architecture – Page 4 – Natural Building Blog

Cordwood Masonry Special Effects

June 3, 2022June 18, 2012 by Owen Geiger

“Here are just a few of the great variety of special effects that people have incorporated into their cordwood masonry. Go to our Book and Media page for a description of our CD on the subject with over 60 captioned images. How to make bottle-ends and special designs is included on the CD.” Source: Earthwood … Read more

Hybrid Homes

June 3, 2022June 13, 2012 by Owen Geiger

Hybrid home made with adobe and straw bales

“In a sense, virtually all buildings are hybrids of one sort or another. Most modern buildings employ a wide range of materials, some “natural” some not. A strawbale house, for instance, is most likely a hybrid of strawbales and conventional wood framing. Unless the building is a dome or vault, the roof is likely framed with wood or steel. Our domed home is a hybrid of earthbag and papercrete materials. I know of a fine circular home that was minimally framed with 2X4 studs and then strawbales set on their ends provided the insulation.

Natural Building Company

June 3, 2022June 10, 2012 by Owen Geiger

“The Natural Building Company builds beautiful, sustainable structures with natural materials.

We offer construction services for all kinds of project, from garden studios and home offices to community spaces and new build homes.

Four Good Natural Homes Websites

June 3, 2022June 9, 2012 by Owen Geiger

The Revolution Takes Us Home

Modern cob photo by Debbie Trelor Photography

This incredible site is a seemingly endless blog of amazing house photos. It’s similar to the tiny cabin site we featured a while back.
“the house shelters daydreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peace.” – Gaston Bachelard

Source: The revolution takes us home

The Natural Building Companion

June 3, 2022June 6, 2012 by Owen Geiger

“A State-of-the-Art Resource for Natural Builders that is a part of The Yestermorrow Design/Build Library and includes an instructional DVD.

Low Energy Buildings

June 3, 2022June 2, 2012 by Owen Geiger

Cross sectional drawing of St Lukes School. Source: Architype -- Ashden Award winner Architype is a UK based architectural practice which uses low energy building principles.

Ashden.org is one of my all time favorite sites. You can spend days researching their extensive website for award winning designs. This is top quality information, folks.

“Low energy buildings use passive techniques, such as optimal solar gain, and advanced active systems, such as mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, to create comfortable internal environments that have low energy demand and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Some low energy buildings use renewable energy generation to further reduce or eliminate their greenhouse gas emissions in use.

– Buildings account for about 45% of UK CO2 emissions.
– Good design can cut CO2 and energy bills by nearly two thirds.
– Incorporating renewable energy as well can give buildings that produce no net CO2 in use.