Editorial Staff

Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash The convergence of sustainability and biophilia (the idea that humans have an innate, evolutionarily rooted need to connect with living systems, natural forms, and life-like processes in order to thrive) can be traced to a distinct historical moment in the late twentieth century, when cultural, ecological, and intellectual conditions […] The post A Brief History of Biophilia and Modern Design appeared first on NELMA.

Charred wood cladding has become a major architectural trend because it offers a rare mix of beauty, durability, and low-maintenance protection. Projects like TIMM Architecture’s Inverted House show how charred timber can function as both an aesthetic shell and a resilient exterior boundary. (Designboom highlights the home’s serrated charred wood envelope as its defining street-facing […] The post Charred Lumber Performance: Eastern White Pine vs. Cedar and Other Species appeared first on NELMA.

Completed in 2024 by the French practice AT Architecture, The Very Small Housing Collective a subtle yet powerful reinterpretation of suburban housing that responds to contemporary social and environmental challenges. Located in Carry-le-Rouet on the Mediterranean coast near Marseille, this project transforms a typical 1950s detached house into a flexible, multi-unit dwelling without increasing the […] The post The Re-Use Architecture Trend presents a Compact, Intergenerational Living Solution appeared first on NELMA.

Can you guess the grade? (scroll for a hint) If you have ever been curious about lumber grades, check out NELMA’s interactive Grader Academy featuring the Above Board Grading Game here:  www.graderacademy.org   Need a hint? Knots: Generally sound and tight, with sizes increasing with board width (e.g., 2″ red knots on a 4″ board, up […] The post Guess the Grade appeared first on NELMA.

If you’ve been doomscrolling home design feeds or watching renovation videos lately, you’ve probably noticed it: wood is everywhere again. Not just as flooring. Not just as furniture. We’re talking walls, ceilings, built-ins, shelves, and “wood drenching”—the trend of wrapping interiors in natural wood to create spaces that feel warmer and more grounded. And one […] The post Eastern White Pine Is Having a Moment (Again): 5 Trends Behind the Comeback appeared first on NELMA.

If you’ve been scrolling design blogs, browsing Pinterest, or watching renovation shows lately, you’ve probably noticed a warm, cozy shift in interior style. Walls, ceilings, trim, built-ins—sometimes even floors—all wrapped in natural wood. This growing movement is called Wood Drenching, and it’s rapidly becoming one of the most accessible and creative trends for DIY homeowners. […] The post Wood Drenching: Why DIYers Are Covering Their Homes in Natural Timber appeared first on NELMA.

Nestled in the Catskill forest just outside Woodstock, NY, the Woodstock Poolhouse is a sleek, 2,000-square-foot retreat designed by North River Architecture & Planning. At only 18 feet wide, the structure threads gracefully between towering trees, creating a serene escape with a 60-foot indoor lap pool, spa bathroom, exercise room, and a covered deck that […] The post Dive in to Eastern White Pine appeared first on NELMA.

The Treehouse at Harvard University (designed by Studio Gang) uses exposed mass timber to create a “climb-into-the-treetops” gathering space. Why wood? Because it offers warmth, structure, and sustainability — and shows how material choice matters. About the Project The “Treehouse” is a new 55,000 sf (approx.) conference and event facility at Harvard’s Enterprise Research Campus […] The post DIY Lessons from a mass timber treehouse appeared first on NELMA.

Why Local Eastern White Pine Belongs in Your Next DIY Project Welcome to The Local Wood Revolution When you pick up a board of Eastern White Pine (EWP), you’re holding a piece of New England’s legacy — and a smarter, more sustainable building choice. For today’s DIYers, “green building” isn’t only about recycled materials or […] The post Building Smarter, Not Farther appeared first on NELMA.

Why “grain popping” is emerging as a must-do step in wood finishing A design trend is quietly gaining momentum among architects, finishers, and DIYers alike: applying a prefinish water “pop” to open up wood grain and let the stain truly sing. The technique—often called water popping or grain raising—is becoming a go-to for richer, deeper, […] The post Grain Popping Emerges as Design Trend To Watch in 2026 appeared first on NELMA.