IAT Earthbag Building in Costa Rica

During March of 2010, Rowen Wilson and Heather Taylor, the two youngest members of the volunteer team, led a small group of Costa Rican youth in the construction of a prototype Earthbag Building. Composed of sacking tubes filled with clay and sand, and covered with waterproofing material, these structures are inexpensive and fun to build. … Read more

Rocket Stove with Oven

This is one of the best ovens I’ve seen! It’s super low cost and simple. “By simply using clay and organic matter you can create an oven that is beautiful, versatile, energy efficient and it will cook delicious meals. We want to share this idea because we believe it can create business opportunities and help … Read more

Majestic Dome

LandTrees, a Panama rental, agricultural and agrocultural tourism company, is building structures made of earthbags, adobe, rammed earth, bamboo and/or wood logs. Their EcoRanchos earthbag structures (see link below) have a construction permit issued by the authorities. As far as we know this is a first for earthbag structures in Panama. From Walter: “Majestic Dome” … Read more

Free Burma Rangers Clinic

  “Engineering Ministries International is a non-profit organization of Christian design professionals. We provide engineering and architectural design for Christian ministries in the developing world. This past September our team conducted a construction training workshop for earthbag building. We also provided training in a thin shell latex concrete roof system called the HyPar, due to … Read more

New FEMA Flood Plain Insurance Regulations

New FEMA flood insurance regulations are going to have a huge impact on homeowners who live along US waterways. Robert Rash (see below) says these regulations will impact 40% of Americans. Keith Haley, a former weather forecaster who has lived in his current home 47 years and never been flooded, is being required buy FEMA … Read more

Arqui Natura

Brasília, DF Project: 2009 Construction Park headquarters of Asa Sul, Brazil’s first urban park to be planned permacultural within guidelines. Ipoema partnership with the Institute of Permaculture. – Building with superadobe structural walls. – Use of natural lighting with glass bottles (recycled material). – Sustainable sanitation system (basin evapotranspiration). Source: Arqui Natura