This is a call for assistance from a librarian who can help find a book on how to make do-it-yourself soil stabilizers for natural home builders. About two years ago I published a blog post titled DIY Soil Stabilizer Recipe that has received quite a few comments. Now it’s time to take things to the next level.
DIY
Free CASBA Straw Bale Journals 2007-2012
Free journals published by the California Straw Building Association are available on their website as PDF downloads. Only issues from 2007-2012 are available at this time. I’m not sure if the journal is still published. The issues I looked at are quite good. To give you an idea of the content, the first article in the list is titled ‘Straw Bale House Designed by CASBA Members Arkin Tilt Architects Wins Fine Homebuilding Magazine’s “Best New Home” of 2012’.
Safido Interlocking Brick Machine
Compressed Earth Blocks (CEBs), also called earth blocks or CSEBs is one of the most popular natural building methods in part because bricks are well accepted and understood by builders, and because the walls go up fairly quickly. Thin walls take up minimal space in urban areas where lots are small and expensive. Interlocking bricks add stability. And, of course, the main material is clay which is dirt cheap.
Living Simply in a Tiny Off Grid Cabin
Simple living is a topic that needs to be explored more in-depth on our Natural Building Blog. This lovely couple shares their experiences living a simple, sustainable, off grid life in a small home. Their advice applies to natural builders and homesteaders in general. Note the earthbag dome at 3:42.
Dick Proenneke Cabin – Twin Lakes, Alaska
Take a lovely tour with breathtaking scenery of one of the most famous cabins in the world. Proenneke has been an inspiration to a generation of natural builders who want to build affordable housing with low cost, local natural resources.
Micro Earthbag Homes
Email from one of our readers: “Hello, I have been researching your methods and website for sometime now. I first was introduced through your YouTube video building an earthbag home for $300. I was wondering if you could give me some advice on how to build that micro home using your method. I would deeply appreciate your advice so I can build a place for me and my family.”