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The 5 Green Projects to Discover Today

Čoarvemátta by Snøhetta

©Lars Petter Pettersen
©Lars Petter Pettersen
Nestled in the vast and breathtaking Finnmarksvidda plateau, Čoarvemátta stands as a beacon of cultural identity, sustainability, and architectural brilliance. Designed by global transdisciplinary practice Snøhetta in collaboration with 70°N architecture and artist Joar Nango, this striking new hub fuses the worlds of art, education, and indigenous heritage, serving as home to both the Sami National Theatre Beaivváš and the Sami High School and Reindeer Herding School. More than just a building, Čoarvemátta – named after the innermost and strongest part of a reindeer's antler – symbolizes resilience, unity, and deep-rooted traditions.
Crafted with an organic design that harmonizes with the surrounding landscape, the structure seamlessly blends contemporary architecture with traditional Sami craftsmanship. The sweeping, curved lines of its timber frame echo the shape of a lávvu (Sami tent), while the strategically sloping roof minimizes its impact on the horizon, allowing it to integrate naturally into its environment. Materials are carefully chosen for sustainability and local significance – ore pine cladding, repurposed Alta slate, and concrete floors infused with regionally sourced stone create a tactile connection between the building and its land. Inside, a warm-to-cool gradient of colours draws inspiration from traditional Sami palettes, ensuring that every space tells a visual story.
Beyond aesthetics, Čoarvemátta is a model of sustainability, meeting Passive House standards with cutting-edge energy solutions. With 40 geothermal wells reaching 250 meters deep, the building is 90% self-sufficient in heating and cooling, minimizing its ecological footprint while maximizing efficiency. Even the landscape has been carefully restored, ensuring that the plateau reclaims its natural beauty over time. Čoarvemátta is more than a cultural landmark – it is a living testament to Sami heritage, an innovative fusion of past and future, and a space where tradition, education, and performance come together in perfect harmony with nature.
©Lars Petter Pettersen
©Lars Petter Pettersen
©Lars Petter Pettersen
©Lars Petter Pettersen

Villa S by RAU Architects

©Marcel van der Burg
©Marcel van der Burg

Tucked away in a serene coniferous forest, this energy-positive home is a striking fusion of sustainability, privacy, and architectural elegance. Inspired by the contours of the original 1960s structure, the redesigned residence seamlessly integrates with its lush surroundings, embracing nature at every turn. The bold, monolithic volume – clad in Shou Sugi Ban, charred larch – exudes a refined yet organic aesthetic, blending effortlessly into the wooded landscape.
Designed to enhance privacy while maintaining a deep connection with the outdoors, Villa S by RAU Architects strategically opens towards the north-facing garden, where panoramic views extend from the kitchen and living areas to the swimming pool and beyond. Expansive glass openings frame the surrounding forest, making it feel like an extension of the garden. Inside, a thoughtful layout unfolds across three levels: a sunken ground floor housing a sauna, office, and guest suite; a first floor dedicated to social spaces; and a tranquil upper level for rest and retreat.
Sustainability is woven into every detail – energy is sourced from PV panels and a wood pellet stove, while cooling is achieved through a subterranean concrete slab. With FSC-certified wood, emission-free materials, and a rainwater buffer system, this home is a sophisticated sanctuary where modern luxury meets ecological responsibility.

©Marcel van der Burg
©Marcel van der Burg
©Marcel van der Burg
©Marcel van der Burg

Warehouse Greenhouse by Breathe Architecture

 

©Tom Ross
©Tom Ross

A masterclass in sustainable living, Warehouse Greenhouse is a bold yet understated fusion of past and future, where industrial heritage meets eco-conscious innovation. Designed for a family of artisans and guerrilla gardeners, this meticulously crafted home by Breathe Architecture embraces a philosophy of doing more with less, proving that sustainability and style can go hand in hand.
Clad in corrugated Zincalume, the extension rises seamlessly from the remnants of a 1960s warehouse, preserving its textured, timeworn brickwork while integrating cutting-edge passive design principles. Every element is intentional – materials are repurposed, salvaged, or FSC-certified, from the charred timber stair treads to the raw brass fixtures. High-performance double-glazed windows, air-tight membranes, and an advanced HRV system regulate indoor climate effortlessly, eliminating the need for conventional heating or cooling.
Inside, the home unfolds as a sanctuary of warmth and texture, with exposed trusses, reclaimed hardwood surfaces, and a restrained, natural palette. The kitchen’s stainless steel benchtop and mild steel splashback add an industrial-chic touch, while carefully positioned openings invite natural light to dance across the interiors. Built to Passivhaus standards, Warehouse Greenhouse is a resilient, forward-thinking retreat – proof that a small footprint can make a big impact, both aesthetically and environmentally.

 

©Tom Ross
©Tom Ross
©Tom Ross
©Tom Ross

TRÆ by Lendager

©Anders Wejse
©Anders Wejse

Rising nearly 80 meters into the Danish skyline, TRÆ by Danish-Icelandic architecture and innovation company Lendager is more than just the country’s tallest timber structure – it is a beacon of sustainable innovation, proving that high-rises can be built with minimal CO₂ impact and maximum reuse of materials. This visionary commercial complex redefines green architecture, seamlessly blending cutting-edge design with a deep commitment to circular economy principles.
The structure, composed of a CLT (cross-laminated timber) framework and concrete cores, is a natural carbon bank, storing one ton of CO₂ for every cubic meter of wood used. Beyond its timber framework, TRÆ integrates upcycled materials at an unprecedented scale – reclaimed windows, repurposed wood flooring, and a striking façade clad in salvaged metal panels. Even the interior features recycled PET bottles, waste textiles, and sustainably sourced wood, while trees from within the municipality have been relocated on-site instead of being felled, ensuring an instant, mature green landscape.
Designed as a future-forward workspace, TRÆ promotes mental and physical well-being, offering lush public green spaces and an undulating pedestrian bridge that connects seamlessly to Aarhus’ Coal Bridge. More than a building, TRÆ is a statement—proving that sustainability and architectural ambition can rise together.

©Anders Wejse
©Anders Wejse
©Anders Wejse
©Anders Wejse

Biobased Artist-In-Residence by Bureau SLA

©Jeroen Verrecht
©Jeroen Verrecht

Nestled in Rotterdam, the Biobased Artist-in-Residency by the Zaandam based Bureau SLA practice is a groundbreaking example of circular architecture – one of the first hemp-based houses in the Netherlands. Designed for artists seeking inspiration, this innovative dwelling is almost entirely crafted from bio-based materials, proving that sustainability and artistry can thrive together.
At its core, the house features prefabricated lime-hemp walls, a 100% natural, disassemblable construction method that absorbs CO₂ while ensuring structural integrity. Unlike conventional facades, the hemp-concrete shell is self-supporting, recalling traditional building techniques where form and function seamlessly merge. The sleek limestone plaster finish and dynamic window openings enhance the building’s minimalist elegance, playing with depth and natural light.
Beyond its ecological mission, the residency is designed for collaboration. A spacious communal area at the front doubles as a rehearsal and performance space, while the kitchen and living room transform into a serene creative hub with views of lush surroundings. Upstairs, three private bedrooms – each with an en-suite bathroom and mezzanine – offer personal retreats for reflection. Finished with clay plaster, hemp, and limestone, the interiors promote a breathable, naturally regulated climate, reducing the need for artificial ventilation. A true pioneer in biobased living, this residency embodies a future where architecture nurtures both people and the planet.

©Jeroen Verrecht
©Jeroen Verrecht
©Jeroen Verrecht
©Jeroen Verrecht
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