Mortar is a mixture of cement, water, and sand (and sometimes lime), used as a binding agent for bricks, stones, and other masonry materials. Mortar has been used for thousands of years in construction, evolving from natural materials to today’s cement-based formulations. Its role is to bind and seal masonry,…
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a self-contained living space built on the same lot as a primary single-family home. It includes a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area, making it suitable for independent living. ADUs can be detached structures, such as backyard cottages, or attached units, like converted basements or…
A roofing square is a standard unit used in the roofing industry to measure roof size and estimate material needs. One roofing square covers 100 square feet, or a 10-foot by 10-foot area. How to Calculate Roofing Squares Measure Your Roof Break the roof into sections. Measure each section’s length…
Built on the traditional homeland of the Sauk, Fox, and Potawatomi peoples, Chicago is a city of immigrants. Just 13 years after the city was incorporated in 1837, more than half of its residents were born overseas, having flocked to the region from across Europe and Asia alongside tens of thousands…
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is a mass timber product made by gluing together layers of kiln-dried solid wood, usually spruce, pine, or fir—with each layer laid perpendicular to the one below. This cross-lamination enhances strength, stability, and load distribution in both directions. How CLT Is Made Lumber Selection: Kiln-dried, defect-free softwood…
It takes a real knack for design to make something as hefty and industrial as steel and bricks appear weightless or even playful. But British artist Alex Chinneck (previously) is no stranger to monumental projects that reimagine urban infrastructure and buildings into striking public installations. As part of London’s Clerkenwell…
Split-level and bi-level homes are often confused due to their staggered layouts, but they differ in both structure and function. The main difference lies in the number of levels and how the interior space is arranged. Feature Bi-Level House Split-Level House Number of Levels 2 3 or more Entry Location…
Porches and patios both create outdoor living spaces, but they serve different purposes and have distinct structural features. Whether you’re planning to build or simply want to identify what you have, here’s a quick guide to help you understand the difference between a porch and a patio. Feature Porch Patio…
With so many types of houses, from cottages and townhomes to ranches and lofts there’s something for every style and need. A house is a structure, but a home is where you feel you belong. Explore these house types and see which one feels right for you. Condominium Apartment Co-op…
Rwandan illustrator and animator Mikah Xhart is part of a new wave of African digital artists reshaping how the continent sees itself—and how the world sees Africa. With a bold aesthetic and a deep narrative sensibility, Mikah’s work merges traditional Rwandan culture with contemporary design and speculative imagination. He is…