ChairRIBBON / Komada Architects' Office - Houses, Facade, HandrailRIBBON / Komada Architects' Office - More Images+ 11

Niigata, Japan