Earthbags are most commonly used for houses, schools, greenhouses, survival shelters and water tanks. Another very practical use for earthbags is retaining walls. These can range from massive retaining walls along highways to small garden walls. This article is about terracing the land with low retaining walls to create pathways and to control water runoff.
sustainable building
Earth and Sun Earthbag Workshop, Taos, NM
“A co-creative community building a sustainable earthbag home: MAY 30 – SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 TAOS, NEW MEXICO This workshop: we envision a diverse collective of people, women and men, young and old, experienced and inexperienced in building skills, joining together to build a sustainable and affordable home on the high desert of northern New Mexico. … Read more
She Moved to the Desert to Build Her Dreams
“Lindsey is building an Off Grid Sustainable Earthbag Artist Community in the desert of Joshua Tree, California.”
Bamboo Domes in Vietnam
“Vo Trong Nghia Architects recently released new photos of eight bamboo domes rising on an islet on Saigon River in Vietnam. The completed structures comprise part of a multifunctional community center for the Diamond Island project, a series of large and small spaces for local residents to use as venues for various events and activities.
Standing Dead Timber
Store-bought lumber is cost prohibitive for many people. One good alternative for natural builders is using standing dead trees – trees that have been killed by insects or fire and are still standing. For best results, select trees that have been dead for only a few years. With some practice you’ll learn to identify sound timber that has little or no rot. The dead trees can be used in the round as posts and beams or milled into lumber. One key advantage is the logs have already dried naturally and are ready for use.
California Green Building Standards Code
“The California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen Code) is Part 11 of the California Building Standards Code and is the first statewide “green” building code in the US.