A Natural Bench Building Workshop in New Mexico

Using locally sourced and some imported resources, participants at an earthen bench building workshop worked together to create three benches during the 2025 Silver City CLAY Festival. “Benches or pizza ovens are such a great way to get your hands dirty, to learn more easily, because it doesn’t take a lot of material, unlike building … Read more

Ecological Co-Housing in the UK

Hazelmead is the UK’s largest completed cohousing development, designed by Barefoot Architects for Bridport Cohousing. There are 53 affordable, net-zero carbon homes—mixing flats and terraced houses—along car-free streets, shared vegetable gardens, and a community microgrid with solar panels and battery storage. Built to rigorous sustainability standards, the timber-framed buildings have passive solar orientation, high insulation, … Read more

A Mud & Bamboo Mountain Retreat in India

Filmmakers Raman Siddhartha and Manju Narayan returned to Dharamshala, India to build a sustainable homestay made of local mud, bamboo, and slate. To reach it, you have to leave your car behind and walk a stretch of narrow path.  Here’s how they created an off-grid haven rooted in tradition and community. “I’ve lived in London … Read more

Can Bioregional Thinking Help Deal with Bad Architectural Habits?

How can we repair our living spaces after devastating climate related disasters if we continue the very architectural habits that led us to disaster? The answer may lie in bioregional systems for materials, a more localized approach to the way we build our homes and habitats. Architecture 2030, a non-profit, non-partisan organization established to respond … Read more

Build Outside The Box Mastermind

The Build Outside The Box Mastermind course covers 17 different natural building techniques taught by high caliber teachers, and includes valuable resources such as workbooks and checklists. It also has a growing library of extra classes. You can find out what building style is best for your climate, budget, skill-level, and values. In today’s world, … Read more

Prefabricated Sustainable Homes in Canada

A Toronto-based company is selling a line of affordable, modular prefabricated home designs that meet and exceed net-zero standards. CABN lists designs ranging from 540 to 2,500 square feet and from one to four bedrooms. Standard features include: Forest Stewardship Council certified wood; Helical pile foundations that typically use no concrete and can be installed … Read more