These natural, earthen homes are so beautiful. They exude such warmth and a feeling of comfort. Where I live, I see all these farmlands being bought up and turned into those ugly, boxy, cheap looking homes that more and more are taking over our landscapes. They all look the same. In one fell swoop of a DEW, it wouldn't be hard to suddenly makes these boxes suddenly "disappear".
My, My, My...It's lovely and reminiscent of different huts of the natives seen in Mexico we passed by on the way to Tourist Attractions in other Resort cities of Mexico and Yucatan Peninsula. They were a mish-mash of adobe, grasses and bamboo together sometimes and at others simple using only one material; contingent upon location with available resources. It was far more fascinating than the historical sights with their westernized constructs of cement with wall-sized murals even when the roof was grass and reeds one could only assume were materials used to create land to live on and grow maize in the region of Mexico City when it was a swampland with canals.
Can't appropriately share my excitement with you about this new world you've opened for us. My son's first love was architecture and he wished to attend University to study it. Instead, he ended-up in Engineering. He designs and builds Robots and works both Sales and Management. His Father was a sociopathic narcissist donkey; but the one thing he did correctly was teach our son all he knew about Mechanics, Engineering, Architecture and Building. That early foundation with skills and technique has served well. To this day, he's ecstatic when building things.
You mentioned a type of Bamboo to exist hardy enough to withstand the treacherous winters of the Mid-Midwest of below zero temps to above 100, often times for months in summer, Blizzard conditions, tornadoes. This could present an opportunity for him to grow and learn in a more conscious way; to build as the ancestors did. Seems it may be about time to open new markets and build according to nature as you outline often...What is the type of Bamboo you would recommend for use here in Indiana...Just west of Lake Erie.
Hi again…I see that you worked on a house in Alamos In Sonora. (I love the look of it and its interior.) I have always been fascinated by that town, the architecture, where it’s located and have wanted to visit it. Once upon a time I thought I would want to live in Mexico…then life and other things got in the way…now that I am older, and considering the politics in the US and California where I am, I may revisit this idea. It doesn’t look like Alamos is that easy to get there to visit. Fly to Hermosillo and take a bus down there? Or Ciudad Obregón?
In Bisbee we have an "opt out" option for avoiding excessive codes...we have many earthen homes in this area and many younger people are doing it! I'll probably end up with one. Wish that bamboo grew here!
Not sure if all my friend’s work/passion is 100% organic, but he is probably the most “natural” guy I know. Your post immediately made me think of him. He definitely forges his own path and others are naturally drawn to his optimism and creativity! On his site, he also shares his travel photography and music.
Just went back into your Archives and found this post! I had that book on Straw Bale Construction written by the Steens…donated it to my local Library. Also I have seen articles about ‘Casa Tiny’, which I believe was built in Mexico. I have been in a few straw bale houses in NM. They were lovely. Warm in the winter, cool,in summer. I especially like the the small ‘window’ that has small door that opens up to reveal the straw interior of the wall…I believe they have a name for it but it escapes me now!
One of my close friends, lives outside of Oaxaca City in a small rural village, in a large one room adobe ‘casita’, with a screened in sleeping porch, where she sleeps. She has a solar hot water heater and a composting toilet! Propane fuel for her stove.
There's going to be a workshop on February 11th....I am personally not familiar but I am in a Homestead Swap and a realtor at Desert Rat Realty will be holding it in Douglas, I think..I'll try to send the announcement.
Thank you for sharing these treasures. Such a nice change from reading about the end of the world, as we know it.
This series on natural buildings methods has given me new dreams to aspire to. Thank you so much, I am loving this series. Such a breath of fresh air.
These natural, earthen homes are so beautiful. They exude such warmth and a feeling of comfort. Where I live, I see all these farmlands being bought up and turned into those ugly, boxy, cheap looking homes that more and more are taking over our landscapes. They all look the same. In one fell swoop of a DEW, it wouldn't be hard to suddenly makes these boxes suddenly "disappear".
My, My, My...It's lovely and reminiscent of different huts of the natives seen in Mexico we passed by on the way to Tourist Attractions in other Resort cities of Mexico and Yucatan Peninsula. They were a mish-mash of adobe, grasses and bamboo together sometimes and at others simple using only one material; contingent upon location with available resources. It was far more fascinating than the historical sights with their westernized constructs of cement with wall-sized murals even when the roof was grass and reeds one could only assume were materials used to create land to live on and grow maize in the region of Mexico City when it was a swampland with canals.
Can't appropriately share my excitement with you about this new world you've opened for us. My son's first love was architecture and he wished to attend University to study it. Instead, he ended-up in Engineering. He designs and builds Robots and works both Sales and Management. His Father was a sociopathic narcissist donkey; but the one thing he did correctly was teach our son all he knew about Mechanics, Engineering, Architecture and Building. That early foundation with skills and technique has served well. To this day, he's ecstatic when building things.
You mentioned a type of Bamboo to exist hardy enough to withstand the treacherous winters of the Mid-Midwest of below zero temps to above 100, often times for months in summer, Blizzard conditions, tornadoes. This could present an opportunity for him to grow and learn in a more conscious way; to build as the ancestors did. Seems it may be about time to open new markets and build according to nature as you outline often...What is the type of Bamboo you would recommend for use here in Indiana...Just west of Lake Erie.
Hi again…I see that you worked on a house in Alamos In Sonora. (I love the look of it and its interior.) I have always been fascinated by that town, the architecture, where it’s located and have wanted to visit it. Once upon a time I thought I would want to live in Mexico…then life and other things got in the way…now that I am older, and considering the politics in the US and California where I am, I may revisit this idea. It doesn’t look like Alamos is that easy to get there to visit. Fly to Hermosillo and take a bus down there? Or Ciudad Obregón?
In Bisbee we have an "opt out" option for avoiding excessive codes...we have many earthen homes in this area and many younger people are doing it! I'll probably end up with one. Wish that bamboo grew here!
http://steveareen.com/architecture/
Not sure if all my friend’s work/passion is 100% organic, but he is probably the most “natural” guy I know. Your post immediately made me think of him. He definitely forges his own path and others are naturally drawn to his optimism and creativity! On his site, he also shares his travel photography and music.
Beautifully written, as usual. Thank you! I would like that Danish kitchen/living room, please. Yes!
I agree regarding the credentialing problem in the USA. So, just grit and smarts from those who produce such beauty without any formal “training”?
Just went back into your Archives and found this post! I had that book on Straw Bale Construction written by the Steens…donated it to my local Library. Also I have seen articles about ‘Casa Tiny’, which I believe was built in Mexico. I have been in a few straw bale houses in NM. They were lovely. Warm in the winter, cool,in summer. I especially like the the small ‘window’ that has small door that opens up to reveal the straw interior of the wall…I believe they have a name for it but it escapes me now!
One of my close friends, lives outside of Oaxaca City in a small rural village, in a large one room adobe ‘casita’, with a screened in sleeping porch, where she sleeps. She has a solar hot water heater and a composting toilet! Propane fuel for her stove.
Gorgeous, flowing beauty!
Can you access Facebook? Otherwise I will just forward the email to you.
https://www.facebook.com/events/227070203788394/
I just LOVE this stuff!!!!!!!!!!!! Shared this, too. THANKS!!!!
Say Kyle, what's your take on earthship home/construction. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=earthship+home+construction&t=newext&atb=v282-1&ia=web
Try this link.
https://mail.proton.me/u/19/almost-all-mail/Jjo1SVnn96a7c5BtbBzAWmVOYHQHjWTrITdUBmQkMhJkl2pTh_64KApiVzGwFnd3hkICPEeLEba8yMYOT6id8w==/F4HoBHLj73BS_3pS9-EVQLT01VgRjVOc5sR4SLjKFcwbO2kp0yeKdHz6-jWYcWmsYqvU-HSa1mVS7Qv5X-QJ0Q==#keyword=desert+rat
There's going to be a workshop on February 11th....I am personally not familiar but I am in a Homestead Swap and a realtor at Desert Rat Realty will be holding it in Douglas, I think..I'll try to send the announcement.