Cement has been called the foundation of modern civilization, the stuff of highways, bridges, sidewalks and buildings of all sizes. But its production comes with a huge carbon footprint. Environmental chemist David Stone was seeking a way to keep iron from rusting when he stumbled upon a possible substitute that requires significantly less energy. Special … Read more
Owen Geiger is a prolific designer of simple and elegant housing solutions. Among his many designs are a number of multi-unit dwellings that could accommodate a range of multiple families or various living arrangements. I have recently compiled a page at www.dreamgreenhomes.com that shows six of Owen’s designs that are for sale. I’ll post pictures … Read more
Wayne Talbot, a reader from South Africa, sent me these photos and description of an earthbag privacy wall that he just completed. I think that is very nicely done! Inspired by Owen’s earthbag building resources, I recently completed the construction of an earthbag boundary wall. 11m L x 2.5m high. Bags filled with building sand … Read more
This off-the-grid tiny house on wheels has been beautifully handcrafted using sustainably sourced materials. Designed to stand the test of time, it’s one to be passed down to future generations.
Few things give me more pleasure than living among green plants, especially when they are edible. If you couple this with the possibility of helping to heat your house, you can readily see why people become attached to their attached greenhouses. I have built several of them, with different materials and designs, but the basic … Read more
Andrew Morrison, who I know from his involvement with straw bale building, has taken up the cause of going tiny and explains why this has worked for him in this TED Talk from a couple of years ago. He enumerates many reasons that make a lot of sense.