Kay Hybrid

Like many other designers, architects and engineers who are working to help rebuild Haiti, we’re constantly trying to create new house designs and improve previous efforts. This new hybrid design for Haiti is based on our Transitional L Kay design. The Kay is the most common house style in their country. Both versions provide immediate … Read more

Earthbag House in Austin

Louis Burns, a writer and former real estate agent, toured a newly completed Eco-dome in Austin and wrote an eye-opening assessment. Here are a few quotes from the article. “The plans from Cal-Earth that they’re working from are designed for the desert climate. There, you have a significant temperature drop in the evenings which allow … Read more

Preferred Building Materials for the Rich?

What building materials do the rich typically use to build their homes? And likewise, what materials would you choose if you had nearly unlimited financial resources? Wood paneling or sheet rock? Granite and marble counters or plastic laminate? Wood, tile and stone floors or vinyl? Berber wool rugs or synthetic? Wood shakes, tile, slate and … Read more

April 1-6, 2011 Earthbag Workshop in Thailand

Another earthbag workshop is being offered this year in Sakon Nakhon, Thailand. This six day, $500 workshop includes an excellent hotel, and transport to and from the work site. Last year’s project was this earthbag roundhouse. This year’s project is a Cool Pantry that is designed for keeping food cool without electricity (although we will … Read more

Earthbag Engineering

I recommend Precision Structural Engineering at Structure1.com for anyone needing engineering on their earthbag home or other buildings. Engineering is available for seismic and non-seismic areas. Precision Structural Engineering is a leader in the green building movement. They developed the first code approved earthbag building system that’s suitable for most any design.