We’ve had a lively discussion for years here on our Natural Building Blog about the best places to live with few or no building codes that make it easy to build a home out of low cost natural materials and create a homestead. In my opinion the Ozarks is a top choice for natural building and homesteading in the US due to many factors.
Owen Geiger
11 Years Living Off-Grid
“Hélène Dubé and her partner Alain Neveu from Es-Cargo http://www.es-cargo.qc.ca/ have lived off-grid in Quebec, Canada for 11 years in a self-built earthship style home made of recycled tires filled with earth and large south-facing windows.” Note: I recommend using earthbags similar to what Jake and others who are building ‘earthbag earthships’. https://naturalbuildingblog.com/jake-vs-earthship-part-8/
DIY Gabion Walls
“Here is a quick tutorial of how I build my own gabion walls from standard concrete remesh and galvanized wire. They are simple to build and can be filled with most types of large stones, rock, or concrete chunks. These are commonly available materials and often can be found free on craigslist.”
Bamboo Domes in Vietnam
“Vo Trong Nghia Architects recently released new photos of eight bamboo domes rising on an islet on Saigon River in Vietnam. The completed structures comprise part of a multifunctional community center for the Diamond Island project, a series of large and small spaces for local residents to use as venues for various events and activities.
Ty Twt Small Strawbale House in Wales
“This project in Powys, Wales was set in a small clearing in an Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) woodland. The client wanted to blur the lines between interior and exterior and create something that fits into the landscape. The house had to be eco-friendly, healthy to live in and affordable.
Off Grid Solar Kiln for Drying Lumber
“This particular solar kiln is the brainchild of Virginia Tech and the plans are available for free online.