On the Road in India: American NGO workers build low cost houses in Madurai


Another media report about our earthbag project in India. We’ve managed to get in the newspaper or TV every day this week. Channel News7 Tamil said they will produce a half hour show very soon with full coverage of the meeting room that’s under construction. Once it’s completed, small groups will be able to meet around a conference table, watch digital presentations and enjoy snacks and beverages. This concept fits perfectly with Anna University’s emphasis on entrepreneurship and sustainable building.

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DIY Soil Stabilizer Recipe Part 2 – Call for Assistance

$300 Stone Dome housing design proposal is built with simple stabilized soil or geopolymer.
$300 Stone Dome housing design proposal is built with simple stabilized soil or geopolymer.

This is a call for assistance from a librarian who can help find a book on how to make do-it-yourself soil stabilizers for natural home builders. About two years ago I published a blog post titled DIY Soil Stabilizer Recipe that has received quite a few comments. Now it’s time to take things to the next level.

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Transitional Earthbag Shelters in Syria

UNHCR is building transitional earthbag shelters in Syria
UNHCR is building transitional earthbag shelters in Syria

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has launched a test project for temporary shelters made from bags filled with earth in Syria. The architect, Anas Aljbain, is using ARCHICAD to develop the designs.

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False Housing Dichotomy

Stealth cargo trailer camper conversion for cheap mobile living
Stealth cargo trailer camper conversion for cheap mobile living

Society presents a false dichotomy for how to house ourselves: either go deeply in debt for 20-30 years for a mortgage-financed conventional home or be trapped in an endless cycle of renting. But there are lots of other options.

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Low Cost Village Housing for Nepal

Buttressed earthbag corners are low cost and add significant strength to buildings.
Buttressed earthbag corners are low cost and add significant strength to buildings.

The greatest need for housing in Nepal is in poor rural villages. Not only can they not afford cement and steel, it’s not practical to carry these heavy materials 1-2 days over mountain passes. We need to identify the most practical low cost earthbag building methods and create a document showing best practices.

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