I just received this email from DJ Rankin of www.unshelteredearth.com: First off I’ve got to express how grateful I am for the immense amount of invaluable information and resources you’ve put together; this project would not be what it is without the research I’ve been able to do through your site. I wanted to share … Read more
Food forests are gaining popularity in many urban areas, including Los Angeles. These are edible gardens made up of many different species, and grown with minimal intervention. A food forest mimics a forest edge that is planted with edible perennial plants. They include tall trees, small trees, shrubs, herbs, and ground cover. Sometimes vines grow … Read more
“It’s an earth-sheltered home. Not necessarily built into the ground, but it’s earth-covered on the roof and on a couple of sides,” explains Jennifer Rios, the listing agent for a house in Madison, WI. “It’s in a kind of older neighborhood, with typical mid-century homes and older.” “We went into it not really knowing what … Read more
Someone who calls himself “Earthbag Hero” made this comment on my blog post several days ago where I outlined a discussion I led about underground building: 5 years ago I was researching all these issues and finding solutions for the bermed earthbag dwelling I’ve been working on for the last 4 years. Now the building … Read more
Last year the folks at Vide Terra in Italy built an earthbag dome and decided to experiment with a thatched roof without a wood frame. Reed, bracken, cane thatching and experimental broom thatching, were directly attached to the dome. They used an unusual plant for thatching that is very invasive, local and abundant in all … Read more
Spartan Giordano was 28 years old when he designed and started building a zero fossil fuel energy home In Greenfield, Massachusetts. Two years later he and his partner Hannah got the occupancy permit on the very day their son, Max, was born. Nine years later Hannah and Spartan have a 2½-year-old daughter and Spartan has … Read more