Bacteria And Tunnels

We The Bacteria

Régine Debatty | We Make Money Not Art | 27th February 2026

Review of a book offering an "alternative history of architecture from the point of view of microbes". It argues that our entire built environment was created in service to microbial ecosystems. From plague hospitals to urban parks, via sewage systems and indoor bathrooms, the way we build structures has been influenced by microbes, the diseases they can bring, and our fears of infection (1,000 words)

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So You Want To Build A Tunnel...

Grady Hillhouse | Practical Engineering | 17th February 2026

"Hobby tunnelling" is increasingly popular. Amateur engineers, captivated by the idea of carving their own passageways into a subterranean wilderness, are just getting on with it. One example under a Toronto carpark sparked fears of terrorist plots until the maker came forward: "It was just a guy who liked digging." Tips for diggers: check your permits, think about spoil disposal, and watch out for fires (3,000 words)