green building – Page 29 – Natural Building Blog

Uncommon Good Whole Earth Building

June 3, 2022March 11, 2013 by Owen Geiger

Uncommon Good Greenspace in Claremont, CA - LA County) — Uncommon Good Greenspace in Claremont, CA – LA County)

Architect – Claremont Environmental Design Group (CEDG)
Contractor – Oasis Design and Construction
Earthbag/Vault Builder/Consultant – United Earth Builders (UEB)

“Though Uncommon Good is a human services organization, we realize that helping the poor and saving the planet have become inseparable tasks. For when resources are scarce, or environmental disasters occur, it is the poor who suffer first and worst. Therefore, we want to set an example of caring for the environment and caring for each other in the way that we house and operate our organization.

Best Places to Live in Rural America

June 3, 2022March 9, 2013 by Owen Geiger

The cost of building a sustainable home is much higher in urban areas due to the stricter building codes, zoning and other housing regulations. Many readers dream of a simpler, healthier life in rural areas where there are few or no building codes and costs are far lower. But where’s the best place to live? Here are some lists to consider. You could compare the different lists and look for areas that are recommended most often. Everyone has different needs, however, and so you have to work out your priorities. Are you after the lowest cost land? Rural areas with jobs and growth potential? Rural areas with good weather? Minimal pollution? Lakefront land? Outdoor recreation? Good soil for gardening? Lowest taxes? Rural areas with like-minded people? The final choice will likely be based on some balance between these and other factors. Happy hunting.

Ferro-cement Dream House

June 3, 2022March 6, 2013 by Owen Geiger

“A friends hand built ferro cement dome house complete with roof top hot tub, heated by an internal pizza oven. Located well off the beaten track in the Far North of New Zealand.”

Free Economizer PDF Plans Now Available

June 3, 2022March 5, 2013 by Owen Geiger

Complete plans now available as a downloadable PDF. This PDF was actually finished about six months ago but somehow never got uploaded to our Free Plans page. Dozens of people wrote for the free plans. I mistakenly sent them to the preview page, which doesn’t have all the plans. Plus, the preview page had my old email address. (My new address is at the top of the page under About Us.) Sorry for the mix-up.

Video: Canadian Earthbag House

June 3, 2022March 4, 2013 by Owen Geiger

Here’s one of the bigger houses built using the earthbag method.

Konbit Shelter Houses

June 3, 2022March 3, 2013 by Owen Geiger

Earthquake resistant earthbag house in Barriere Jeudi, Haiti

“In the summer of 2010, Konbit Shelter partnered with the Mango Grower’s Association of Leogane, in the village of Bigones, Barrier Jeudi, to create a multi room community center. We returned in December to construct a one family house. By sourcing all materials within Haiti, and raising money to hire a crew of builders from the community, we are able to bring the kind of assistance that promotes the local economy, creates jobs, and builds valuable skill sets.