Grassroot Movement in Nepal (GMIN): Earthbag School

The final finished structure of the two room earthbag school in Nepal. [The earthbag walls were] done in ten days by three paid labourers and 5-7 volunteers from the village.
The final finished structure of the two room earthbag school in Nepal. [The earthbag walls were] done in ten days by three paid labourers and 5-7 volunteers from the village.

GMIN has built about 21 schools so far in Nepal out of various materials such as adobe, stone and earthbags. Successful fundraising will enable them to build another 20.

“School #18, Ciuridara, Dang, Nepal
Our volunteer Bidya Bajracharya had surveyed this village last year but could not support them with the required two rooms as they did not have rocks nearby and their mud quality was not good enough to make mudbricks. But after meeting Peter Jensen, also a Denmark GMIN ambassador has come up with the solution of building with earthbags. With this earthbag style we can build even in the most remote areas where there are no rocks and poor quality mud.

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Thin Wall Earthbag — 10x Faster than Typical Earthbag

Other than the military, Gernot Mincke built the first earthbag houses in the 70s.
Other than the military, Gernot Mincke built the first earthbag houses in the 70s.

As many readers know, my passion is promoting very low cost housing that virtually anyone can afford. Earthbag is a natural option for housing the poor, however the thick walls take up a disproportionate amount of space on tiny urban lots such as in slums, and the hard work deters some. Thin walls have a lot of advantages. That’s one reason Dr. Anderton’s E-khaya housing system with narrow earthbag tubes caught my eye. I’m now considering how to adapt this basic method for wider use.

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Introduction to Earthbag Course in Joshua Tree, CA

United Earth Builders earthbag workshop in Joshua Tree, CA
United Earth Builders earthbag workshop in Joshua Tree, CA

Hello All! We are holding an Introduction to Earthbag Course in Joshua Tree, CA on the 25th of January at 9am-5pm. We will be giving basic information about the techniques, design, and creative properties that earthbag construction entails. Please join us if you can to enjoy the day (it’s always sunny in the desert.) Also see our links below to keep updated with what is going on in our neck of the desert; and sometimes woods.

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Luke’s Interview on Tiny House Chat Podcast

Owen,
“I’m being interviewed on January 20th at 8pm EST to share the basic benefits of earthbag building for Tiny House Chat’s podcast. I’m really excited about it. They mention that I’m from naturalbuildingblog.com, which I’m going to clear up that I’m just the measly ol’ social media manager. But I’m excited to share what I know about it & hopefully put a good face on for earthbag building. Just thought I’d let you know that was happening!” Here’s the link to the podcast.

The podcast will be posted to AnyMeeting.com
Luke

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Help Wanted on Kauai, Hawaii Music Studio Dome

“I am currently drawing up plans for a 15′ dome built on an 18″ high double buttressed stemwall using: Raschel Mesh Bags filled with native Oxisol soil, lime and Coconut Husk fibers woven between double strand barbwire atop a cement foundation. I have done numerous soil tests and I am very very pleased with the … Read more

Happy 6th Anniversary

It’s been another great year. Lots of good things happening. It’s been particularly exciting for me to see our homestead take shape so quickly. We’re on course to finish everything in one year. And it’s been another record breaking year for blog readership. There’s been a steady increase in viewership month by month. A big … Read more