EcoNest Homes

Today’s post profiles another leading natural home builder – EcoNest Homes. They’re well known for their finely crafted timberframe and straw/clay construction. “EcoNest is… the name we have given to our holistically designed and hand-crafted natural homes. An EcoNest incorporates timber-frame, straw-clay walls, earth plasters and natural and non-toxic finishes. This combination of time-honored building … Read more

Micro-homesteading in WA with 10K microhome (84 sq ft)


“Dee Williams used to live in a 2,000-square-foot, 3-bedroom home. Then she traveled to Guatelama (to help build a schoolhouse) and when she came home her house felt too big so built herself a home that fit. That turned out to be a 84-square-foot foot home on wheels that cost her $10,000: $5000 for the materials (mostly salvaged) and the other half for the solar panels and low-E (low thermals emissivity) windows.”

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Casa de Tierra

Casita Melanie earthbag house in Nicaragua
Casita Melanie earthbag house in Nicaragua

“In April 2011, Casa de Tierra broke ground for a guest house on client Melanie Hamilton’s land in San Juan del Sur. Melanie has visited Nicaragua many times over the past decade, and was ready to lay down roots, and build an ecologically-friendly home.

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Paja Construction

Kent Potter's strawbale house by Paja Construction
Kent Potter’s strawbale house by Paja Construction
Kent Potter’s strawbale house by Paja Construction
Many readers may not be aware of all the companies who have pioneered the natural building movement and have built up vast experience in the field. Someone new to the subject might think the ideas we talk about are fringe or experimental or untested simply because they’re not aware of how many companies there are and how many structures have been built this way. So, I’ve decided to start profiling some leading natural building companies. Send me a link if you have a suggestion. (We are not being remunerated in any way for these company profiles.)

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Charlie and Meg’s Roundhouse Facebook Page

Charlie and Meg’s roundhouse under construction
Charlie and Meg’s roundhouse under construction

Note from Charlie and Meg whose house is being threatened with demolition by building authorities:
“Hi, just a quick update for all the folk asking what the latest news is. Currently we’re still living in the house and waiting on a decision from Pembrokeshire County Council regarding our retrospective application. We’re feeling fairly confident that everything will be o.k in the end. We’ll update everyone, as soon as we hear anything. These kind of things have been known to drag on for years… in the mean time, life goes on. Thanks for all the words of support! Bless up and get building.”

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