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
“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 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
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
“Ever dreamed of an efficient earthen oven that was hot in just 15 minutes? How about a canning stove that could process 32 quart jars at once? Check out this efficient wood-fired barrel oven and canning stove that were made in Eugene, Oregon out of adobe bricks that were made on-site. These two wood-fired implements … Read more
Background information from Wiki: Open Source Architecture “Open-source architecture (OSArc) is an emerging paradigm describing new procedures for the design, construction and operation of buildings, infrastructure and spaces… it describes an inclusive approach to spatial design, a collaborative use of design software… A contemporary form of open-source vernacular is the Open Architecture Network launched by … Read more