http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm-SHU1fN3c&feature=related Vane Bennett from Vibez International, teaches in Baltimore, Virginia, and Jamaica, and collaborates with Scott Howard of Earthen Hand. “Vibez International is hosting a marvelous 7 day earthbag building workshop in Jamaica West Indies (July 14th-21st). The location for this project is in Sheffield, Westmoreland, 7 minutes inland of Jamaica’s West coast. We will … Read more
“Educational Facility and Eco-Retreat Natural Building varies based on climate, ecology, and geology of the region. Not all methods are appropriate for all locations. Here in the mid-southeast, we have a plethora of materials that we can put to work to create beautiful, healthy, and comfortable buildings that have much less environmental impact than other … Read more
“Pilot project using rammed earth grain sacks. Brand new polyethelene bags (grain sacks) and tubes are filled with adobe dirt and pounded into rock hard “adobe bricks” to make structural walls for buildings and fences. Our first building experience with this style of construction was accomplished by building a kitchen to compliment the tire house … Read more
A new Shelters for All affordable housing contest started November 15, 2011. They’re seeking 700-1,100 sq. ft. one story house designs for the poorest in urban areas. I’d like to enter the contest and now I’m racking my brain trying to figure out what house design to use. It takes a lot of time and … Read more
Cordwood building is practical where there’s sufficient supply of rot resistant wood. Most areas don’t have an adequate supply of wood like this available, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative and use cordwood in small areas. If all the walls are plastered, it gets a little boring. Cordwood, stone and bottles add some … Read more
I’ve known about bottle walls for a number of years, but I didn’t pay much attention because most bottle walls use a lot of cement and because earthbag walls are superior in a number of ways. Up until today I favored bottle walls primarily for decoration. (See Bottle Walls and Bottle Wall Details.) My opinion … Read more