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
Penny Livingston-Stark is a designer and professor of permaculture who has worked for 25 years in the field of regenerative design based on non-toxic natural materials. She insists on the compatibility between bamboo and earth. Their similarities and differences help them to integrate remarkably well. “Earth and bamboo are not compatible with plastic vapor barriers … Read more
Researchers from Newcastle University have crafted a new bio-based material called “mycocrete”. Using mycelium combined with additional natural materials, the team can grow a tightly wound substrate stronger than previous mycelium materials. The knitted design can create 3D shapes without seams or waste. “Our ambition is to transform the look, feel, and well-being of architectural … Read more
If you go to strawbale.com you can download a free subscription to “16 Essential Steps to Straw Bale Success” e-course. For over two weeks you’ll receive a daily and information-packed lesson about straw bale construction in your inbox. Over 50,000 people have read it so far! Everything from Design, Choosing Best Bales, Creating Custom Bales, Creating Niches, Prep … Read more
At fifty-one, Hal Hinkle was winding down a successful career on Wall Street and he was trying to figure out how to spend his retirement. He owned some property in Oregon, and launching an initiative to reforest the area seemed like a great way to reduce America’s carbon footprint. He recruited volunteers and sponsors for … Read more
Iceland’s first building made from hempcrete was designed by Lúdika Architects and was funded by several grants. Given the size and height limitations of this BioBuilding project, Lúdika drew inspiration from the philosophy of Japanese tea houses, which emphasize craftsmanship, are often made of natural materials, and are very small. It is only 15 square … Read more