“Learn about local women receiving training in natural building in rural Nicaragua with Liz Johndrow of Earthen Endeavors Natural Building.”
natural building
Why We’re Building an Earthbag Stemwall
“The small off-grid home we’re helping friends build here in the Appalachian foothills is getting a bunch of work done to it recently. The biggest task of the moment is building the earthbag stemwall, which we need to finish before our upcoming Straw Bale Workshop in July. We opted for an earthbag stemwall due to the availability of appropriate materials, the relative ease of construction, and the unique siting of the house. All things considered, I think going the earthbag route has been a good choice.
Small? – a documentary about dry cabin life and alternative housing in Fairbanks, Alaska
“Fairbanks, Alaska is one of the coldest cities in the country with winter temperatures frequently reaching -30F. Yet, thousands of people choose to live without many modern conveniences such as running water and indoor bathrooms in modest, non-traditional housing arrangements. Why?”
Massive Earthbag Retaining Walls
I have to laugh when people keep asking me if earthbag building is strong. Earthbags (sand bags) have centuries of use by militaries worldwide, because they’re bomb, blast and bullet resistant. Millions of sand bags are used each year for flood control to stop raging rivers. As well, earthbag building is earthquake and hurricane resistant.
A Tiny Underground House (plans)
“Only 320 square feet in area, the house offers all a person needs at a modest cost. (I once spent 2 happy years in a 225 sq. ft. house.) Energy-efficient, silent, dry, and easy on the land. Floor plan, elevation, perspectives, and a construction section.”
Rapid Growth in Tiny Homes
“Leah Wymer and Brady Ryan moved into 98 square feet so they could pursue their passions. From growing wedding flowers to making honey and sea salt, they say their tiny home is at the center of it all. Leah Wymer and Brady Ryan’s house-on-wheels wasn’t some big, planned project. Wymer’s dad, a carpenter, thought it would be fun, so they bought a used trailer off Craigslist for $500 and started building.