Archaeologists in southeastern Turkey have unearthed a vast underground city that was built almost 2,000 years ago and could have been home to up to 70,000 people. The subterranean complex may have been a space that early Christians used to escape Roman persecution. The first underground chambers of the ancient complex were found about two … Read more
The manufacture of concrete, steel, and glass uses vast amounts of raw materials and water and emits copious amounts of greenhouse gases per year. A staggering 8% of total global carbon dioxide emissions come from cement manufacture alone. Moreover, embodied carbon, which is carbon released over the entire life cycle of a building, including end-of-life … Read more
James Reid and Rosa Bevan hope to inspire other budding farmers after living off their own land for the last ten years. Tap O’ Noth farm in Scotland produces ecologically grown fruit and vegetables on their eight-acre site, as well as housing chickens, geese and a small herd of dairy goats. They practice permaculture which … Read more
Building with reclaimed wood re-uses old wood recovered from a variety of sources. It is usually taken from existing structures like old barns or homes in the process of being demolished, but it can also be taken from gym bleachers, wine casks, shipyards, shipping materials, and many other sources. Using reclaimed wood can be a … Read more
In this video you can visit Melliodora, the home of David Holmgren and Su Dennett in Victoria, Australia. David is the co-originator of the permaculture concept and this tour offers an insight into how he and Su have designed their home and gardens according to permaculture design principles. You can tour through the four zones … Read more
Here is a collection of some of the oldest buildings in the United States. It is interesting to notice that virtually all of them could be considered “natural buildings” made from local natural materials. This speaks to the longevity of natural building techniques! Originally constructed in Ardmore, Alabama in 1808 before being restored at to … Read more