From Temperate Climate Permaculture: “If you read my article on building an intentional community, you’ll see that I am strongly recommending bypassing the traditional mortgage path and promoting build-it-yourself, alternative housing. I have shared a few posts on some of the alternative housing options, but I thought it would be fun to give a brief overview of the more common (of the overall uncommon) alternative housing options that are available today.
DIY
The Cabin Stove – A Small Masonry Heater at Aprovecho Research Center
“The challenge of the design of the Cabin Stove was to come up with something that was very compact but also still resembled and functioned like a masonry heater. The design criteria included heating the small space, an efficient and clean fire, utility for cooking, heating water, combining some quick/immediate-release heat with slower retained radiated heat, relative ease of construction, not too expensive, aesthetically pleasing, and being as compact in size as possible. A very interesting process to try to combine all of these together.”
Localized Food for Sustainable Communities
“People like you want fresh, local food, so we are building the ultimate high performance sustainability hubs, starting in Pocatello, Idaho. Powered by the people, we give straight back to make strong self-reliant, communities. With your help we are laying the foundation for a sustainable future around the world.
Song Weaver’s Florida Earthbag Home
Luke, a long time supporter of earthbag building and the guy who set up our Facebook page, sent me this suggestion. We’ve had a lot of requests for information about building earthbag homes in Florida.
The Mud Home: Earthbag Foundations
“There will be many who refuse to believe this will work. What no concrete? Will be their never-ending refrain.
Concrete foundations have been around for less than a hundred years. Buildings have been built for millennia. In the eastern Mediterranean it’s common to see structures still standing over 2000 years after they were built, without a drop of concrete.
Researcher Improves Ancient Water Treatment Technology
Water Treatment with Biochar from Josh Kearns on Vimeo.
“New research into an ancient water filtration technology may provide those living in isolated, rural communities with low-cost, sustainable water treatment.