An 18,000 Year Old Dwelling Made From Mammoth Bones

The archeological site of Mezhyrich, located in central Ukraine, is home to four remarkable mammoth bone structures. Ranging from 12 to 24 m2   (130 to 260 sf), they were intricately constructed using hundreds of mammoth bones and tusks. An analysis of small mammal remains recovered directly from the archaeological layers indicates that at least one … Read more

A Huge Stone Castle Built By One Stubborn Man

When people see the castle that Jim Bishop built for the first time, the reaction is almost always the same: How can a single man build a giant castle all by himself? The answer lies in decades of manual labor, creativity, and stubbornness. It all began in 1969, when he built a first room on … Read more

Pros and Cons of Cob Construction

Cob building is a method in which clay, sand, and plant fibers (usually straw) are mixed manually and molded directly in place. Unlike bricks, blocks, or concrete walls, cob doesn’t use forms, doesn’t require molding and allows for the creation of curved walls, niches, arches, built-in benches, round windows, and sculpted details. There are cob … Read more

Vintage Stone Malthouse in U.K.

Dating back to 1640 with later additions through the 1700s, this beautifully restored 5-bedroom property in Somerset, known as Malthouse, spans roughly 2,861 sq ft, with contemporary delights such as a summerhouse and a swimming pool. Beyond its classic stone façade and mullioned windows, The Malthouse’s interiors are steeped in character. Original architectural features — … Read more

Renovating a Decrepit Farm in Wales

While vacationing, Nicole and Gav decided they “might as well” view some smallholdings for sale to simply indulge in a dream they had long carried.  They were attracted to a 13-acre smallholding in west Wales, with a crumbling farmhouse and a yard full of derelict outbuildings. The couple immediately fell in love with it and … Read more