Classic German architecture: Fachwerk und Enxaimel — Timber-frame straw/clay houses with hazel stick reinforcing lasts for centuries. (None of these buildings had building permits and so maybe they should all be pulled down?)
timber frame
Grand Designs S11E05 timber-framed house using recycled materials
“Kevin follows the progress made by estate manager Ed Waghorn and his wife Rowena, a couple who live an almost self-sufficient life with their four children on a smallholding in Herefordshire. They have been creating a timber-framed house using recycled materials.”
The Oldest Known Strawbale House in Europe
The ”Maison Feuillette” was built in 1921 by Feuillette, an engineer who was looking for solutions to construction problems. It has been for sale for one year. The house (still inhabited and perfectly preserved) is acknowledged globally as a unique, innovative and exemplary building. It features a timber frame structure with straw bale infill, modular construction, and the use of local materials.
Wholewoods Natural Buildings
“A celebration of wood, art, and craftsmanship. See us on Channel 4 this summer working with Kevin McCloud on his latest project and at Grand Designs Live in London May 5th.
Wholewoods is an ethical business supporting traditional woodland crafts and sustainable woodland management.
Creating natural buildings is a skill we have passionately honed over many years. We take regular commissions but also specialise in using the building process as a way of bringing people together to learn. Whether this be a local community group, school children, members of staff or volunteers, all can have a chance to get their hands dirty by working with us.
Build a Home for $10,000 in 10 Days!
These are the type of stories I enjoy most, and what makes Mother Earth News such an incredible resource. In this example, a natural builder has devised a faster, easier timber framing method that looks incredibly practical. The article provides enough details to put the information to use (although more and larger size pics would have been nice).
“The modified timber-framing method William Castle has developed lets him quickly and easily turn this low-cost, local resource into beautiful houses, such as his daughter’s cabin (see the Image Gallery). The shell of the 1,000-square-foot house was built over an existing foundation by a crew of three to four adults and two children in less than 10 days — for less than $10,000!
Withyfield Cottage and the Woodsman’s Cottage
More work by Ben Law. His ideas are spreading throughout the region. The video below shows his finished home before he built the addition. “Beautiful, sustainable, luxury holiday accommodation. Located on a working dairy farm on the edge of the South Downs National Park, this unique roundwood timber, straw bale and cedar shingle holiday cottage … Read more