Chris Magwood’s classic book, Making Better Buildings, is now available for free online! This is a comparative guide to sustainable construction for homeowners and contractors. It is also a masterpiece of research and experience folded into an encyclopedic reference book … Continue reading →
Overall, straw is a sustainable material that has plenty of redeemable features when it comes to construction, though it may not be suited for everyone or every situation. Take time to look at the risks and rewards (and limitations) while … Continue reading →
Craig and Connie Cook to sailed into early retirement aboard an Earthship. “We would still be working,” Craig said. “We left at 55 because we have no bills.” A lack of utility bills for their home, coupled with a lack … Continue reading →
Tightly packed straw in prefabricated rectangular wooden wall frames are being assembled for housing in various places in Europe and Russia. Once the frames are assembled the walls can be lime-rendered. These houses perform well under resistance tests. Straw is … Continue reading →
Ladakh has a long and harsh winter season when temperatures hit as low as -30°C (-22°F). These long winters reduce the cropping season to barely four or five months in a year. Other factors include low precipitation largely in the … Continue reading →
This tiny house was originally built to be a canvas-covered bow top wagon but was recently renovated to add insulation in the round walls as well as a metal roof. The woodwork in this home is absolutely stunning, with a … Continue reading →