[GJM] Fw: Natural ingredients - to build your home!

[marguerite hampton]

Hi Co-learner's another timely subject for contemplation. 

-------Original Message-------
 
From: W. Robynne McWayne
Date: 01/19/07 09:19:43
Subject: Natural ingredients - to build your home!
 
Now THIS is exactly what I've been dreaming about! I keep seeing small
communities built like this as our future style. We would have little
villages that are not visible/identifyable from above. are some photos of 
 
 
http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm


Robynne, thanks for this. It appeals to me also especially being made
from odds and ends and recycled products. I've always been turned off
by the square boxes we call "homes" and prefer "free form". For
that reason I've also been a fan of the "strawbale and cob movement".

Set into the hillside as this home is, it is also afforded extra protection
from
the elements whether heat or cold.  An attached greenhouse, which also 
served as part of the "living area", would provide for indoor food
production
and added ambience.  We may be forced to spend more time indoors as
some areas heat up and thus will want to try to bring more of the natural 
world inside.. 
 
Here are some photos of structures designed and built by friends:
Bill and Athena Steen, authors of "The Straw Bale House Book" which 
have a similar feel to them. 
http://www.caneloproject.com/pages/canelobuildings/canelobuildings.html

As the need for us to be more mobile due to climate change occurrs, I feel 
we will see the end of large tract construction and more and more people
forced into building their own structures rather than paying for labor.  But
no need to build "shanty's" is there?  Can't we still include beauty and
charm?  

Projects like these offer the opportunity for the whole family to get
involved
and be creative.  Many straw bale homes are built by neighbors getting
together
and doing an old fashioned "house raising".  And women can really let go and
let the goddess inside of them out. Fun stuff that makes life more enjoyable
instead 
of "work".   

http://www.caneloproject.com/pages/mexico/mexico.html  

http://www.caneloproject.com/pages/currrent%20projects/tower%20gallery.html

While the Canelo Project features "southwest architecture" the "Straw Bale
House
Book" shows homes built around the country -- one still standing was built a
100 
years ago and in an area where it snows. .   

Incidentally, the cabin in which I live now has a wood stove and makes good
use of 
wood from the nearby Cleveland Forest as dead oaks need to be felled and
carried 
out by local labor in order to keep it healthy and fire free.  I also opted
not to have a
dryer, feeling I needed the exercise involved with hanging clothes on the
line rather
than exercising in some indoor gym and paying for the privilege. I'm  much
happier 
than I ever was in my 2800 sq. ft. home that. "owned me".   
eco  
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