Fechin House

The Taos Art Museum and Fechin House in Taos, New Mexico is one of my favorite houses. World class artist Nicolai Fechin built the quintessential thick-walled adobe house for his family. It’s widely considered one of the best examples of southwest style architecture. You can stand at almost any place in the home, point your … Read more

Earthbag Lodge

Based on ancient Native American designs, this earthbag lodge with living roof will keep you cozy and warm even in the harshest climates, because it is compact, earth-sheltered, insulated and uses wood heat. South-facing windows and skylight over the kitchen ensure ample daylighting. It can be built for about $2,000 assuming wood poles are gathered … Read more

Earthbag Biogas Plant

This fascinating article was sent to me from Jeff Bousquet. Please send us any good articles you come across so we can share with others. Text below is from the Earthbag Bio Latrine website. What is Earth Bag Bio Latrine MINALI Model? This is the new toilet system which works as a biogas plant, which … Read more

Parallel Chord Pallet Trusses

If you have access to small diameter trees and wood pallets, and live in an area not restricted by building codes, then this truss design is one good low cost roof option. Small trees are rapidly renewable, and pallets are plentiful and often available for free. Pallet trusses are especially appealing where other sources of … Read more

How Much Wall Insulation Do I Need?

From time to time we answer reader’s questions. Jeff: We are looking at building a home on acreage in central north Michigan. It is extremely cold in the wintertime where we are looking. Would an earthbag home insulated with rice hulls (using 10″ tube sandbags on exterior of earthbag walls) be sufficient for that kind … Read more