Earth, Wood and Sun – Natural Building, Local Style
“When we are able to successfully work with local ecologies to meet our needs, we do the Earth a better service. And we are becoming empowered in our own lives.”
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Gabion Band Stone Construction
Special thanks to Randolph Langenbach who sent me this information on rebuilding rural stone houses in earthquake zones with gabion bands. The basic concept uses ring beams of stones wrapped in strong mesh to tie the masonry walls together.
Continue reading →Reader Questions: How to Build in Walsenburg, Colorado
Hello. I’m looking to build a house in Walsenburg Colorado (6,171 ft. elevation). There are several natural/alternative techniques that I am considering:(straw bale. earth bag. sip’s. ICF. aac.) I am wondering which one of these would get the highest overall … Continue reading →
Energy Globe Award for Haiti 2014
As Haitians continue building with alternative materials, straw wattle projects near Gonaives received international recognition with an Energy Globe award this year! At the award ceremony in New York City Patti Stouter met Carline Seide-Murphy, three-time winner of the award … Continue reading →
Rural Studio 20K Roundwood House
“The 2007/2008 Thesis year at Rural Studio was charged with designing the “20K House”. This project is based on a government loan known as the Section 502 Mutual Self-Help Housing loan. This is a subsidized loan created to help those … Continue reading →
Laurie Baker: Poor Man’s Architect
“A biography of inspiring British-origin Indian architect Laurie Baker who pioneered cost-effective energy efficient beautiful and simple architecture in India in mud brick and local materials… after meeting Gandhiji he decided to stay in India and build for the masses.
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