Hemp mixed with lime can create a low-carbon, more climate friendly building material than concrete. “There’s an enormous growth potential in the US for hemp fiber used for building and insulation,” said Kaja Kühl, founder of youarethecity, a design and building practice. “Hemp was only legalized in 2018, but now industrial hemp is following the … Read more
A home made of earthbags in Johns Town, Jamaica, is setting an example for sustainable living. It’s part of a group of largely self-sufficient residences called The Source Farm Foundation and Ecovillage. The home gets 70% of its energy from solar and wind, and the owner says, “People kept coming in our house to see … Read more
Seaweed has been used in constructing buildings since the the ancient Greeks, who used the material as wall insulation. They would fill wooden frames with seaweed and cover them with plaster or clay in order to keep their homes warm. Also Danish people would use seaweed in home construction, and 20 houses from the Viking … Read more
Plentitud’s Bioconstruction team has demonstrated that spaces of delight can be created with accessible and affordable materials. They started with an existing metal structure with a zinc roof that served as shelter from the rain for several tents, but they wanted something that could provide more protection and comfort to their staff and visitors. They … Read more
This is not what I would term “natural building,” but it is certainly interesting architecture and the intention was to incorporate many aspects of sustainability. Kariouk Architects built a spectacular off grid cabin, perched 60 ft above the ground in the forest of Quebec, offering unparalleled view of nature’s splendor. Its occupants find winter’s snowy … Read more
Penny Livingston-Stark is a designer and professor of permaculture who has worked for 25 years in the field of regenerative design based on non-toxic natural materials. She insists on the compatibility between bamboo and earth. Their similarities and differences help them to integrate remarkably well. “Earth and bamboo are not compatible with plastic vapor barriers … Read more