Understanding Black Concrete

Concrete may be synonymous with its common gray hue, but pigment experimentation with the material has taken place since the ’50s. While rare, black concrete can be made by adding iron oxide, which is found naturally in magnetite—one of the most common iron ores. “When added to the concrete mix, the iron oxide particles encompass and coat the cement particles, which are 10 times smaller.” …

India’s Emerging Wine Industry

Nashik is the capital of India’s winemaking region despite being best known in the country for “onions and table grapes, farmer activism, and its many temples, including Trimbakeshwar.” Visiting Sula Vineyards, India’s biggest wine producer, reveals an industry in flux. Substantial developments around the winery, its restaurant, production factories and tasting rooms aim to heighten the overall wine-tasting experience, draw more tourists and educate visitors. …

Antarctica’s Architectural Wonders

In Antarctica, architecture must withstand extreme weather—temperatures that dip to -60 degrees Fahrenheit and winds that whip over 100mph—while also meeting the needs of the burgeoning population. Categorized as a research zone with bases from 29 nations, nearly 4,000 people call Antarctica home during the year. Some 70 structures exist as of right now (many of them new and designed by acclaimed architects) and there …