The Love & Haiti Project

The Love & Haiti Project provides a curriculum for sustainable living solutions to Haiti. In May 2011, we will be certifying Haitian students in Permaculture and training locals in Superadobe while building community structures with this technique around the island. The Love & Haiti Project’s mission is to provide the people of Haiti a safe, … Read more

10 Ways to Save Money Building a New House

With the vast majority of people unable to afford a contractor-built and code-approved home (over 70% in the U.S.), we must look for alternative solutions to lower the cost of construction. Ideally, these lower-cost solutions also reduce energy costs, cause less harm to the environment and cut long term maintenance. Here are 10 simple ways … Read more

My Top 10 Most Popular YouTube Videos

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then a video is worth… Maybe that’s why my NaturalHouse YouTube channel is so popular. 2. Finished Earthbag Roundhouse 3. Cement Plastering 4. Building an Earthbag Dome 5. Hardness Test 6. Enviro Dome Fly-through 7. $300 Earthbag House 8. How to Make Square Corners 9. Bag Size 10. … Read more

The Housing Revolution Manifesto

“The quick summary: – Housing in the developing world is often dangerous (especially in earthquakes), climatically inappropriate, toxic, wasteful of energy and water, bad for the people who live in it, the people who build it and for the planet at large. This is not about poverty — rich, poor and middle class alike all … Read more

Forging the Next Generation of Natural Designers and Builders

A lot of people agree that the current system is broken and in need of new solutions, whether it’s the educational system, government or how to obtain affordable, decent housing. Inspired by sites such as UnCollege, and alternative systems such as distance learning, mentoring, apprenticeships, WWOOF, internships and volunteering, I’m exploring how to create the … Read more

Natural Building Tour of Eco-Friendly Affordable Homes

A growing number of people are disillusioned with conventional housing made of 2x4s and sheetrock (the way most homes in North America are built). These homes are filled with materials such as particleboard, plywood, plastic, linoleum, and synthetic carpet and paint that contain known carcinogens and allergens. These man-made materials offgas toxic chemicals such as … Read more