I’ve added a third entry in ‘The $300 House Open Design Challenge’. CEBs are popular and practical, and some of you may be thinking of using them for columns, next to wood stoves, interior walls or as a design element. They would make a great center column in a roundhouse. Geopolymer CEBs turn to actual … Read more
I thought you’d like to see Gernot Minke’s gallery. He’s one of the most experienced and knowledgeable earth builders around. His book Earth Construction Handbook: The Building Material Earth in Modern Architecture is the most in-depth, practical book for those who want engineering details. It will set you back $101 at Amazon. Check your local … Read more
From Wiki: “A disruptive technology or disruptive innovation is an innovation that disrupts an existing market. The term is used in business and technology literature to describe innovations that improve a product or service in ways that the market does not expect, typically by lowering price or designing for a different set of consumers.” In … Read more
Four of the top seven house designs at ‘The $300 House Open Design Challenge’ are currently earthbag houses. The ranking keeps changing, but that’s where it’s at right now. This is incredible. Of course I’ve known earthbag is growing in popularity, but to see it surge to this level is very exciting. In the screenshot … Read more
A previous post on basalt rebar explained the use of basalt as an alternative to steel and fiberglass for reinforcing concrete. It’s a natural product made from basalt, a common, inexpensive volcanic rock. Basalt is also used to make fibers and roving for construction purposes. Fibers can be mixed with concrete and plaster for added … Read more
My housing designs are now posted for ‘The $300 House Open Design Challenge’. I’ve submitted two proposals so far: $300 Earthbag House – What the World Needs Now, and the Stone Dome – $300 Geopolymer Earthbag Dome. There are lots of new drawings and details included. Please, please take a look, leave comments and rate … Read more