[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/2828805 w=400&h=302] The Rural Studio from BluePrint Productions on Vimeo. “The Rural Studio is a design-build architecture studio run by Auburn University which aims to teach students about the social responsibilities of the profession of architecture while also providing safe, well-constructed and inspirational homes and buildings for poor communities in rural west Alabama, part … Read more
Stephen and Nena MacDonald’s post and beam strawbale house in Gila, New Mexico that was built in 1988-1989. The initial shell was $5/sq. ft. and the finished cost was between $7-$8/sq. ft. – Permaculture.org “Build our house out of straw?” When our neighbor suggested the idea as a solution to our housing problem, both my … Read more
“Inspiration for your quiet place somewhere. Edited by the folks at Beaver Brook.” This is a fantastic site with hundreds of beautiful cabin photos! I’ve had the pleasure of living in places very similar to those in the photos. Thanks to Ziggy at Year of Mud for finding this great website. Image source: Free Cabin … Read more
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/28676720 w=400&h=300] Source: Lost and Found Films
From time to time we answer reader’s questions. Here, numerous emails have been combined and edited for brevity. Rex: My goal is to learn to build houses with local materials in order to help people in my area build sustainable debt free homes. I’m in love with your Earthbag Lodge plan as I had previously … Read more
The idea for this blog post sprang from my discussion with Milton in the comments section of The Woodland House. On a certain level it’s true – most owner-built houses and alternative homes are not built as quickly and as “efficiently” as contractor-built homes. But then again, not everyone wants to live in lifeless tract … Read more