Building with reclaimed wood re-uses old wood recovered from a variety of sources. It is usually taken from existing structures like old barns or homes in the process of being demolished, but it can also be taken from gym bleachers, wine casks, shipyards, shipping materials, and many other sources. Using reclaimed wood can be a … Read more
Minimalist housing, like tiny homes, van living, and container homes, has taken off in the past decade, in part due to the skyrocketing costs of home ownership that make traditional houses inaccessible to many people. Part of the appeal of container homes is that they are a chance to recycle old shipping containers, giving them … Read more
In this video you can visit Melliodora, the home of David Holmgren and Su Dennett in Victoria, Australia. David is the co-originator of the permaculture concept and this tour offers an insight into how he and Su have designed their home and gardens according to permaculture design principles. You can tour through the four zones … Read more
Rammed earth is an ancient building technique that’s had a resurgence with many green builders. The exterior walls are made of compacted soil which provides thick thermal mass that is fireproof and pest proof. The structure was designed by a Mexican architect who modeled it after the Roman-style central courtyard designs popular in many Latin … Read more
The Strawtegi CO2ttage broke ground in October, 2021, as the first permitted structure in the U.S. insulated with dense-packed chopped straw. This net-zero carbon, modular, straw panel Accessory Dwelling Unit in Salt Lake City, Utah, is the first demonstration project and test build of Strawtegi, Inc. The 650 square foot building demonstrates how we can … Read more
Here is a collection of some of the oldest buildings in the United States. It is interesting to notice that virtually all of them could be considered “natural buildings” made from local natural materials. This speaks to the longevity of natural building techniques! Originally constructed in Ardmore, Alabama in 1808 before being restored at to … Read more