Humans have been living together in communities for a very long time, but modern communal living takes on distinct forms, necessitated by the different pressures and demands of our industrialized lives. Communal living can be an effective way to reduce your household rent and utility bills. This kind of communal living is often practiced by … Read more
Ankit, a 32-year-old former journalist from Jaipur, India, set out on a cycle mission to transform India’s villages into ecologically sustainable communities. For nearly four years, he has covered half the country—cycling across 15 states and 8 Union Territories in India. Along with teaching sustainable living he teaches the means for earning a living through … Read more
Located in Atlanta, the first two tree houses are made from reclaimed materials. The hideaway rustic cabins are connected by a rope bridge. The houses were designed as a secluded spot to escape the hustle and bustle. The first cabin serves as a living room with a cosy seating area, while the other cabin houses … Read more
My last blog post was about a free online version of Making Better Building by Chris Magwood. In reading through some of his introductory comments about foundations, I came across this statement: “In much of North America, foundations have been twinned with conditioned, subgrade living space: the basement. In many markets, having a basement is … Read more
Chris Magwood’s classic book, Making Better Buildings, is now available for free online! This is a comparative guide to sustainable construction for homeowners and contractors. It is also a masterpiece of research and experience folded into an encyclopedic reference book for anyone interested in sustainable approaches to our built environment. Clearly a labor of love … Read more
For over 25 years, The Last Straw journal was dedicated to natural building and ecological design. It was started as a collective effort by straw bale builders Matts Myrhman and Judy Knox in Tuscon, Arizona in 1993. Since then twenty four editors, three publishers, and countless contributors have continued the long conversation about alternative ways … Read more