A Sampler of Alternative Homes: Approaching Sustainable Architecture . This two-hour DVD, produced by Kelly Hart, provides an overview of sustainable building concepts. You can enjoy a look at a fascinating variety of homes and the creative people who built them! Discover how passive solar design and environmentally low-impact materials can be used to create comfortable and economical homes. See the use of both traditional materials, such as adobe, and innovative materials, such as papercrete and earthbags.
This program offers a wealth of information about construction details and other considerations. It covers adobe block construction, piled adobe (similar to cob), rammed earth, both load-bearing and post and beam strawbale, earthships, earth-sheltering, cordwood, thin-shelled concrete domes, papercrete, earthbags, hybrid structures, and recycling various containers for housing. To watch a streaming video introduction to this program, click here.
You can purchase this DVD for a total of $30 directly from Kelly Hart below. Allow at least a week for postal delivery.
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A Sampler of Alternative Homes DVD |
$30
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Would this work here in Alaska?
This video covers strawbale houses, which is probably your best option. The other methods are not as applicable. My first choice would be to download the free strawbale ebook here:
https://naturalbuildingblog.siterubix.com/free-strawbale-building-ebook-build-bales/
Use gravel bags on lower courses (poly earthbags filled with gravel, pumice or scoria) then stack bales on top. Tie everything together with baling twine. Use poles for extra strength.
Another good source: https://naturalbuildingblog.siterubix.com/straw-bale-yurt-bible/
You might also want to get Serious Strawbale if you’re building a nice home: https://www.amazon.com/Serious-Straw-Bale-Construction-Climates-ebook/dp/B0068SB926
What would you consider best for the southern Australian climate?
Data shows that the constant temperature underground in all of Australia runs between 18 and 22 degrees C. so an underground or substantially bermed home should remain comfortable with very little need for heating or cooling energy. Some passive solar should be all that is needed.
Hempcrete is another sustainable material! Come learn all about it in Taos June 12-18th!