No-Bake Martian Bricks

“Should we ever get human settlers on Mars, they’ll likely have to construct their buildings at least partially out of Martian soil. That said, it would be nice if they didn’t have to bring along a bunch of kilns, in order to fire that soil into bricks. Well, according to a NASA-funded study conducted at … Read more

Standing Dead Timber

Standing dead timber from bark beetle infestation.
Standing dead timber from bark beetle infestation.

Store-bought lumber is cost prohibitive for many people. One good alternative for natural builders is using standing dead trees – trees that have been killed by insects or fire and are still standing. For best results, select trees that have been dead for only a few years. With some practice you’ll learn to identify sound timber that has little or no rot. The dead trees can be used in the round as posts and beams or milled into lumber. One key advantage is the logs have already dried naturally and are ready for use.

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Earthen Hand Natural Building Workshops

Earthen Hand Natural Building Workshops
Earthen Hand Natural Building Workshops

“This message was inspired by Earth Day and Buddha’s birthday… Mother Earth in jeopardy and refugee crises abound, are you beginning to feel it is surreal? Corporate interests increase their militaristic stranglehold on every available aspect of life itself, and we still don’t know what time it is. Time to go the other way.

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Shelter Institute Workshops, Books and Tools

“Shelter Institute classes will empower you. For over 35 years, we’ve been teaching people how to build, renovate, general contract, or simply how to live better in their homes. We take a common-sense approach toward teaching and building. You’ll learn by experience. We integrate timeless tools and traditional techniques with cutting-edge knowledge and technology. At … Read more

WWII Bunker Turned into Amazing Spartan Lodge

“Twenty years ago when Ben Spee was looking for a “special” place to live, the Foundation Forteresse was planning to turn an old Dutch fort into a B&B. Spee moved in and spent the next 15 years helping turn a 19th-Century fortress – complete with moat – into a “special” place to spend the night.”

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