Yesterday’s blog post about post and beam construction reminded me of the Dunne family strawbale house that we’ve covered previously. Click here to see the previous blog post. This project has always been one of my favorites, so it’s time for an update.
low cost
Recycled Post and Beam Houses

We’ve discussed building with recycled wood in great detail in previous blog posts. Use the search bar on the right side of the page to find other articles. This blog post is about using reclaimed/recycled wood and locally harvested wood for the post and beam frame. This includes using standing dead trees that are still solid and blowdowns from storms.
Transition Asheville Housing & Building Group – Earthbag Home
“Transition Asheville Trip to an off grid Earthbag home of Morgan Caraway & Mary Jane.
25 Small Sustainable House Plans: Cutaway Drawings

My new house plans book covers my most popular house designs. These houses are low-cost, DIY, sustainable house designs, many of which can be built for less than $10,000 if you use locally sourced materials such as earthbags, straw bales and recycled wood.
Tiny House/Cabin made from FREE Pallets
“Kevin Bentley (www.facebook.com/thepalletcabin) shares his “Pallet Cabin” with us- one he made from recycled and free pallet wood. This cabin, at 12′ by 12′, stands as a great little hunting, guest, or weekending cabin or cottage, or could potentially be used/ converted into a tiny house for full time living. Kevin, based in Georgia, (and a tiny house fan) has many other projects in the works, so be sure to check out his Facebook page, and subscribe!”
Earthbag Shelter Nepal

I came across this project proposal for Nepal. Very little information is available, although it looks very interesting. I encourage the designer to build a prototype and report the results.
“Earthbag shelter Nepal: Sharing platform for ideas and plans relating to construction of earthbag shelters in Nepal”