“The back mass wall is up to the 7th course of bags and another course of foam insulation is about to start. In the video I show how the geotextile is woven through the mass wall making it monolithic. This is an invention by Howard Switzer (the Architect on this project) and he calls it “continuous buttress earthbag walls”. This design eliminates the need for poured concrete buttresses and battering the walls (leaning them back) and allows for a cleaner looking straight walled interior. We have had 300% the normal rainfall this summer in TN and this has resulted in much less progess than was anticipated.
natural building
OpEdNews: Earthquake-Resistant in the Himalayas
“My guest today is Kateryna Zemskova, CEO and co-founder of Good Earth Nepal.
Joan Brunwasser: Welcome to OpEdNews, Kateryna. I’m quite sure that most of our readers have not heard of your organization. Can you tell us a bit about it?
On-Site Earth Block Production
“Hello Owen, We’re excited to announce a new venture to produce structural masonry from diverted excavation right at the building site. Rather than haul off the excavation then import building materials, we think it makes sense to repurpose the waste material into building materials used right at the construction site.
Asturian hórreo: old granary on pillars as tiny summer cabin
“In Northern Spain, small farmers have stored their crops in “hórreos”- a granary raised on pillars – since the 13th century. Mainly found in regions like Asturias and Galicia, this construction is now part of the architectural heritage and is protected by the government. Many homeowners have restored these elevated structures for storage, parking (underneath) or even as tiny cabins.
Earthen Plasters: The healthiest and most beautiful way to finish your home
“No matter what material you build your house with, the finishes will always be the most visible part both inside and out. For thousands of years people have used natural materials to improve the appearance of their buildings, to protect their buildings from the elements, and to hide the rougher qualities of their walls. Despite advances in technology and industrial methods of production, most houses are still finished with natural plasters and renders. In this article we’ll explore the three most common types of plaster, discuss their benefits and limitations, and talk about why they’re the best option for home finishings, not only in natural homes, but in conventional homes too.
Natural Edge Wood and Tour of Mud and Wood House
“Colin Ritchie collects trees that have blown down in storms, gets them milled and turns them into beautifully sculptural furniture, from beds to kitchen units, leaving a natural edge on the wood. You can bring personality and nature into any home by using this technique.”