As the New Year approaches, Our Favorite Things Vol. 20 is having a rubberneck moment. Normally we look outward at what the world has to offer in cool architectural products, materials, and smartly designed projects. But what about us?!! Over here!!! We have something to show you: Five reasons why people light up when they walk into our Studio for the first time.

Living Bridges, Literally: The tiny village of Mawsynram in Meghalaya puts Colorado’s frequent afternoon rainstorms to shame. Wearing “the wettest place on earth” badge with honor, the locals train the roots of rubber trees to grow into resilient natural bridges and ladders that last for centuries, where man-made wooden structures would deteriorate within a few years. Talk about 100% living architecture!

This time of year, everything can start taking on a wash of, well, dreariness…boredom…familiarity. It’s the February doldrums in full effect! Not that familiarity is bad, but things can be a lot more fun with a dash of the unexpected. Some of Our Favorite Things surprise us with Materials Mashups.