The Earth Building Academy in New Zealand

Verena Maeder is an earth building artisan with 32 years experience constructing earth buildings. She first fell in love with natural building as a teenager, but because of the lack of formal training opportunities in this field she decided to pursue an education in architecture as well as building biology and ecology. In 2002 she … Read more

Casa De Mi Luna in the Czech Republic Blends Many Natural Materials

Fusing local heritage and contemporary spatial dynamics, Casa De Mi Luna nestles into the scenic landscape of a nature reserve in the Czech Republic. Designed by Martin Zizka of Studio Circle Growth, the residence provides an idyllic retreat for an Argentinian-Czech family seeking respite from the bustle of Prague. The space blends with the region’s … Read more

Showcase of Natural Building at OUR Ecovillage

Freya’s House is an off-grid green building that showcases multiple natural building techniques from straw bale, cob, and rammed earth walls, to earthen floors, a green roof, and reclaimed, salvaged and locally sourced materials. It uses solar power for electricity, a legal composting toilet, and on-site greywater filtration. The house is located at O.U.R Ecovillage … Read more

A Hand-Crafted Swedish Style Home in California

A beautifully crafted home for sale in Bear Valley, California  looks like it belongs in Sweden. That’s where the dwelling’s owner got his inspiration for the 1,350-square-foot, one-bedroom, two-bath retreat. The home also includes two sleeping nooks in the living room, plus a large loft. In 1967, the seller—the late Dr. Johan Viking Hultin—bought the … Read more