Australia is deploying renewables 10 times faster than the global average, with rooftop solar in the lead. And the per-capita deployment rate was four times higher than fast-developing renewable markets such as China, Europe, Japan and the U.S. What lessons can they offer to improve the uptake of clean energy? While Australia has a vibrant … Read more
I recently received the following email from Kimi Ishikawa: We are in the process of building the first-ever fully permitted tire bale home in New Mexico! I exchanged emails with Owen Geiger while we were exploring building methods, and shared info with him on Foxhole Homes, the organization that hopes to build tire bale homes in … Read more
Jim Gagnepain and his wife, Stephanie, built their retirement home in eastern El Paso County, Colorado. Jim, who has a background in electrical engineering, acted as the general contractor, and he and Stephanie did a lot of the work. The result is an almost completely self-sufficient bermed earth home. Jim and Stephanie had long been … Read more
At Cob Cottage Company in Oregon Kara Stiff trained in cob, an ancient technique using clay, sand and straw, with stone or recycled concrete for the foundation. They built rounded houses that seemed right out of a fairy tale, using materials that were freely available just about everywhere, non-toxic, cozy and beautiful. There wasn’t a … Read more
The most relevant reinterpretations of ancient construction today are those that do so in the interest of sustainability, renouncing high-energy modern construction methods in favor of older, more natural techniques. The ancient Egyptian Nubian vault is making a resurgence in Sahelian Africa. Population growth and rapid deforestation have made it difficult for people to continue … Read more
Emma lives in the wild woods of Wales, where she is close to nature , with no running water, electricity, or internet. For Emma, this way of life is all about building a closer relationship to nature while also creating a lifestyle where she is free of the pressures of the modern world. Her simple … Read more