The most relevant reinterpretations of ancient construction today are those that do so in the interest of sustainability, renouncing high-energy modern construction methods in favor of older, more natural techniques. The ancient Egyptian Nubian vault is making a resurgence in Sahelian Africa. Population growth and rapid deforestation have made it difficult for people to continue … Read more
Emma lives in the wild woods of Wales, where she is close to nature , with no running water, electricity, or internet. For Emma, this way of life is all about building a closer relationship to nature while also creating a lifestyle where she is free of the pressures of the modern world. Her simple … Read more
This video shows a fellow building what he calls a studio out of mostly natural materials. There is no discussion or narration accompanying the video, so you have to watch to see how he goes about the project. The walls are primarily wattle and daub, using vertical bamboo poles stuck in the ground with some … Read more
Chinmay Pareek from Brzee Studio in India sent me some recent photos of how his project is progressing. We reported on this awhile ago in this post. This is an earthbag house in Jaipur that is surrounded by concrete and high rises in the main city. In addition to earthbags, they are using exposed stone, … Read more
This is a fun, ecological retreat house surrounded by trees in the United Kingdom. Much of the material used was recycled or gathered locally. You can find out more about Ravendere Retreats at ravendere.co.uk You can watch the video at www.youtube.com
Tom and Carol Ann Fisher are selling their longtime home in the environmentally conscious community on Melbourne’s northeastern fringe to downsize. They spent most of the 1980s building this with help from their neighbors. The Fishers handmade about 6000 mud bricks. They were laid by one of their neighbors, brickie-turned-historian and “local legend” Mick Woiwod, … Read more