Forest Fire Destroys Homes near Earthbag Home

Today’s post is from Eco Friendly Shelters. You know, it’s one thing to talk about the excellent fire resistance of earthbag structures in the abstract, but I’m sure living through a forest fire would be much different — possibly life changing. As bad as these experiences are, they get people thinking really hard about what … Read more

Instructable: Insulated Earthbag Foundations for Yurts

This Instructable includes complete step-by-step instructions on how to make an insulated earthbag foundation. You can use the same process to make insulated foundations for any type of structure – straw bale, earthbag, cordwood, etc. Yurts or gers are very efficient and practical in harsh, cold climates, as evidenced by centuries of use in Mongolia. … Read more

Instructable: How to Build an Insulated Earthbag House

Energy performance on most buildings can be improved with insulation, including those made of earth such as adobe and earthbag structures. Although most earthen structures are located in hot, dry climates, there is increasing demand for low-cost, eco-friendly earth building techniques in cold climates. This article explores four innovative methods for insulating earthbag buildings, which … Read more

UV-rated Bags

Earthbag projects that take more than a few weeks to build will need to be protected from the sun. You could cover walls with tarps or coat the bags or tubes with latex paint. Or you could order UV-rated bags or tubes that are specially coated to protect against sunlight. The higher the UV rating, … Read more

Mesh Tubing for Hyperadobe

I have been doing some further research into sources and qualities of  mesh tubing that  would be suitable for hyperadobe style earthbag construction. I feel that this innovation has so much merit that it should be pursued on several fronts, from further experimentation and documentation to eventual testing , engineering studies and code approval. Of … Read more

Rasin Foundation Medical Clinic

Construction has begun on a new clinic with environmentally friendly low cost earthbag construction at rural Petite-Riviere, Leogane, Haiti.  The new clinic will have four exam rooms (including a dental suite), a treatment/surgical room, nurses station, waiting room, storage and bathroom.  Completion will hopefully be in early 2011. The current makeshift clinic (seen as the metal … Read more