More about Embodied Carbon of Building Materials

Following on my last post about designing highly sustainable buildings, I would like to delve a bit deeper into why I think it is important to analyze the embodied carbon footprint of buildings. This video assembled by the Endeavour Center in Canada presents the facts very graphically and succinctly. And there are more resources available … Read more

Designing Highly-Sustainable Buildings

Earlier this month I participated in a webinar titled Designing Highly-Sustainable Buildings featuring the Sketchup software team, along with Sefaira, a plugin that calculates various aspects of energy use pertaining to the design. A representative from an architectural firm that uses the software explained how they go about their designing, which is mostly for commercial … Read more

Report from Natural Building Event in Moab

I’m standing on the Community Rebuilds campus. Today they’re hosting events for the Natural Building Conference, a gathering of those interested in construction using materials like straw bale, soil and lime mortar… which is being mixed now. Moab has a housing problem… like other tourist-orientated towns in the region. Amanda Jane Albert is an instructor … Read more

Owl Mountain – Earth Sheltered Log Framed House in Saskatchewan

Myk Brazier here – These are a few pics of the house we’ve been working on. I used Mike Oehler’s book as well as PAHS by John Hait (and a bunch of other stuff). But it’s basically what you’re calling WOFATI. We mixed and poured our own concrete foundation. This house is being built by … Read more

Dig it! Building Bound to the Ground

Dig it! Building Bound to the Ground  is a new publication written by Dutch architect  Bjarne Mastenbroek, with photos by Iwan Baan. The book looks at over 500 case studies, from African churches chiselled in rock, to underground Chinese housing and overgrown Parisian housing. Its aim is to highlight the eco-conscious practices and green infrastructures … Read more

An Old Stone Schoolhouse in Wales Converted to a Home

This former school house located in Wye Valley, one of Wales’ most stunning, landmark locations, is a great lesson in how to transform a period property from a practical former life into a welcoming and wonderful home. As well as the breathtaking scenery, the village is the site of one of the UK’s most iconic … Read more