Hemp mixed with lime can create a low-carbon, more climate friendly building material than concrete. “There’s an enormous growth potential in the US for hemp fiber used for building and insulation,” said Kaja Kühl, founder of youarethecity, a design and building practice. “Hemp was only legalized in 2018, but now industrial hemp is following the … Read more
Seaweed has been used in constructing buildings since the the ancient Greeks, who used the material as wall insulation. They would fill wooden frames with seaweed and cover them with plaster or clay in order to keep their homes warm. Also Danish people would use seaweed in home construction, and 20 houses from the Viking … Read more
In the heart of Croatia stretches a network of kilometers-long dry stone walls and magnificent stone huts—using stones without any binding material. The significance of these walls is more than just as structures. For instance, in vineyards people can live for months during the cultivation process or while tending to livestock. Stone by stone, these … Read more
There are several benefits to deconstruction versus mechanical demolition: environmental benefits, historical preservation and job creation are the big three. Shawn Wood, a construction waste specialist for the city of Portland, Oregon shares how its deconstruction ordinance came about. Wood said around 2013-2014 the country was coming out of a recession, and the city saw … Read more
This video follows the story of people and organizations in the Balkans that work with mud and youth. The also, explores people’s connection to the land, which is expressed through centuries-old practices of building houses from natural materials. The film crew visited inspiring projects, communities and families throughout the Balkans and exchanged experiences with them … Read more
My friend B Sitkin recently uploaded this video he and his wife made many years ago at City of the Sun in Southern New Mexico. It documents many of the key events at the Build-a-thon and Symposium and features a number of my friends and fellow builders from that time. This event followed on the … Read more