From the outset, Casa AYA aimed to be built in the most sustainable way possible and is the first straw bale home built to PassivHaus standards in Uruguay. The use of concrete was reduced by 93% compared to conventional construction by using raised foundations. This technique allowed the ground profile to remain unaltered, respecting the … Read more
Here are some examples of mud houses in India that show us how ancient building techniques can be adapted to modern climate responsive homes. A Kanha-Inspired Bungalow In Raipur The owners wanted to take them back, at least in spirit, to the mud houses of Kanha. “We were clear that the home should serve as … Read more
New Zealand couple James and Leonie have found a way to thrive in a sustainable tiny home and food forest without breaking the bank. Before building their tiny house the couple lived in a van while traveling, followed by a house truck, and later, a small studio. It was here that they started drafting their … Read more
A split-level mud brick house and a sprawling garden full of Australian native plants is featured here. There is an orchard, hothouse, two dams, two large chicken pens and an outdoor pizza oven. The original building was made of mud bricks, but its poorly made mud bricks had to be replaced. The owners removed the … Read more
Rammed-earth houses are a distinctive cultural feature of the Hmong people living in the Dong Van Karst Plateau, the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, Vietnam. Traditionally, these homes are considered a measure of a family’s wealth and heritage, reflecting how long a Hmong lineage has settled in the region. You can read the original … Read more
Mike Oehler lived for over 30 years in an underground home that he built for $50 (and expanded for $500) on his land in Northern Idaho near the Canadian border. Now in his seventies his arthritis keeps him from hiking up to his home, but he continues to “write and proselytize” In 1968 like thousands … Read more