Even though the Earthbuilder’s Encyclopedia CD covers adobe and rammed earth construction, earthbag builders will find lots of useful information. Lintels, bond beams, plasters, mixing, site preparation, attaching things to walls, design issues, etc. are all relevant since there’s so much in common. The CD is a compilation of years of Adobe Builder Magazine articles, … Read more
After months of delays due to technical glitches, my new Basic Earthbag Building video will soon be available through Amazon. Special thanks to Kelly Hart, co-developer of this blog and EarthbagBuilding.com, for making the cover and steering the project through the final difficult stage. The first part of Basic Earthbag Building provides clear, simple explanations … Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1xt4nEvipg I think almost everyone knows about planned obsolescence, but you might be surprised about the extent that it’s used. For instance, there’s a lightbulb in the Livermore, California firehouse that’s burned continuously for over 100 years. As explained in the The Lightbulb Conspiracy documentary, a group of industry leaders conspired decades ago to reduce … Read more
LandTrees, a Panama rental, agricultural and agrocultural tourism company, is building structures made of earthbags, adobe, rammed earth, bamboo and/or wood logs. Their EcoRanchos earthbag structures (see link below) have a construction permit issued by the authorities. As far as we know this is a first for earthbag structures in Panama. From Walter: “Majestic Dome” … Read more
An airlock entryway (vestibule) has two airtight doors that reduce the amount of air infiltration and heat loss when the exterior door is opened. They create a buffer area to block the wind and improve energy efficiency. Double door airlock entries are common features in energy-efficient homes in cold climates, but they also reduce air … Read more
George Nez pioneered and wrote the book on hypar roofs, along with Albert Knott. They’re extremely durable and practical, and have been used around the world for decades. This is the same type of roof used on the Free Burma Ranger Clinic posted earlier. The basic process involves building a wood or bamboo … Read more