John’s Earthbag House

John’s earthbag house in Argentina
John’s earthbag house in Argentina

People are dreaming of a better world with homes made of natural materials.

“Argentina is an ideal land to create a radical shift in how homes are built and how we live as a society. Once out of the city, building codes dissolve and one is free to design and build to heart’s content. Here in the sierras land is abundant. I’d love to see some of your designs or hear more about your story.

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Earthbag Social Housing – Carrancas, Brazil

Carrancas hyperadobe eco-council house
Carrancas hyperadobe eco-council house

“This construction project was on invitation from the local council in Carrancas, (Minas Gerais, Brazil) to offer a prototype for an eco and low cost solution to social housing. It was a three-month project which was received with much attention and enthusiasm from the community and council, and has been well-loved since by its occupants.”

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Building Stuff, Eco-Style

Raising the roof at Erin is Building Stuff Blog
Raising the roof at Erin is Building Stuff Blog

“First, let me introduce myself, for those of you who may have just stumbled upon this blog somehow. My name is Erin Finsel. I’m 19 and am just beginning my summer break before my Sophomore year at Berea College. I don’t know for sure, but I think I will be an independent Sustainability and Environmental Studies (SENS- I don’t know where the N comes from) major. My ultimate goal (as of right now) is to have a house, a garden, maybe a few chickens and a really nice cat.

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Compact Living

The cosy seating corner/manual office. Here I have most things I need at my fingertips in the carousel and drawers.
The cosy seating corner/manual office. Here I have most things I need at my fingertips in the carousel and drawers.

You know you have achieved perfection in design, not when you have nothing more to add, but when you have nothing more to take away. Antoine de Saint-Exupery

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Low Cost, Beautiful Water Features

Small ponds and other water features for any budget (this one was made with a plastic watering trough)
Small ponds and other water features for any budget (this one was made with a plastic watering trough)

These luxurious fountains can be added to your home at extremely low cost if you use natural materials such as stone, driftwood and plants, and do the work yourself (DIY). Get creative with recycled materials such as chipped pots from yard sales and you could slash the cost to almost free.

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