Build With Natural Materials
You can build an economical, environmentally-friendly home using natural materials. These resources provide information about earth, earth bermed, straw bale, cob, and underground construction, and other varieties of ecological building materials.
Adobe
Adobe homes are built with bricks made of tightly compacted earth, clay and straw. Here are facts, photos and resources.
Adobe homes are built with bricks made of tightly compacted earth, clay and straw. Here are facts, photos and resources.
Rammed Earth
Even with waterproofing additives, adobe requires dry weather so that the bricks can harden enough to build walls. In rainy parts of the world, builders developed a technique known as rammed earth construction. Find out more.
Even with waterproofing additives, adobe requires dry weather so that the bricks can harden enough to build walls. In rainy parts of the world, builders developed a technique known as rammed earth construction. Find out more.
Straw Bale
Houses have been made of straw since the Paleolithic times. Architects and engineers are now exploring new possibilities for straw bale construction. Here are photos, building plans and resources.
Houses have been made of straw since the Paleolithic times. Architects and engineers are now exploring new possibilities for straw bale construction. Here are photos, building plans and resources.
Earth Sheltered Houses
Earth sheltered, or underground, houses lie mostly beneath the ground surface. The surrounding soil provides natural insulation, making these houses inexpensive to heat and cool. Find facts, photos and plans.
Earth sheltered, or underground, houses lie mostly beneath the ground surface. The surrounding soil provides natural insulation, making these houses inexpensive to heat and cool. Find facts, photos and plans.
Cob Houses
Cob houses are made of clay-like lumps of soil, sand and straw. Unlike adobe and straw bale construction, cob does not use bricks or blocks. Learn how.
Cob houses are made of clay-like lumps of soil, sand and straw. Unlike adobe and straw bale construction, cob does not use bricks or blocks. Learn how.
Earthships
Comprehensive site devoted to researching and developing sustainable biotecture. Construction drawings and details, products, educational materials and other resources.
Comprehensive site devoted to researching and developing sustainable biotecture. Construction drawings and details, products, educational materials and other resources.
The Natural Home Building Source
Sustainable design, passive solar, high thermal mass, do-it-yourself house plans are featured with low-tech system kits.
Sustainable design, passive solar, high thermal mass, do-it-yourself house plans are featured with low-tech system kits.