This is one of the best videos I’ve seen in a while. Jon Jondai does an excellent job of weaving together the importance of natural building and creating a happy life. It’s well worth turning up the volume a little and listening carefully.
Introduction
Wholewoods Natural Buildings
“A celebration of wood, art, and craftsmanship. See us on Channel 4 this summer working with Kevin McCloud on his latest project and at Grand Designs Live in London May 5th.
Wholewoods is an ethical business supporting traditional woodland crafts and sustainable woodland management.
Creating natural buildings is a skill we have passionately honed over many years. We take regular commissions but also specialise in using the building process as a way of bringing people together to learn. Whether this be a local community group, school children, members of staff or volunteers, all can have a chance to get their hands dirty by working with us.
Roundwood Open Web Joists
Inspired by projects such as William Castle’s house, featured on our blog yesterday, I set out to design an open web joist using small diameter poles for non-code areas. It’s not as shiny and elegant as manufactured brands, but hey, who can argue with the cost? These trusses would cost just a few dollars apiece if you have a good source of poles. In parts of the U.S., and probably other countries, the poles you would need are practically free. Small trees like this are thinned out to reduce fires and help larger trees reach marketable size. You could use scrap metal for tie plates and cut the cost in half. Barter for a can of screws and you’re talking really dirt cheap.
Build a Home for $10,000 in 10 Days!
These are the type of stories I enjoy most, and what makes Mother Earth News such an incredible resource. In this example, a natural builder has devised a faster, easier timber framing method that looks incredibly practical. The article provides enough details to put the information to use (although more and larger size pics would have been nice).
“The modified timber-framing method William Castle has developed lets him quickly and easily turn this low-cost, local resource into beautiful houses, such as his daughter’s cabin (see the Image Gallery). The shell of the 1,000-square-foot house was built over an existing foundation by a crew of three to four adults and two children in less than 10 days — for less than $10,000!
Weaving Barbed Wire Corners
Guest post by Patti Stouter about another low tech way to reinforce corners in earthquake zones. More methods are explained at EarthbagStructures.com:
“Corners are one of the most vulnerable parts of buildings in earthquakes. Straight wall earthbag construction has not yet been tested on a shake table or in a severe quake. It may absorb vibrations, but we don’t know for sure yet. Builders need to exercise all caution and build well to save lives.
Tree Root Furniture
More low cost furniture ideas for your sustainably built home. The least expensive, high quality furniture is typically made from free salvaged/recycled materials like pallets and barnwood, and free natural materials such as branches, twisted wood, stumps and tree roots that most logging companies leave behind. Tree root furniture is strikingly beautiful because its twisted, rustic shape is 100% natural and unique. You could pay hundreds of dollars or even way more for this incredible furniture at a boutique store downtown. Or you could put on your hiking boots and head for the forest to gather your own tree roots for free. Either way, you’ll end up with a one of a kind piece that could last for centuries. And unlike that pressed board crap, this stuff is super strong and doesn’t offgas formaldehyde.