In Europe dry stone walls are an indelible part of the landscape. In the U.K. alone, there are an estimated 74,000 miles of stone walls, all built without mortar or rebar. Landscape designer Christa Moné in Forestville, California first became aware of these ancient structures when she was living and working in France. “I helped … Read more
The Fab Tree Hab is a grafted living tree structure intended to be shared by people and animals. It combines tree-grafting techniques with cross-laminated timber arch scaffolds. The goal is for a dwelling seamlessly integrated into its natural landscape and to replace harmful industrial materials with durable, bio-based alternatives. Foundation elements use almost no concrete … Read more
Amid the challenging times brought about by the Covid pandemic, Basanta Shrestha and his wife undertook a unique journey to build their dream house. “Building our house during the pandemic was a transformative experience. Our decision to use rammed earth and repurposed materials was a conscious effort to harmonize with nature and reduce our impact … Read more
I usually avoid posting about projects that involve the use of lots of cement, but this underground homestead has many other features that are worth exploring. When Al Schwarz moved from upstate NY near Dallas, TX, he wanted a home with low energy bills and protection from extreme weather, so he dug into a hillside, … Read more
An area of about 200 acres In Huanggang City, China, has 13 wooden houses scattered around. This project is part of the Wiki World Co-Building Plan that is building a series of unique natural homes in nature. They designed and built 6 different types of cabins, combining location selection and exploration of living possibilities. It … Read more
This substantial old stone barn converted to a home has had many chapters in its long life and much of it is revealed by the building itself. The history goes back, in part, to medieval times and the interiors combine the past with the present. The late medieval origins for the building are indicated by … Read more