Our Mesh Hoop House is Finished

We recently completed a mesh hoop house in our forest garden. Our climate is tropical, so we wanted a mesh fabric covering that blocks the intensity of the sun and allows plenty of ventilation. The hoop house will be used to grow vegetable starts for the garden, microgreens and tomatoes in large containers. The project … Read more

Garage turned into a TINY HOUSE- “The Rustic Modern” in Portland, OR


“Derek “Deek” Diedricksen (author of “Microshelters” and “Humble Homes, Simple Shacks”) tours a tiny house (converted from a garage) in Portland, OR. This airbnb rental house has full stairs to its loft, a great little kitchen, bathroom, and more- as you’ll see in this tiny house tour. This particular house is also featured in Deek’s “Microshelters” book on small homes, cabins, tree houses, and backyard offices.”

Read more

El Jicarto Earthbag School Nicaragua

El Jicarito School from Gonzalo J. Lopez on Vimeo.

“EL JICARITO SCHOOL is an innovative low-cost school design that brings a community together through collaborative construction methods, using local materials, while creating a new educational space that will enhance creativity.

Read more

Outside the Box: Off-the-Grid Living with Josie and Abe

Josie and Abe’s off grid homestead -- Vela Creations
Josie and Abe’s off grid homestead — Vela Creations

“What if the only bill you had to pay was for the internet? Imagine what you could do with all of that extra money.

Imagine how little you’d have to work for the man! You would be able to sustain yourself on very little monetary income, and invest more of your time into the things that mattered.

Read more

Earthbag Rental Dome in Chihuahua, Mexico

Earthbag rental dome in Chihuahua, Mexico
Earthbag rental dome in Chihuahua, Mexico

Hi Owen,
There is an earthbag building at a hotel in northern Mexico. I travel near there every 3-4 months, so have been able to follow the progress. The last trip it seems to be finished on the exterior, so wanted to grab a photo for you.

Read more