Recycling Building Materials

Demolishing buildings is a $4 billion industry, with that number expected to rise. In 2010 an estimated 104 million tons of materials flowed from project sites creating nearly 40% of the nation’s annual solid-waste stream. In the UK, the construction industry accounts for 60% of all materials used, while also generating 45% of all CO2 … Read more

Bamboo and Rammed Earth Help Build Integrated Society

German architect Anna Heringer is very fond of rammed earth and its potential to replace the ubiquitous use of concrete. She feels that it can help reduce the dominance of lobbies and preserve and enrich local know-how, and thus transform construction into a tool for reducing inequalities. The Anandaloy Building, a center for people with … Read more

At Home with Natural Plasters

Michael Henry, who co-authored Essential Natural Plasters wrote an extensive article  titled At Home with Natural Plasters that was published in the current issue of Mother Earth News. He delves into a description of traditional techniques and why they are often superior to more modern wall treatments. The article features his own recipe for a … Read more

What’s a Colloquium?

I recently received the email quoted below from Matt Anderson. He writes about the new documentary that he has just released titled What’s a Colloquium? I watched the film and can heartily recommend that you watch it as well. Most of the video was shot during the last Natural Building Colloquium that I attended at … Read more

A Remarkable Tiny Home Village in Austin, Texas

Community First! Village is a beautiful 51-acre master-planned tiny home village providing affordable housing in a supportive community for the disabled, previously chronically homeless in Central Texas. It’s currently home to 200 individuals in tiny homes & RVs. As a way to invite the outside community in, they offer volunteer opportunities, events, and a bed … Read more