Maybe we can learn something from the Amish. Amish businesses on average are 95% successful, while US businesses in general have an 85% failure rate. The Amish seem to understand the difference between practical knowledge and academic knowledge. Even though the Amish go against almost all conventional business advice (no computer skills, no degrees or advanced business marketing plans, etc.), their success speaks for itself.
Javier Senosiain – Organic Architecture
The organic house is born with the idea of creating an area adapted for man, according to his environmental, physical and psychological needs.
Aranya Housing Project, India
Traditionally, architects have contributed little to housing for the Third World urban poor. Those who opt to work for the poor need to rethink their roles; the numbers are overwhelming, the issues complex and the resources are very limited. One solution is to use land as a resource to produce housing for the urban poor, by allowing them access to it to build their homes. A study was conducted of such initiatives in a case study in India: The Aranya Housing Project, completed in 1988 and considered a model project.
Top Architecture Prize Goes to Low-Cost Housing Pioneer From India
Balkrishna Doshi, the winner of this year’s Pritzker Prize for architecture doesn’t talk just about his buildings. This architect, urban planner and educator talks about how his buildings aim to foster a sense of community, how space can promote inner peace, how cities can contribute to the health of a society.
Migrating Culture Earthbag Chalet
Sometimes I go back and research previous projects to see if there’s any news. I was pleasantly surprised to see the NGO Migrating Culture making excellent progress in Ghana. Earlier we profiled their Mahali Project. Since then they’re gone on to build other projects include this very nice modern earthbag home called the Aseseeso Project. You can see a slideshow of the entire build.
Swale Paths for Permaculture Gardens
“A swale is a ditch dug on contour. This means that water is not draining in one direction — instead it spreads evenly across the slope and sinks into the soil. Traditionally, the earth that is dug out is placed on the downhill side and planted out with a mixture of perennial and annual crops (but always perennial to ensure that the earth is stabilized with good long-term root structure).”