A new Shelters for All affordable housing contest started November 15, 2011. They’re seeking 700-1,100 sq. ft. one story house designs for the poorest in urban areas. I’d like to enter the contest and now I’m racking my brain trying to figure out what house design to use. It takes a lot of time and … Read more
Cordwood building is practical where there’s sufficient supply of rot resistant wood. Most areas don’t have an adequate supply of wood like this available, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative and use cordwood in small areas. If all the walls are plastered, it gets a little boring. Cordwood, stone and bottles add some … Read more
Project Somos is establishing a village for abandoned and orphaned children in Guatemala near the town of Tecpán. The Village will have seven homes with Guatemalan Foster Mothers raising a household of children. The family homes are being built using earthbag construction. This eco-sustainable Village will use alternative power, and will have organic agriculture & … Read more
Specifications: 2,224 sq. ft. interior, 1,520 sq. ft. courtyard, each duplex has two bedrooms, two baths, Footprint: 74’ diameter I still want to add cisterns between trees, lots of garden, a patio with outdoor oven and walkways, but I want to give you a sneak peek at my latest design and get your feedback. What … Read more
I’ve known about bottle walls for a number of years, but I didn’t pay much attention because most bottle walls use a lot of cement and because earthbag walls are superior in a number of ways. Up until today I favored bottle walls primarily for decoration. (See Bottle Walls and Bottle Wall Details.) My opinion … Read more
From www.visualnews.com comes this story about using plastic bottles filled with sand as bricks for building: A surplus of empty plastic bottles is something that not only affects Africa, but the entire planet. In a small village in Nigeria, a solution has been applied to not only provide shelter in a poverty stricken country, but … Read more