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
I see at least two main approaches to building a pit house with earthbags: 1. Mimic Mike Oehler’s greenhouse design using earthbags instead of poles and shoring. 2. Mimic conventional walipini pit greenhouses. That’s what I’ve chosen to do in the following drawing. It’s very similar to typical walipini’s, so follow the directions in the … Read more
The Finca Luna Nueva Lodge in Costa Rica is a sustainable rainforest eco-hotel together with a certified organic biodynamic farm. They began farming in 1993, planting and harvesting organic ginger and turmeric. They just finished a workshop building an earthbag roundhouse, and plan to do at least one more. You can find out more about … Read more