I want to build a natural house - Page 2

[elfie]

hey Frolick - I'm from Pennsyltucky too - so funny I'm so used to saying that term I forget that's not the real name of our state!

If you're from my part of the state I bet I know of ya and the house your partner is building .... I pass by one that sounds like that everyday! (we are in Hellam Township near Wrightsville)

Sustainer - Maybe consider hosting a workshop where people can help build your house in return for the education it brings them. I know I would love that!
Friends of ours just completed their straw bale house and it is so lovely. It is only 980 sq. ft. but it seems so big and they are a family of 4 living quite comfy there!

[AngelBee]

: This is an awesome thread.....learning alot.

[shell024]

typhoon proof?

hey, any ideas for a natural typhoon/hurricane proof house? I have been looking into building a natural house on Guam (tiny little island in the pacific...typhoon magnet), but having a REALLY hard time finding any resources! Most of the houses on Guam are built with cement for obvious reasons.
My dad built a small boatshed/workshop house with australian hardwood and tin, and that has lasted through most of the major typhoons in the past 15 years. So i'm thinking there has to be a way to do this.

Coconut trees seem to stand VERY well even after the heaviest gusts. Most just lose their leaves. I'm thinking of those??

Please...I don't know what direction to move here. There's been a LOT of helpful info on this thread...just wondering if anyone knows of some resources for TOUGH natural building?

[SandyBeachBums]

Originally Posted by elfie

Friends of ours just completed their straw bale house and it is so lovely. It is only 980 sq. ft. but it seems so big and they are a family of 4 living quite comfy there!

Could you get some pictures? We are going to try and build mortgage free next time and we are trying to figure out a layout.

[blessed2bamommie]

Well! I was *just* searching....Gunter....are you talking about the NC Solar Center? for some green builders!

I'm not so much looking for alternative building as I am looking for healthier material alternatives to the conventional ones.

I sub to Natural Home.

What's Mortage Free?

I'm now subbed...and I need to do some research on the builders I found!

Interesting thread!

[boingo82]

Originally Posted by Sustainer

Has anyone heard of using clay-coated straw as insulation?

Yes in fact they mentioned it in the show "30 days" with Morgan Spurlock (the supersize me guy). They visited the people at Dancing Rabbit which is an off-the-grid commune type thing and showed some clay-coated straw buildings and they actually worked on one.

[boingo82]

Originally Posted by frolick16

my partner is a natural builder and is currently building a 4,000 sq ft natural home that utilizes cobb, straw bale, timber frame, earthen floors and living roofs so he has experience with all natural building types and he says each one is good for meeting different needs depending on climate, resources available and of course if you have to follow any sort of codes, that comes in to play.

I'm LOLing a bit at the oxymoron that is a natural low-environmental-impact 4000 sq. ft. house.

Sounds like your partner does some interesting things to be sure, but a house that big using them sure is funny.

[Sustainer]

I think that building a safe, healthy house out of natural, real materials rather than possibly toxic artificial materials is important, no matter what size it is. I'd rather somone built a large house out of natural materials than a small house out of artificial materials.

I don't think environmentalism has to be all-or-nothing.

[boingo82]

Originally Posted by Sustainer

I think that building a safe, healthy house out of natural, real materials rather than possibly toxic artificial materials is important, no matter what size it is. I'd rather somone built a large house out of natural materials than a small house out of artificial materials.

I don't think environmentalism has to be all-or-nothing.

Oh I agree. It's just that usually, natural building materials are used by people into simpler, low-impact living...which 4000 sq. ft. pretty much isn't.

[Sustainer]

I'm definitely in favor of keeping things as simple and as small as possible, and the house I'm planning to build myself is going to be quite small, but I don't think applying natural building techniques on a larger scale amounts to an oxymoron or a joke.

It's all good.

[Gunter]

Originally Posted by blessed2bamommie

Well! I was *just* searching....Gunter....are you talking about the NC Solar Center? for some green builders!

Yep, the one at NC State University at the McKimmon Center. Have you been to it? It's very 1980s but I really like it still.

We looked at land last night to build on but it was a little too far removed from a paved road or grocery store for us. We'd miss the community aspect of like, I think. We have borrowed books from the library about nat. building though.

Has anyone hosted a "learning weekend" where people can come help you build solar/cob/natural or whatever? When we are ready, we would love to host one for people to learn and help us at the same time. Any tips on how to advertise this or find interested people?

[moss]

The BELL is pretty tiny (300 sq ft), but they have plans on their site and some other info that might be useful... http://geocities.com/newlibertyvillage/earthstar.htm

i just googled living roofs, what an intriguing concept!

:

[SandyBeachBums]

Mortgage free is just that.

After selling our house we would use the money to buy land and perhaps to start working on a house or living in a yurt. We would love to do it without a mortgage and not be tied to the bank. My BIL is a contracter so that would help alot.

[Sustainer]

There's also a book called Mortgage Free, which anyone who would like their own home and is on a budget should read.