Hidden among the trees in Nagano Prefecture, Japan is a small earthen house designed by Tono Mirai Architects. It combines traditional materials and techniques with contemporary design. Shell House took inspiration from natural forms to create a small, organic building that blends into the surrounding forest. Like a shell, the house embraces the north and … Read more
Below is an excerpt from Home Work: Hand Built Shelter (Shelter Publications, 2004) by Lloyd Kahn. This book features more than 1,500 photos that illustrate various innovative architectural styles and natural building materials such as cob, papercrete, bamboo, adobe, strawbale, timber framing and earthbags. If you love fine, fun or funky buildings, you will enjoy … Read more
Stanzin Phuntsog (24) and Samyuktha S (29) are from the opposite ends of India, but they share a vision for sustainable architecture that is natural, eco-friendly, community-driven and hands-on. Three years ago they established Earth Building in order to promote these things. They have explored many earthen techniques like cob, earthbag, adobe, rammed earth and … Read more
Sam and Lily built a Tiny House and put it on some property outside of Zion National Park, but then after seeing so much interest, they decided to start a unique Tiny House hotel called Zions Tiny Oasis. Now they have three Tiny Houses on the property for rent with more on the way. You … Read more
Here is a list compiled by The Edge of Malaysia of eco-friendly alternative housing, Finished off with plaster a straw bale house is airtight, pest-proof and fireproof, making it sturdy and impossible to be blown down. It provides great insulation and can easily keep heat in or out. Straw is easily sourced, being a by-product … Read more
The Izadkhast fortress, a Sassanid era (224–651) fortification in southern province of Fars, Iran, will undergo some rehabilitation work soon. A budget of about $50,000 has been allocated to the project, which includes reinforcement of the foundation and exterior walls and covering parts of the fortress with cob material. This fortress was built on the … Read more