Tiny House Communities Can Solve Social Problems

In Detroit colorful little homes are intended to help solve desperate urban problems. “Every single house is different on purpose,” said the Rev. Faith Fowler, the executive director of Cass Community Social Services, a nonprofit group that is building the two dozen tiny homes. Low-income adults, including people formerly homeless or incarcerated, are moving into … Read more

Earthbag Houses for Women in Nepal and a Workshop

Kateryna Zemskova from Good Earth Global wrote me, saying, “In Nepal we have an on-going Earthbag Building project: Houses for Widows. In Nomabhuda village, Kavre District we are building Earthbag homes for widows, single women and their children. All were displaced by the 2015 earthquake, and many now live in tin shacks. We work in … Read more

Guesthouse in Brazil of Rammed Earth and Bamboo

A guesthouse designed by CRU! Architects in southeastern Brazil features locally sourced bamboo and rammed earth to create a simple one bedroom and bath layout. This design also has a green roof that helps it fit into the landscape. A large granite bolder emerging from the terrain is integrated into the bedroom, sculpturally forming part … Read more

A Village of Earthen Houses in Vietnam

Nestled at the foot of a mountain range in the northern province of Ha Giang, Vietnam, Lo Lo Chai Village is comprised of mostly earthen houses. With their rammed-earth walls, tiled roofs and stone fences, the houses are typical architecture of the local Lo Lo ethnic community. Thanks to its charming culture and unique architecture, … Read more

Beach House in Oregon has Many Natural Features

This Cannon Beach house, built in 2005, has a green roof planted in sedum and wild strawberries and is clad with  cedar shakes. Architect Nathan Good’s clients wanted a home “that would be healthy to live in with a dramatically reduced impact on the environment.” Almost all of the wood was salvaged, wind fallen or … Read more