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
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
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 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
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
After spending years cycling around the world, Martijn Doolaard was ready for a more permanent home and he wanted something with a view. Remembering the rough beauty of the peaks of Dry from a bike trip, Doolaard discovered dozens of “dirt cheap” abandoned homes for sale and bought two at the top of a mountain … Read more