Natural Building: A Guide to Materials and Techniques
Natural building involves construction with materials that have undergone less processing and manufacturing than conventional synthetic products. Wherever possible, the natural materials that are used are renewable, originating from crops, and are obtained locally. Transport, pollution, carbon emissions, and fossil fuel use are therefore minimized and the end-product is harmonious, healthy, and environmentally beneficial. This book describes the many materials and methods that have been used by the pioneers of natural building; discusses the reasons why various materials have been chosen and frankly explains their advantages and disadvantages; provides a detailed consideration of all the main forms of natural construction, including building with earth, timber, and straw bales; and covers green and natural roofs, lime and masonry, and the use of hemp, as well as natural insulation materials, paints, and finishes. It thoroughly examines all the techniques involved, and analyzes the principles of green building and the issues involved in planning and regulatory approvals. It is lavishly illustrated with more than 220 color photographs and diagrams.
green building
Mudgirls
“Mudgirls will descend on your place like Muddy Superheros to create inexpensive, beautiful and nearly carbon-neutral homes and other structures
The future is now. Hire the Mudgirls to build your sustainable home.
April Magill Interview: Architect Willing to Stamp Natural Building Plans
April Magill, a licensed architect in South Carolina, is willing to stamp construction plans for natural buildings as well as for conventional buildings. I believe April is the first architect to offer this service – to stamp plans for multiple types of natural buildings, not just one or two types. Imagine the changes that would happen if someone did this for each state. This one act of courage and love by April Magill could usher in profound changes very quickly. With this realization, I immediately wrote her and asked for an interview.
Bajareque Wall
Here’s a low cost, 100% all natural wall building method. Homes built with this traditional Guatemalan building method can last up to 500 years and endure earthquakes.
Adobe Windmills
“I have recently been in correspondence with an Iranian researcher, Mostafa Aref haghi, who has chronicled a tradition in Iran of building adobe windmills. At first I thought that it was virtually impossible to build a windmill using adobe. But then as I studied the material that he sent I came to realize that yes, indeed, it is possible to build a windmill using adobe!
Urbanite Patio and Steps
There are lots of uses for free chunks of broken concrete, also known as urbanite or urbancrete. This particular project by Danielle at Earthen Acres caught my eye. A series of photos on her site shows how they built it. She and her friends also built their foundation out of urbanite.