Dan Phillips turns backyard scraps into whimsical Texan houses

Dan Phillips’ company, Phoenix Commotion, turns trash into homes, employs “unskilled” workers and creates shelter for low-income families. Phillips is trying to show that there are many good reasons to reuse construction waste and provide a whimsical alternative to mobile homes or other affordable housing. With no formal training in architecture or construction, Phillips is … Read more

The Carriage House

About 15 years ago I built the “Carriage House” using a prefabricated steel vault as a supporting structure for earthbags filled with scoria as insulation. It is a two story affair, with the lower one being a garage/shop and the upper one an office and storage space. I located a new 34′ X 16′ steel … Read more

Golden Bamboo Ceilings

Golden or yellow bamboo in the round makes a very attractive ceiling.
Golden or yellow bamboo in the round makes a very attractive ceiling.

I posted a photo a while back about the new roofing tile on our earthbag roundhouse. The exterior looks great, and the roofing tile won’t take any maintenance for 20-30 years. But like I said in that blog post the ceiling is unfinished. The thatch roof that was on it before made a gorgeous ceiling, but the upkeep was too much since thatch here only lasts about three years. It occurred to me that bamboo would look really good on the ceiling. One option is golden or yellow bamboo as shown in these images.

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Bamboo Mat Design Options

Bamboo mat designs
Bamboo mat designs

There are many different uses for bamboo mat such as wall treatments, ceilings, floor mats, placemats, furniture and cabinet door panels. The natural textures and hues add a special touch to a home. Millions of low cost homes in the tropics use bamboo mat as the main covering over lightweight wall framing. The image above shows just a few available designs. Check your local suppliers or order online.

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Arched and Coved Ceilings

Archways and Ceilings Made Easy
Archways and Ceilings Made Easy

“The Curve Appeal: A Photo Book of Arched Ceilings
Looking for a good design or idea to incorporate into your home? Well, take a look below and see different types of ceilings from groin vaults, dome ceilings, barrel vaults, cove ceilings and archways. Get ideas and see what works best where.”

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