Open air designs with rooms that open to the outdoors are practical in certain mild and tropical climates. Unconstrained by interior walls, cooling breezes can freely flow throughout the home. In addition to improved ventilation, open house plans look and feel larger than homes divided up with interior walls. If one large space isn’t appealing, a good compromise might be primarily open space with some privacy walls for the sleeping and bath areas. Also, plan for ways to protect the home from wind, blowing rain and insects. Roll down shutters are one popular solution. They can be lowered as security doors at night and when you’re away from home, and they come in a variety of designs that range from strictly utilitarian (security purposes) to decorative grillwork for custom homes.
sustainable design
Four Good Natural Homes Websites
The Revolution Takes Us Home
This incredible site is a seemingly endless blog of amazing house photos. It’s similar to the tiny cabin site we featured a while back.
“the house shelters daydreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peace.” – Gaston Bachelard
Source: The revolution takes us home
Earthbag Roundhouse with Siberian Chum Roof
I’m always on the lookout for alternative building techniques. In this video, survivalist Ray Mears shows how to build a Siberian chum (tent) using a dozen poles. Three poles are tied together into a tripod and the remainder leaned against it. Reindeer hides are tied on top. But what of more permanent structures where greater … Read more