Primitive Technology Blog – Tiled Roof Hut


“I built this tiled roof hut in the bush using only primitive tools and materials. The tools I used have been made in my previous videos. It should be pointed out that I do not live in the wild and that this is just a hobby. It should be obvious to most that this is not a survival shelter but an experiment in primitive building technology.”

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Terra Cotta Decorative Brick

Decorative brickwork in Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
Decorative brickwork in Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal

A highlight of my trip to Nepal has been the traditional Newari brick. Beautiful examples of this architectural terra cotta clay brick abound in Kathmandu. Terra cotta brick and tiles are very affordable because they’re made with low fired clay.

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Reciprocal Roof at Home-Farm.org

Reciprocal roof on earthbag roundhouse made with free eastern red cedar trees
Reciprocal roof on earthbag roundhouse made with free eastern red cedar trees

“Reciprocal frame roofs are highly regarded in the natural building community though there is a limited amount of information about them on the internet. Resources that we’ve found helpful are listed at the bottom of this post. There is evidence of similar structures dating back to antiquated castles of Japan and Eskimo huts, though I have yet to find images of these.

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Smokeless Stoves

Clean cooking stoves in place of open cooking fires are being provided in Nepal
Clean cooking stoves in place of open cooking fires are being provided in Nepal

I’ve been told that smokeless stoves are being built in every district of Nepal by the following two organizations:

Alternative Energy Promotion Center
“Improved cook stove (ICS) is a device that is designed to improve combustion efficiency of biomass, consume less fuel, save cooking time, convenient in cooking process and creates smokeless environment in the kitchen or reduction in the volume of smoke produced during cooking against the traditional stove.

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Africa Vernacular Architecture Database

One of the many houses in the Africa Vernacular Architecture Database
One of the many houses in the Africa Vernacular Architecture Database

“Welcome to the data base on African vernacular architecture.
There is very little information available on vernacular architecture of Africa…. this data base is the only source on line to view images of vernacular structures in every African country.

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Earthbag Building Nepal Radio Interview

Namaste Nepal Radio Show interview of Owen Geiger and Vava Pragya, the earthbag workshop coordinator who’s playing a pivotal role in organizing the training in Nepal. Interview starts at 2:20. Commercial breaks about 14:00-22:00 and 32:00-39:10.

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