Renovating a Decrepit Farm in Wales

While vacationing, Nicole and Gav decided they “might as well” view some smallholdings for sale to simply indulge in a dream they had long carried.  They were attracted to a 13-acre smallholding in west Wales, with a crumbling farmhouse and a yard full of derelict outbuildings. The couple immediately fell in love with it and … Read more

Building an Earthbag House in Rural India

When architect Neha Ballal floated the idea of moving to the mountains and building a mud home, her decision was met with skepticism: “Everyone’s doing the opposite. Why would you retreat to the place everyone’s leaving behind?” But today, when her home gets visitors from the city (it is listed on Airbnb) it makes for … Read more

The Potential for Bamboo in Nepal

Despite contributing nearly 1 percent to Nepal’s GDP, bamboo remains largely under-utilized. Traditional uses, including scaffolding, weaving, handicrafts and household items, dominate the current market. Bamboo’s optimal use depends on species and maturity, where shoots under three weeks are best for consumption, three weeks to one year for weaving, one to three years for small … Read more

Earth Art Village in Crestone, Colorado

Suzanne Rouge is an athletic-looking 60+ year-old woman with a lot of energy and a lot of ideas. She is a driving force behind Earth Art Village, a cooperative collaboration for mutual benefit to all members, located just north of Crestone. Colorado. Earth Art Village began in 1998 with 460 acres to be subdivided into … Read more

Super Wood Stronger than Steel

Scientists at the University of Maryland have turned ordinary wood into a material that rivals steel in strength and weighs far less—and it’s already heading to market. What emerged is now called Superwood, a material created by altering natural wood’s internal structure to boost its strength, reduce weight, and improve resilience. The process, developed and tested … Read more