Green Building's topics - tribe.net

COB Building Workshop at Organic Freedom Farm Painted Desert AZ Labor Day Weekend

2008-07-25T00:53:18Z

Join us Aug 30-Sept 1 for a weekend of stainability learning and idea sharing at the Organic Freeledom Farm as we construct an authentic Native American Style outdoor bread oven.

Our first meeting on July 4th weekend was a great success. We made many new friends and learned how others are creating a sustainable homestead in the sometimes hostile environment of the Four Corners region.

For those of you not familiar with the Organic Freedom Farm, we are in the proccess of building a small intentional community in the awesome AZ Painted Desert. Our ultimate goal is to create an "Eden in the Desert" while building a network of communities so that we can learn from each other as we trade goods, services, and ideas.

We ask that you please provide your own provisions for a camping trip to a remote primitive area, (food, water, etc...) Please no chemical based products on the property. Also be advised, the farm is located on high desert grassland with minimul shade.

Construction of an outdoor bread oven is the scheduled project for the weekend, however if there is a good turn-out we may be able to do additional cob projects.

In the spirit of community we ask that all attendees remember that although we all have our own individual goals, the purpose of our group gatherings is to share rather than "promote personal agenda" Please we ask, no politics and no religion.

for more information about how you can join the "Trade Network "or to RSVP please email organicfreedom@earthlink.net

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

INVITATION - New Tesla Project

2008-07-20T18:31:35Z

JB Schwartz

July 17, 2008

Our Noah's Ark Research Foundation has put together a large group of investors with a very big budget to build a one hundred and ten hector Tesla Museum and Science Center complete with a full size working replica of Tesla's Wardenclyffe lab.

Any researcher doing Tesla or alternative energy research selected by our special team will be able to participate in the project and will receive full financial support for their research.

Phase one is almost finished, it took almost a year to put all the investors together and find the right piece of land. When the drawings and plans are ready, phase one will be finished. After the rainy season is over we will start clearing an area for the bunk house to accommodate our workers. The area where Tesla's Tower and lab will be built is solid adobe down to 2,600 feet.

I'm inviting all loyal Tesla fans and technicians doing Tesla or alternative energy research to join forces to help build and develop our Tesla Museum and Science Center Project.

This coming March we will be holding a special Conference in Phoenix Arizona to select qualified Tesla and alternative energy researchers to participate in the project. All information about the Conference and the Project will be posted on the

noahsarkenergyresearch@yahoogroups.com and

therealteslainfoexchange@yahoogroups.com groups.

If you're interested in qualifying please join and sign up for the

March Conference.

Regards,

JB Schwartz

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/radiant_energy/message/4976

Copied from: http://www.fourwinds10.com/siterun_data/science_technology/new_technologies_and_inventions/news.php?q=1216343410

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posted in Green Building - 4 replies

tires are fun

2008-07-15T20:37:11Z

i just finished part of a wall to run up above my stream to prevent errosion and create terracing for veggies with stream irragation. its about 50 feet long and 6 feet high. the only materials were tires and semi wet dirt rammed in their with a 10 pound sledge hammer. zero cost in materials and 45 hours of labor, 13 of those hours was me pounding a sweat

i found this blog on this work just yesterday. http://www.tnstaafl.net/Earthship/Tires/tires.html

posted in Green Building - 10 replies

UTAH SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY

2008-07-12T15:43:22Z

Utah Valley Commons, a cohousing community to be located south of Salt Lake City and within commuting distance of Utah Valley State College and Brigham Young University, welcomes participation by individuals and families interested in: co-housing, eco-village development, permaculture, and sustainable living in general. The UVCC has no religious or political affiliation. Everyone is welcome.

At present we are early in the planning stage, and no site has been selected. The list will serve as forum for discussion, and will lead to practical expression in the form of eco-village and/or co-housing development in or near Provo, Utah. Our models are Eco-Village at Ithaca (http://www.ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us/), Champlain Valley Co-Housing (http://www.champlainvalleycohousing.org), the Wasatch Commons (http://www.econ.utah.edu/~ehrbar/coho/index.htm), and Earthsong Eco-Neighborhood (http://www.earthsong.org.nz), suitably modified to local conditions.

"If it is man's privilege to be independent, it is equally his duty to be inter-dependent." M. K. Gandhi

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/utahvalleycohousing/
http://www.utahvalleycommons.com/
http://wiki.utahvalleycohousing.org

posted in Green Building - 2 replies

Bales Are Fun, Too!

2008-07-06T15:31:14Z

anyone have any experience with straw bales?

posted in Green Building - 3 replies

cob remodling

2008-06-29T10:32:56Z

so i was thinking the other day after looking at a rocket stove video on you tube, that one could basicly take out all of the walls in a regular house and remodle it with cob. building cob walls and even cob bunches ect...
recycle the building materials you tear out and replace them with cob. as long as the plumbing and electric are up to code you wont have any permit problems. buy some crappy old houses and turn them into cob wonder houses.
a good way to get around permits ect...
any one for see issues with doing this?

posted in Green Building - 7 replies

willing worker experienced in cob,straw,bags,tires,domes+more,greywater treats,myco-bioremeditation,algea growth hydro&solar&wind systems

2008-06-27T21:20:14Z

i am a knowledgeable green builder and artistic craftsman that wants to work for iether homeowners or contractors pioneering the realm of sustainability not only do i build but am versed in the mysteries of alchemy and energy do you want to create a living stationary space ship capable of sustaining you and your loved ones through the millinia to come. i am an asset to any one that is embarking on building adventure. lets get crazy lets think big lets stand on the shoulders of giants and do something so beautifull and simple that the world won't be able to look the other way !!! lets turn this boat around. email me on tribe or on hotmail at trekallover@hotmail.com i look forwards to hearing from you friends paz y amor para todo's jonathan

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

small addition help

2008-06-12T21:54:23Z

I am adding a bed/bath to my upstairs, trying to do it as green as possible. For starters, bamboo flooring, I've been reading that it's not so green, but there are still a couple of companies that are..?

posted in Green Building - 2 replies

washington state laws on cob and straw bale

2008-06-04T05:30:28Z

???
any one?
hows it work. what are you allowed to build?

posted in Green Building - 2 replies

FWD: Natural/Alternative Building event in Bath, New York

2008-05-07T02:23:56Z

On 5/4/2008, houseca11s wrote:
>SUN, JULY 27 - SAT, AUG 2. NATURAL BUILDING COLLOQUIUM:
>For everyone interested in a more sustainable and better built
>environment. Work side by side with the foremost builders,
>designers and experts in the fields of natural building, renewable
>energy, alternative fuels, grey water systems, and permaculture.
>Gain knowledge and experience through demonstrations,
>presentations and community building using strawbale, cob,
>earthbags, natural plasters and finishes, timber frames and
>other environmentally appropriate materials. On the land and
>under the stars. Early registration and student discounts
>available. For more information visit www.peaceweavers.com
>or call 607-776-4060

That's a good description, especially the "On the land and under the stars" line. There's some of us that go to this one every year (this is the fifth annual northeast natural building colloquium they've hosted). Whether or not you're thinking about coming, check out the photos:
www.peaceweavers.com/bws/

This year's presenter lineup hasn't been finalized, but it's been a winner every time. A partial list of past presenters includes (alphabetically):

Laura Bartels
www.greenweaverinc.com

Deanne Bednar
www.freewebs.com/strawbalestudio/

Janine Bjornson
www.greenhomebuilding.com/ask_t...Janine

Dan Chiras
www.chelseagreen.com/authors...lDChiras

Carole Crews
carolecrews.com/

Aaron Dennis
www.tugleywood.com

Sam Droege
www.discoverlife.org/who/CV/...Sam.html

David Eisenberg
www.dcat.net

Ianto Evans
www.cobcottage.com

Ben Falk
www.wholesystemsdesign.com

Chris Fox
www.foxnaturalbuilding.com

Pete Fust
www.grisb.org/publications/pub22.htm

Sarah Highland
www.theithacajournal.com/news/...3.html

Mark Hoberecht
www.harvestbuild.com

Josh Jackson
www.yestermorrow.org/instruc...kson.htm

Joe Jenkins
josephjenkins.com/publishing.html

Sun Ray Kelly
www.sunraykelley.com

Tim Owen-Kennedy
www.vitalsystems.net/about.htm

Doni Kiffmeyer
www.okokok.org

Sigi Koko
www.buildnaturally.com

Paul Lacinski
www.chelseagreen.com/2000/it...trawbale

Mark Lakeman
activistarchitect.blogspot.com/20...tml

Satomi and Tom Lander
www.landerland.com

Sarah Machtey
www.sageearth.com

Jim Merkel
www.simplicityforum.org/speake...el.html

Frank Meyer
www.thangmaker.com

Darren Molnar-Port
www.natresnet.org/conferenc...olnar-Port

Ed Raduazo
www.cobbuildersforum.com/forum...ts.asp

Jaki and Rob Roy
www.cordwoodmasonry.com

Clark Sanders
americancity.org/magazine/...se-hainer/

Tim Schlitzer
www.foodroutes.org

Ben Simpson
www.yourgrowingplaces.com

Catherine Wanek
www.strawbalecentral.com

and more

posted in Green Building - 3 replies

Anyone have any solar air heater performance data?

2008-04-27T05:30:48Z

Does anyone have or know where to get.... some performance data on solar air heaters? I know it varies some by manufacturer and certainly by panel size... but I am looking for some BTU output...per panel or square foot of panel. Anything that quatifies how much heat it is providing.

Renard

posted in Green Building - 2 replies

Save the date! 07/13~ Sustainability Salon

2008-04-05T23:21:51Z

I know I'm new here, and its tacky to post an event, but its going to be so much fun! Besides if you don't know about Gaviotas in Colombia, you are going to kick yourself.
Grin*

Event Date: SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008, 2PM-5PM
Venue: PARKWAY THEATRE, 1834 Park Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94606
Cost: FREE
Contacts: Promise privately for more details

Sustainability Salon:
Not the same old “Gloom and Doom”

The NGD Committee is hosting a multi-media teaching event. The public is invited to attend this free Salon, which will feature a mixture of video clips, moderated discussion, and a free-ranging Question & Answer session covering many current topics.

Video content will include portions from ‘The Story Of Stuff’ (featuring Annie Leonard), ‘What a Way to Go’, and the latest documentary-in-progress about the Center Las Gaviotas in Columbia.

Discussion content will center around themes raised in these videos, and include:
-Consumerism and Local activities
-Peak Oil-Petroleum and Food / Overpopulation issues
-Systems Thinking and the Design Revolution for business and home life

In other words, this event will focus on solutions that are available today, and local ways SF Bay Area residents can take steps to improve the situation at hand.

Panelists slated to appear include members of Bay Area Localize, Back To Earth Organic Catering, Post Carbon Oakland, Friends of Gaviotas, the Design For Better Living Collective, the Sustainable Business Alliance, the Bucky Fuller Institute, SWT Energy.

Sponsored by the NGD Committee and the Parkway Theatre, this event promises to open doors and spark new connections between area residents who are sick and tired of feeling like nothing can be done. In fact, there’s lots going on right now, and the Sustainability Salon will be the place to learn more.

The Parkway serves food and beverages of many kinds. For a full preview of their menu, go here: www.picturepubpizza.com For more about the NGD committee, visit google-groups and search under ‘Design-For-Better-Living’.

posted in Green Building - 1 reply

Does anyone know...

2008-04-03T23:25:43Z

Does anyone know where I might find info or a list of states, cities, counties or areas that are green building friendly? That is, places that will allow green building to pass a legal permitting process. Like earthship, cobb etc.

posted in Green Building - 3 replies

04/19-04/24 Introduction to Cob and Natural Building Prescott, AZ

2008-04-02T21:58:09Z

Hey folks, a Friend of mine is hosting a workshop in AZ building a cob/natural building greenhouse. Whether you want to build a cob oven, bench, studio, or other such space...or are inspired by the ecological/community awareness, while simultaneously creating a tangible product you should check this out. If anyone is interested either personally or professionally in such a workshop you should look into www.SGNB.com (thats for Seven Generations Natural Builders).

Instructor:
Sasha Rabin (sasha@sgnb.com)
Sasha Rabin has a degree in Ecological Design from Evergreen State College. She has studied natural and traditional methods of building in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Indonesia, and the southwest United States. Following an apprentice at the Cob Cottage Company she worked with them as an assistant instructor(2001) and went on to co-found Seven Genereation Natural Builders in 2003. She built a cob dwelling in the southwest US that she is curently living in. She contuinues to teach with SGNB, as well teaching as a guest instructor at the Real Good Institute for Solar Living(www.realgoods.com) / and Yestermorrow Design/Build School. (www.yestermorrow.org/)

(She is also flexible on the price if that is an issue but for a workshop that is a fair number!!!)

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

Don't buy Sierra Pacific Industries Wood

2008-03-31T13:00:01Z

Hi fellow green builders - do not buy wood from SPI, because they are the largest clearcutting agency in California and own a full 1% of California land which they clear cut, replant and spray herbicides on. Check out www.savethesierra.org. Google Sierra Pacific Industries logging for a full view of what they do. If you want the arial version, just google map Dorrington, California and you can see all their recent clearcuts.

posted in Green Building - 2 replies

Cosanti Construction?

2008-03-31T12:43:37Z

Anyone familiar with this?

Build a hill of dirt, round it off and pour concrete over it, then dig it out.
You end up with a dome. You leave channels for entries and window.
They look pretty cool. Not sure how fun it is to dig them out, though.

Examples in Scottsdale, AZ at the Cosanti Foundation.

It's a project of Arcosanti. . .

posted in Green Building - 3 replies

Round wood timberframing book?

2008-03-29T21:46:05Z

Does anyone know of a good book outlining building techniques using unmilled poles? Not great logs to be stacked into a cabin, but round poles maybe between 3" and 10" in diameter. We have a thick young forest in need of thinning and would like to make use of the poles for structures. I have been unable to find a good book addressing the joinery of poles in walls and roofs. Maybe I'm just using the wrong search terms. I see lots of beautiful natural buildings online that have obviously been built this way, but have seen little that's instructional.

Thanks!

Guy

posted in Green Building - 14 replies

Any links to Green Mini-Houses?

2008-03-26T22:12:00Z

I am very intrigued by the idea and would love to explore what has been done, if you know of any links. . .

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

Nader Khalili has left the dome

2008-03-19T23:19:38Z

http://archinect.com/news/article.php?id=72321_0_24_0_C17

posted in Green Building - 3 replies

Reusing vinyl billboard ads?

2008-03-10T21:57:20Z

I've done it before, welding ads together as part of building yurt structures for a festival. All that it takes is time, space, billboard ads, a heat gun and a roller.

The question is, where can I find information on doing this? If I can point to a book or a website, it makes it easier for me to write grants proposing to reuse billboard ads in this method.

Does anybody know where I can find information resources on this topic? Or which type of heat gun in which temperature range works the best for the average vinyl medium?

Thanks, Mello

posted in Green Building - 6 replies

anyone building this year?

2008-02-28T14:53:55Z

hey im looking to learn all about green building this year, but i dont have money to do a program, so if anyones building a project this year id like a lot to come and help

posted in Green Building - 13 replies

Have you all seen this...

2008-02-26T16:22:44Z

http://dvice.com/archives/2008/02/fantastic_nauti.php?p=1&cat=undefined#
the snail house..........

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

What are some views on Papercrete?

2008-02-26T15:09:19Z

I didn't see any posts on Papercrete. I know it's not totally "Green" ... and someone on another tribe posted a link about the problems with mold ... but it was dated in 1997 and mentioned buidings that were built with direct earth contact and another building that used Papercrete for the roof too.

Are there any opinions against using Papercrete? I hope not because I just viewed some YouTube clips on it and ... (*sigh*) ... I think I'm in love... but I just plan to build a fence with the stuff. Here's some links:

Papercrete Fence
www.youtube.com/watch

Papercrete Home/Office
www.youtube.com/watch

Making the Papercrete Mixture
www.youtube.com/watch

A silly introduction to Papercrete
www.youtube.com/watch

posted in Green Building - 6 replies

Green design photos for web-gallery?

2008-02-26T05:34:32Z

Hello everyone,
I am looking for quality photos of "green" residential building projects for single family residences and condos, that I can post on my website's gallery:

- examples of architecture & interior design
- before & after remodeling photos

The website is new, with a mission of educating the public on practical eco-friendly home design options. This is an opportunity to promote both the designer's talents and public awareness. My focus is on modern/conventional green homes (not mud homes, earthships, and the like). If you know of designers/architects who may be interested in having their work featured (read: free advertising opportunity), please let me know!!

Thank you,
Slava

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

BioRemediation

2008-02-25T13:52:39Z

Paul Stamets has found a way to heal the land...
http://www.youtube.com/v/BelfLIJErek&rel=1
And create more life....
NASA has found a way to sort of heal the land, but it requires enslaving bees.... Millions of bees.... Like cattle, to produce wax...
That contains the hydrocarbons. It is being used Massively now, which means the oil leaks in engines bilge, casings, and pumps can be filled with a powder, and pumped out into the water (of my home), and the fish eat it. But it's contained.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmSaNqMpfCs
Which do you think is more profitable?
Fungi for free (almost), or wax balls of air?

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

we are building

2008-02-24T21:58:38Z

a 27 meter round cob cottage. next to a stream that leads to a great mountain. check your my website with photos of the progress

oaxacahome.blogspot.com

posted in Green Building - 7 replies

Recycling Apartment Window Inserts

2008-02-23T07:02:16Z

Ok I find myself being able tp pick-up windows a lot of windows. 30 windows from one apartment building alone. They are all sorts of sizes but they are big. 36 by 40 inches would be a typical size. They are the insulated double strength glass with a plastic bar sandwiched between the glass panes, then glued all around by the edges and then pumped down with gas. Most of them have lost their seal, some are cracked, some I can't figure out what's wrong with them.

I see other apartment building throwing these out also. Luckily I have a huge studio with those old unprotected industrial window bay 8 ft high by 15 ft long. I'm in Oh Heigh Ho right on lake erie so it gets really cold; making me miserable in my unheated studio. Anyone ever went to the trouble of framing up glass walls with these, perhaps a green house???? Anyone reusing these?

posted in Green Building - 3 replies

Ancient Artisans Village visitors season begins 4-1

2008-02-20T15:48:16Z

Our visitors season for 2008 begins on 4-1 and will run through 11-1. Contact 573-729-5286 to scedule a visit or work program.

You can read about us on "Communities Directory Online"

namaste,
Sidonie

posted in Green Building - 3 replies

isolating with poo???

2008-02-18T00:59:14Z

hi i just join this tribe and hope it can answer this little question.

i live on the gulf islands of canada.
i am building a green house.
i want to isolate the north wall with any material that is locally available.

i thought about saw dust. is it a possible/efficient way of doing????

i thought about horse manure.....am i crazy???

we would conceptualize a system, where we could replace the manure every couple months(as it compost itself) and then use it as soil....
i thought we could place the manure into a sealed wall so no wood would be in contact with it.
and there would be a trap to empty the wall and re-fill it.

what do you think???? does manure itself have a good isolating value??? i would think so...

any other tips recommendation????

thanks

posted in Green Building - 6 replies

sustainability jobs/networking?

2008-02-03T00:26:30Z

I recently graduated with a BA in Sustainable Community Development. I moved to Portland with the hope that I will find work doing something that helps me grow as a person and, more importantly, helps make the world a better place. I am interested in community building, green building, environmental and conservation issues, and all things sustainable. However, I have not yet been able to find gainful employment in this field. I would like to find some community groups, volunteer and job opportunities. Any ideas, suggestions, connections for Portland, OR?
Thanks!

posted in Green Building - 2 replies

Good resources/ websites on waste management?

2008-02-01T23:35:56Z

Hi,

Does anyone know good online resources on Waste Management?

I'm especially interested in sustainable Waste Management for bigger events.

Best wishes,

Mira

---
www.ideaplants.org

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

Emerald Earth--- Feedback.

2008-01-31T17:38:43Z

Howdy.

I'm looking into EE's summer Nat'l Building program.

anyone have any experience w/ this community or course? I know some folks there, but would love to hear how your experience was at this green building mecca.

posted in Green Building - 1 reply

A sweet liquid video about the Flow of Water

2008-01-13T23:32:50Z

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1598503208400404583

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

Green Building Workshop at One Family Gathering

2008-01-04T02:44:01Z

Hey folks,

I'm facilitating a festival near Christmas Valley, Oregon and I need people who would like to give workshops on "Green" concepts.
Anyone whose interested should contact our Eco-Village Coordinator: Coulby Styles 425/212-7030
Participants will receive free entrance to the event.

Thanks,

Weather

Here's the festival announcement:

ONE FAMILY GATHERING
MAY 2-4 2008, CENTRAL OREGON

The One Family Gathering will be a three day unity gathering near Christmas Valley, Oregon. The festival intends to unify a variety of cultures from many other peaceful gatherings. It will manifest as a weekend long event encompassing barter fairs, music festivals, parties, and reggae shows, surrounded by a free camping area.

This event has a focus slightly different from other festivals. We will provide a large, secure vendor section inside the event in addition to hosting two stages: a "party" tent with nonstop djs, hosted by DJ4NORML and the main "Quetzalcoatl" stage. Both stages will have a dynamic array of musicians performing twenty-four hours a day throughout the event. Featured musicians will include Katy Turner, Bijhan, Jack Burton, Laurianne, Matt Zeltzer, Naugahyde Nights, Norman Baker, SpiritMoon, Deep Sleep Narcotics Company, Renegade Minstrels, Cntrl Alt Delete, Dj Eff, DJ4NORML, Hippinshlog, Jahson Ites, Essential I, Dj Sticky, Huckleberry, Jensen, Min.d,Tommy Dean, Wehrwolve, HannaH*s Field, and Fiddlin Big Al; with more groups signing up daily.

Set in the high desert, One Family Gathering promises to entertain with over 70 music performances, a trade market, a drum circle, exceptional food vendors, and much more.

Tickets can be purchased through "Brown Paper Tickets":
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/25829

This is a "one-off," PRIVATE PARTY for FAMILY, FRIENDS and MEMBERS of OneFamilyGathering.org ONLY
Become a member (free) at:
http://www.onefamilygathering.org/

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

Condo going Solar

2007-12-29T07:59:10Z

Hello All!

I just bought a condo with electric appliances and heating. Going solar would be the logical choice, though I have yet to find resources that address photovoltaics on something other than a commercial building or single family home. Can anyone steer me to resources or people that might be appropriate? I live in Portland, Oregon.

Thanks!!!!

~J~

posted in Green Building - 6 replies

Making Pots and Planters w/COB?

2007-12-29T03:28:29Z

hi, i've got a few questions about cob. is it an appropriate medium for creating pots and planters. can it handle the almost daily watering and moist soil, or will it dissolve? does cob breath, like terracotta? will it be strong enough at 1 inch thickness? i'd really like to start sculpting and making pots and i hope cob is the medium for me.

i'm looking for guides and useful information on cob and working with it. so far i've found this online book oriented towards housing- http://weblife.org/cob/

thanks for your help and expertise!

posted in Green Building - 12 replies

Natural paint materials and advice

2007-12-27T16:31:39Z

Hi, I am painting my walls and ceilings with homemade oil-based natural paint, and was wondering if anyone knows of an online site or store that has both, gallon cans of linseed oil and quarts or half gallons of a citrus solvent or thinner, that I need to make it? I live in the middle of nowhere so an actual store is out of the question, and I can find a site that has one or the other but not both and the shipping from 2 places is going to be as much as the materials, so if anyone knows of somewhere that I am missing that would be great.

The advice I was looking for was should I use raw or boiled linseed oil? I have seen people say good and bad things about both and was wondering if anyone had tried either/or and how it worked out. Also if anyone has any tips that they have acquired from using natural paint as everything helps. Thanks very much.
Adam

posted in Green Building - 1 reply

Have a look at this: www.simondale.net/house

2007-12-20T20:25:57Z

Of course Supernova wants me to build her one too!

posted in Green Building - 2 replies

Searching for Gaviotas

2007-12-20T18:40:52Z

Does anyone have information about Gaviotas (Colombia)? I´m traveling through colombia for four months and would love the opportunitiy to volunteer if anyone has info i would be greatly appreciative. Gracias para todos.

Ivon

posted in Green Building - 3 replies

"Survival Guide" / How To

2007-12-19T08:36:25Z

Hey everyone,

I am one of the organizers of a project looking to create a full-time burner community on an island in Nicaragua. Like Burning Man, sustainability is not our focus, but it is certainly one of the things which members of the project are interested in. There is one other group also looking to create a full-time burner commity.

I want to create a single "how to" or "survival guide" that will teach members of these permanent communities everything that they need
to know about green construction techniques and sustainable energy. And of course the info would be of great use to anyone outside of these communities who has interest in doing it for themselves.

I can see it almost mirroring Bob Stahl's old, but great page on "Temporary Desert Structures". Here's a link to that:

http://www.geocities.com/potatotrap/tech/bluetarp.htm

But, this new page would focus on structures that are permanent, or semi-permanent, plus sustainable energy.

And, of course, I'd like to see this new how to/survival guide as a wiki, so that everyone can contribute.

Does anyone know of anything similar that already exists?

And would anyone be interested in helping out with this?

Cheers!

posted in Green Building - 2 replies

Solar/Alt Energy Contractors CA, NV, TX, CO?

2007-12-11T00:47:08Z

howdy.

I'm still up in Gerlach installing solar panels as a part of the Black Rock Solar donation to the school in this miniscule town. 90 KW and 480 panels... it's a big project. We are a little over a week from completion and this gift will be finished.

I then find myself in the interesting bind of leaving DPW with no home or job one week before X-mas. Great timing.

So... I'm shouting out in search for Solar/Alt Energy contractors on the West Coast or the Lone Star State. Anybody need a laborer?

Drop me a line. Thank ya.

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

land for sale SC Colorado

2007-12-10T20:58:17Z

6 acres in 2 lots on a public greenbelt/ creek in Baca Grants next to Crestone. Can build two houses each with a guest house and have 2 wells. Asking $49,000. Awesome views and access to mountains. Area has lots of Alternative building (local strawbales, adobe, airblock, cordwood, cob, etc) with no codes, just some restrictions. Contact direct if interested.

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

insulation

2007-12-03T20:25:57Z

i checked locally about adding some insulation to my house, a soy based spray. It was going to be 2$ a square foot, too much cost for me.
what other enviro-freindly products do people use here that are less expensive?

posted in Green Building - 3 replies

Neiman Marcus Killing one treet at a time. (well probably more than that)

2007-11-30T21:30:35Z

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/sitelets/christmasbook/fantasy.jhtml?cid=OCBF8_NMO2792

nuf said

posted in Green Building - 10 replies

Power to the People!!!

2007-11-27T15:26:39Z

Nanosolar: Power to the people

Nanosolar coatings are as thin as a layer of paint and can tranfer sunlight into power quite efficiently. Imagine the possibilities, from solar coated shingles to solar lined windows to solar powered cell phones and ipods. Solar powered buildings and homes might just become standard in the future thanks to this innovative technology by Nanosolar Inc. The almighty dollar will launch these thin-film solar cells into worldwide applications thanks to the fact that it's actually cheaper than burning coal. The underlying technology for these solar cells is nothing new, having been around for decades, but Nanosolar has created the actual technology to manufacture and mass produce the solar sheets. The solar cells are produced by a solar printing press of sorts rolling out these aptly named PowerSheets rapidly and cheaply. The machines apply a layer of solar-absorbing nano-ink onto metal sheets as thin as aluminum foil reducing production costs to a mere tenth of current solar panels and at a rate of several hundred feet per minute. The first commercial cells for consumer use are scheduled to be released this year.

Cost has always been the burdening factor weighing down the mass application of solar technology at nearly $3 per watt. In order to compete with the energy produced from coal solar has been in need of finding a way to shrink its costs down to $1 per watt. Nanosolar's cells use absolutely no silicon as is the standard for current solar production and the efficiency of the PowerSheet cells are competitive with the traditional systems as well. The golden kicker, the cost to produce these solar coatings is a mere 30 cents per watt!!

Nanosolar has built what is soon to be the largest solar plant in world in San Jose and once full production begins early next year the facility is capable of producing a whopping 430 megawatts per year, more than the combined total of every other solar manufacturer in the U.S. The biggest problem for Nanosolar is keeping up with the impending solar boom. California recently launched the Million Solar Roofs initiative providing tax breaks and rebates to encourage the installation of $100,000 solar roofs per year for a solid decade. Thanks to the innovative approach Nanosolar is poised to launch the solar revolution and we the consumer stand to benefit greatly as the result.

posted in Green Building - 9 replies

Financing a "green" remodeling project

2007-11-20T06:52:55Z

Hi all,

If a client comes to me for advice about financing some eco-friendly updates to an older home... what are some good resources with info on the [approximate] cost of such a project...or cost of the individual improvements- energy/water saving, floors/cabinets, insulation, etc.?

Also, where can I get info on local government (or other) incentives/discounts? It would be in the SF Bay Area.

Thanks,
Slava

posted in Green Building - 8 replies

natural, petro-less carpet

2007-10-15T02:44:57Z

just wanted to share some useful and good news.
we've been by strata law forced to put in carpeting into our suite, due to previous noise issues btw suites.
i'm allergic to carpet, and i'm oppose to petroleum products...so...i did some research and found a wonderful non-fuming, natural beautiful carpet called sisel. it's the same price if not less then the 'better' berbers and as much as wool carpet which some of us are still allergic to. it is made of agave plant fibers and the backing is made of natural gum resin.
we've had it in for a few months now and no respiratory or allergy issues with any of my household.
the only issues we've had is no one here in vancouver bc, canada knew how to install it.
you can't snag it on the typical carpet teeth you first put down on the floor. you gotta secure it with the baseboards after kicking it past the teeth. it hasn't slid around tho, or buckled much. the seams you can heat glue down in typical carpet laying ways, or just stitch up with a good thick curved needle and thread of similar color.

some people complain of the prickly hard weave on their feet, that it's not soft, wah wah...i like it, i suggest wearing sox if it's too rough.
how to clean it? dry powder clean, which is used in europe but we haven't tried it yet. otherwise wipe up spills right away and use a protein stain remover.

i love the stuff and hope that more people trade in their petroleum based carpets and berbers for this.
i hope someone starts to manufacture this kind of carpet out of hemp rope too.
and i'm puzzled why this stuff along with other fibers has been used thruout europe (even through the middle ages) for years and so many are clueless or uneasy to try it in n.america. i guess the oil products have more people by the balls then they'd like to belive.

btw, this is not a solicitation...i'm just super stoked to find a green product and still comply with our strata. everyone wins.

posted in Green Building - 15 replies

Innovative, interesting and very GREEN!

2007-10-14T23:16:57Z

http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/006457.html

posted in Green Building - 11 replies

Remodling--Green Home Heating

2007-10-10T03:56:18Z

I am (hopefully) buying a 1950's house, which I'm planning to remodel to make it green. What suggestions do you have for heating? What are the best, most sustainable options? I'd appreciate any thoughts on this. Thanks!

posted in Green Building - 14 replies

Costa Rica Cobb Project

2007-10-09T15:24:30Z

We are planning to develop a raw food healing retreat-farm in Costa Rica and are very interested in building earthhouses. We've looked at cob houses on the internet and love what we see. We are curious about how well cob homes last in the tropics, because we've heard rumors about cracking and bees making a home in the walls. So, we do have some questions, but are otherwise interested in building earthhouses on our property. Our plan includes building 3 cottages (as guests houses), a common area for guests (covered area for cooking and meeting), a main house for us, a yoga platform and a green house...and sanctuaries at the waterfall and in the jungle. All this is for 38 acres of land, with nearby beaches and spectacular waterfalls!

So, we are interested in 2 ideas: either hosting a workshop/training on our property to build our structures or to hire an architect, builder and manager...someone bilingual (Spanish, English)...to build the structures. Also, we can line up a green-construction company to co-develop the land for things like electric, bamboo, etc, where knowing the local community and culture is necessary to get things done, and hiring a workforce is easy to do. Please respond if you are interest you or if you can provide any recommendations or more information.
thanks

posted in Green Building - 7 replies

New Helix Wind Turbine

2007-10-03T09:03:29Z

Hey,

Has anyone seen this ? Its really amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9flSPAdOLk

arrow

posted in Green Building - 9 replies

organicARCHITECT is seeking a project architect

2007-09-30T18:53:42Z

ABOUT US

organicARCHITECT is a recognized leader in architecture and sustainable design. We are "change agents" committed to making the world a better place. We offer a flexible and exciting work environment, competitive salary, and a great location in downtown San Francisco.

We are continually seeking free-thinking, individualistic artists who share our dedication to being "the change you wish to see in the world."

organicARCHITECT is headed by Eric Corey Freed, voted "Best Green Architect" by San Francisco Magazine and author of "Green Building for Dummies".

http://www.organicarchitect.com
--------------------------
POSITION: Project Architect

Candidates must be self-motivated, passionate, and have a high attention to detail. Versatility and adaptability is vital due to the large variety of project types and educational activities in which we are involved.

We are seeking Project Architects who possess the following:
- Minimum 4-7 years architectural experience
- On track for architectural licensure
- Project management experience
- Strong client management skills
- Single-Family Residential experience
- Raw design talent
- Ability to think on your feet
- Outgoing and fun personality (no shy people)

<b>NICE TO HAVE:</b>
- Experience with Vectorworks
- Experience with a Mac (Mac only office)
- LEED AP
- Green design experience, but we will train you
- Experience with the organic design process and the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and Bruce Goff
--------------------------
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Please send all inquiries to the attention of our principal, Eric Corey Freed. All applications should include the following:

* Dated cover letter summarizing your education, experience and future goals.

* Please answer the following questions:
What is wrong with current architecture?
What is the last book you read?
What is the next big thing in design?

* Current resume (with contact info).

* Samples or links to a portfolio of your work. Show only work of which you are proud. If you want them returned, please include a SASE.
--------------------------
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR INFORMATION

Submit Materials via mail to:

Eric Corey Freed, Principal
organicARCHITECT
716 Montgomery Street
Studio Two
San Francisco 94111 USA

Via fax to 415.962.0606

Via email to jobs@organicarchitect.com. Maximum 10MB for attachments, or use a Virtual FTP site

No calls please. No stalkers please.
Fight the urge to drop off your resume in person, unless you're carrying a special surprise (http://www.karascupcakes.com)

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

Natural Building

2007-09-28T13:07:06Z

this October, 19-28, the Quiet Valley Ranch in Kerrville, Texas will host the 2007 Natural Building Convention. there will be around 12 hour days of teaching and learning from some of the best this worlds got. you can pay $735 for the whole time, or $250 for a weekend, it includes food and a camping spot. website is http://www.naturalbuildingtexas.org/

I will be working 4 hours a day, in trade for a reduced admission price, it would be neat to meet some of you there.

here is a list below of the presenters and their qualifications:

List of confirmed presenters/speakers
(updated frequently)

Penny Livingston-Stark of Permaculture Institute of Northern California
Founder
Permaculture Institute of Northern California
http://regenerativedesign.org/

Penny has been working professionally in the land management and development field for 25 years and has extensive experience in all phases of ecologically sound landscape design and construction as well as the use of natural nontoxic building materials. She specializes in site planning and design of resource-rich landscapes, integrating rainwater collection, edible landscaping, pond and water systems, habitat development and watershed restoration for homes, co-housing communities, businesses and diverse-yield perennial farms.

David Eisenberg of Development Center for Appropriate Technologies
Executive Director
Development Center for Advanced Technologies
http://dcat.net/

David Eisenberg co-founded and is Director of the Development Center for Appropriate Technology (DCAT) in Tucson, AZ. His three decades of building experience range from the high-tech, such as the steel and glass cover of Biosphere 2 to building with structural concrete, steel, masonry, wood, adobe, rammed earth, and straw bales. For over a decade David has led the effort to create a sustainable context for building codes. He served two terms on the Board of the U.S. Green Building Council where he founded and chairs the Building Codes Committee. David has presented workshops, seminars, keynote addresses and lectures at international, national and regional conferences and lectured at universities in the U.S. and abroad. David is on the Advisory Board of Environmental Building News and Natural Home magazines and writes a regular column for The Last Straw Journal called "Straw Bale DEtours." He is co-author of The Straw Bale House book and has written dozens of published articles, forewords, book chapters and papers.

Pliny Fisk III and Gail Vittori, Co-Directors of Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems
Co-Directors
Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems
http://www.cmpbs.org/

Loved and recognized the world over, directors of CMPBS Pliny Fisk III and Gail Vittori have been at the forefront of sustainable building--and how it supports human health--since the early Mesozoic. Together they have developed comprehensive building solutions for a huge variety of site and climate conditions in (to name but a few) China, Brazil, Yemen, and... oh, yeah: Texas. They are tireless inventors who dig very deep to find longlasting wisest uses for land, landscape, plants, water, energy, materials and rebar. Gayle has been working on greening the U.S. hospital system. If you have never heard Pliny speak, come wax down your mental surfboard for a wild Biggest-of-The-Big-Picture ride describing how It really could all Work. Then later you can throw away that bottle of Prozac.

Albert Bates of Institute for Appropriate Technology
Executive Director
Institute for Appropriate Technology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Bates/

Albert Bates has been director of the Institute for Appropriate Technology since 1984 and of the Ecovillage Training Center at The Farm in Summertown, Tennessee since 1994. Bates has played a major role in the ecovillage movement as one of the organizers of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN). He was also the principal organizer of the Ecovillage Network of the Americas and served as its president (from 1996 to 2003). In 1994 he founded the Ecovillage Training Center, a "whole systems immersion experience of ecovillage living." He has taught courses in sustainable design, natural building, permaculture and technologies of the future to students from more than 50 nations. His books include Climate in Crisis; Voices from The Farm; The Y2K Survival Guide and Cookbook; The Post-petroleum Survival Guide and Cookbook: Recipes for Changing Times.

Catherine WanekCatherine Wanek & Pete Fust
Author, photographer, innkeeper
Strawbalecentral.com
Black Range Lodge
http://catherinewanek.com/

Catherine Wanek and Pete Fust held the first Natural Building Colloquium in 1995 at their Black Range Lodge in Kingston, NM, where they a creating a center for ecological building and permaculture. Author of The New Strawbale Home and co-author of The Art of Natural Building, and producer of four videos about straw-bale construction, Catherine also published and edited The Last Straw Journal for five years. She also originated the Build Here Now! event at the Lama Foundation near Taos, NM. She and her husband Pete are founding members of Builders Without Borders. Pete has a horticulture degree and spent years tending Sprout Acres, the Permaculture Institute of Southern California. He grows and offers workshops in growing bamboo.

Sun Ray Kelly, custom builder
Builder extraordinaire
http://www.sunraykelley.com/

"I practice or try to practice Organic Architecture. What Organic Architecture means to me is a state of reverence for Nature, an ability to look around at your surroundings and ask yourself the questions How do I live in harmony with my surroundings?”

Carole Crews
Plaster Master of Earthen Finishes
http://carolecrews.com/

Carole Crews approaches natural building as an artist. Drawing from tradition and her own experiments she is able to use many of the same materials in the studio and on the construction site to create luscious surfaces, As a girl making mud pies in an old adobe village near Taos, New Mexico, she never imagined that her play would lead to a career, but after earning her degree in art at U.T. Austin and participating in an adobe building project in 1975, she discovered the compelling nature of clay surfaces and their possibilities as an artistic medium as well. She collaborated with the late Lori Lawyer in 1990 to start "Gourmet Adobe" and has also built an adobe dome with additions west of Taos which offers ample opportunities for ongoing experiments.

Carole has taught at Natural Building Colloquia for the last decade and contributed to several books including The Art of Natural Building and Alternative Construction; Contemporary Natural Building Methods. She is currently working on a book of her own and seeking a publisher.

Tom Watson, septic guru
Septic composting guru

Forget everything you think you know about conventional wastewater system design. Fervent genius Tom Watson has come up with a design which breaks every rule in the book. A "Watson Wick"; (see image, 174K) is a subsurface bio-swale which provides all the advantages of a flush toilet, septic system, and composting toilet. It's is a simple, inexpensive septic system alternative designed to reuse the nutrients and water in black-water for irrigating and feeding a lush oasis of plants surrounding the system.

Mark Lakeman and Lydia Doleman
City Repair
http://www.cityrepair.org/
Portland, Oregon

As both an organization and a larger movement, City Repair inspires and guides the transformation of the grid infrastructure of the typical American city into a vital social commons. Natural building and permaculture are key components of this work. Whether converting street intersections into public squares, or organizing other forms of permanent or ephemeral place interventions, City Repair is effectively engaging citizens in the reinvention of the public landscape. Mark is also the principal of Communitecture, a private design firm specializing in ecological building and planning projects at many scales. Lydia is the lead builder for City Repair.

Brad Lancaster, rainwater harvester, activist
http://www.harvestingrainwater.com/

Living on an eighth of an acre in downtown Tucson, Arizona, where rainfall is less than 12 inches annually, Brad practices what he preaches by harvesting over 100,000 gallons of rainwater a year. Instead of directing rainwater off their property and into storm drains, the gathered water is incorporated into living air conditioners of food-bearing shade trees, abundant gardens, and a thriving landscape that includes habitat for wildlife. Author of Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands, Volumes 1 and 2.

Matts Myhrman, Balus Emeritus, pioneer
Straw bale builders, authors, pioneers
Tucson, Arizona

For the last 20 years Matts and Judy have been on the trail of bales. From the first rumors of hay houses in Nebraska twenty years ago to fire testing for widespread code approval and straw bale igloos, this pair from Arizona had often lead and always influenced the resurgence of bales. They operate an international strawbale education and resource service Out on Bale from Tuscon, AZ. Matts co-authored Build it with Bales with Steve MacDonald.

Kaki Hunter and Doni Kiffmeyer
Earthbag builders and educators
OK OK OK Productions
http://www.okokok.org/

Earthbag building is a modern adaptation that combines the traditional technique of rammed earth in conjunction with high-tech woven polypropylene bags and tubes that act as a flexible form to contain the earth. Arches, niches, curved walls, domes, straight walls are all possible. Based in Moab, Utah and having many years of experience teaching earthbag building workshops, Doni and Kaki can build 'em and show them off like no one else.

Jannelle Kapour and Meka Bunch of Kleiwerks
Founding Director
http://www.kleiwerks.com/

Founding Director and Program Coordinator of Kleiwerks International, Janell is an avid mud mama, international activist, and community organizer. Since 1997, she has shared the joy and art of earthen building with people from 25 countries. Janell co-organized and taught the first earthen building trainings in Thailand, which have since spread to thousands. She has also taught at and co-sponsored events in Argentina, Brazil, New Zealand, Canada, India, and throughout her country of origin, the United States. Janell is dedicated to getting the word out about how easy, affordable, and natural it can be to house ourselves. She is dedicated to the grassroots, to the champion within each of us, and to the possibility that we may learn to live more balanced within ourselves, with eachother, and with this most beautiful planet we are blessed to inhabit.

Coenraad RogmansCoenraad Rogmans
Natural building educator
House Alive!, Jacksonville, Oregon
http://www.housealive.org/

In the summer of 1990 Coenraad and his wife Courtney visited Guatemala for a period of two months with the intention of learning Spanish and exploring the country. They ended up taking a course in organic farming and appropriate technology: solar ovens, photovoltaic, planting corn and rural communities. Since that time, providing uplifting alternatives to industrial consumerism has become a full time occupation. The Rogmans' off-grid homestead in southern Oregon now serves as workshop central and a living example of how one family can thrive in the wealth of sustainable options.

James Thompson
Natural building instructor
House Alive!, Oregon
http://www.housealive.org

In addition to a busy workshop schedule in the US, James has gotten "down and dirty" with cob projects in Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, and Jamaica. He has found his biggest challenge as a natural builder is to figure out how to best help people living in these areas of economic hardship, and is continually amazed at the power of cob to bring people together and lift spirits. He shares reflections on his experiences and offers suggestions for others interested in working in similar situations.

Amazin Walter
Sandsculptor, photographer, magician, clown
http://www.amazinwalter.com

The old "Son of the Beach" himself. A community fixture on South Padre Island along Texas' coast, what some folks call "local color!"

Kiko Denzer
Sculptor, Author
http://www.intabas.com/kikodenzer.html

Earth is a natural material for sculpting and the combination of earth with sand and straw provides an extraordinary structural flexibility that dissolves the division between sculpture and architecture. Kiko started carving stone when he was ten, and still works in stone, wood, and other materials. But earth, and the revival of interest in it as a natural and environmentally friendly building material, have provided a context where art has an essential and practical part in a more sustainable cultural vision. Creation returns to its rightful place as a community endeavor, and people who wouldn't consider tackling a life size sculpture will gleefully build an oven or even a house.
Kiko has authored two books: Build Your Own Earth Oven, and Dig Your Hand in the Dirt

Dr. Richard Burt and Charles W. Graham, Ph.D., A.I.A., F.R.I.C.S
Department of Construction Science, Texas A&M University

Earth Block Construction: It's not about mud anymore! As professors, researchers and administrators Burt and Graham have embraced earthen construction bringing students on to construction sites and mud into the classroom. They will demonstrate and discuss compressed soil block fabrication, soil selection and construction.

Elke Cole, architect and cob builder
Victoria, Canada

Educated in Germany as an architect, in the past thirteen years Elke has seen Canadian natural building evolve from "cob? what’s that?” to "cob! oh yes, how can I have one?” Part of a trio of builders known as "Cobworks”, she has developed "O.U.R. Ecovillage" as a natural building demonstration site along with work in Tanzania and other locations.

Chris Magwood
Straw bale builder, instructor, author
http://www.sustainablebuilding2007.ca

As a partner in Camel’s Back Construction, Ontario, Canada, Chris was involved in designing and building over 40 bale structures. Since leaving Camel's Back three years ago, he has acted as the designer and lead instructor for Fleming College's Sustainable Building Design and Construction program where students are responsible for creation of a cutting-edge sustainable building for a public institution . He has co-authored: Straw Bale Building, More Straw Bale Building and Straw Bale Details.

Christina Ott and Craig Sommers
Cob builder, educator
http://www.barefootbuilder.com/

With no more construction experience than a "basics of cob" workshop Christina began with a small studio in her Florida backyard. Within two years this structure had withstood two major hurricanes including the weight of a fallen oak tree. As Christina says when the "tree hit the cob it just stopped." Since that time Christina and her partner Craig (aka Nature, author of "the Raw Foods Bible) have founded a natural building school in Tennessee. As an emerging builder and educator Christina aims to inspire and empower those who have traditionally been shut out of the building process to create their own healthful and heartful home.

Ben Obregon, architect and straw bale builder
Sustainable Design Center
http://sustainabledesigncenter.com/

Ben writes "I was introduced to straw bale construction by Pliny Fisk and Gail Vittori in 1993 and it opened up a whole new world for me. I have been actively involved with the design, construction, building code and insurance related issues regarding straw bale construction since.

"I believe that, though not appropriate for all climates or design types, a well-constructed straw bale structure can provide thermal and sound insulation far superior to other building systems in it's price range. When you factor in the renewability of the material, the embodied energy of the manufacturing process and the community building aspect of the wall raising process (people from many different economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds all working together for a common goal) straw is truly a special building material."

Massey Burke
Natural builder, educator

A classics scholar, violinist and soprano, Massey recently fled the academic world in search of dirtier work. She appeared in the natural building world working under Michael Smith of Emerald Earth, where she co-teaches the apprenticeship, and at the Real Goods Headquarters in Hopland California, where she is leading the reconstruction of the intern village destroyed in a recent flood.

Joeseph Jenkins
Author, composter king, slate roofer
http://www.josephjenkins.com/

Joe Jenkins started working on slate roofs at the age of 16 in Butler, Pennsylvania under the tutorship of a 63 year-old named Peter Odrey, in 1968. He eventually graduated from college and attended graduate school where he wrote his first book, The Humanure Handbook , as a graduate thesis turned into an underground bestseller, first published in January, 1995. His second book, The Slate Roof Bible, published in 1997, sprang from the slate roof restoration trade he had developed over the years.

Joyce Coppinger
Editor
The Last Straw Quarterly Journal
http://www.thelaststraw.org/

NateEicher
Sawyer with portable bandsaw mill
Smithville, TX

Renegade Amishman Nate specializes in turning local logs into custom lumber. He'll bring his mill on site to slice roof sheathing from local juniper trees.

Lakshman Yapa
Professor of Geography, Penn State
Re-thinking Urban Poverty
http://www.geog.psu.edu/yapa/

Mark Meckes
Bamboo Cultivator and Artisan
Austin, TX
http://www.bamboocraft.net

Derek Roff
Builders Without Borders
University of New Mexico
http://builderswithoutborders.org/index.htm

Steve Kimbel and Molly Curry
Straw Balers

Patt Taylor
Cornerstones Community Partnerships, New Mexico
http://www.cstones.org/

Lauren Ross and Scott Kellog
Rhizome Collective, Austin, TX
http://www.rhizomecollective.org/

Frank Meyer
Natural building craftsman, singer-songwriter
Thangmaker
http://www.thangmaker.com/

In 1993 Frank built the first load-bearing straw bale building in Texas. Since then, he has built or helped build over 40 straw bale buildings. Natural Home and Southern Living magazines have featured one of his projects. He was recently quoted in The New York Times in an article about earthen floors.

As a professional musician for many years, he played bass for such luminaries as B.B. King, Luther Tucker, Peter Rowan and Johnny Gimble. Frank put the bass in the doghouse a few years ago when the urge to write songs struck him. He has since released three all original full length CD's: "Scrounger's Paradise" (2001), "Dagnabit" (2004) and a 2005 children's release "Get Serious Mr. Pancake." Frank's songs range from the sensitive to the hilarious, and from passionate to twisted. Two of his songs have been licensed to movies and his voice can be heard on various T.V. and radio spots. "Savage of Salvage" (Scrounger's Paradise) was recently featured on NPR's "Car Talk."

posted in Green Building - 4 replies

HELP! US Green Building Council's LEED numbers by state?

2007-09-22T07:02:58Z

Saw a LEED architect's powerpoint presentation once that had a count of LEED accredited buildings by state...anyone have a current version by chance?

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

Hi Guys,

2007-09-11T18:12:52Z

Hi Guys,

I have added an Energy Efficiency section to my website- Comments/Suggestions would be great.

Link: http://www.worldofrenewables.com/EnergyEfficiency/index.html

Grant Rowe

World of Renewables
grantrowe@worldofrenewables.com

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

Alternative to grass lawn?

2007-09-07T05:48:36Z

My house is on a 3/4 acre lot. The small front lawn is grass and I plan to leave it as is. If I keep the sprinklers set right it doesn't use that much water or require a lot of maintenance. But... behind the house it's a mess. It never had grass planted so it's mostly weeds. Many of them are prickly and grow tall enough to require mowing. When it really heats up all but the most aggressive ones turn brown and go dormant.

So... I'd like SOMETHING living back there. Something that won't require much water or maintenance, yet will still allow me to walk around in flip flops without getting cut up. I've been putting in more trees, but still need something to fill the area.

In the Winter the temperature gets to around 0 at times, with a fair amount of snow and rain in the Spring. Most of the Summer it's around 90 degrees and very dry.

Any suggestions?

posted in Green Building - 15 replies

would this be of interest?

2007-09-07T01:37:28Z

Hi Tribe,
I have been asked to help produce a 9 day natural building/permaculture event on a new piece of land just south of the Baja border.
I am looking for feedback on all aspects including value,interest and curriculum.
please respond to scottankenypdx@gmail.com
Here are the details...

Oct 27 – Nov 4

Imagine a revolutionary oasis built with your very own hands
as you exercise in natural building and whole system design principles.

Imagine a community of passionate people learning what it means to be human beings,
immersed in an environment of self-expression, of listening, and of appreciation,
while they build beautifully and sustainably.

Introducing GiraSol (Sunflower), a new permaculture settlement breaking ground in November 2007. We invite you to be a part of this amazing experience by participating in a nine-day course designed to bring you competency in Permaculture and Earthen Building Methods.

Imagine yourself as part of that community…Living. Building. Playing.

This nine-day intensive design/build studio will combine natural building techniques (cobb, adobe, stone, straw/clay, passive/active heating systems) with presentations, discussions, exercises, and fun field trips.

GiraSol’s ground-breaking workshop will provide training in regenerative village design, natural construction and permaculture theory while establishing the GiraSol information center through hands-on work. The design will integrate a century-old adobe structure into a whimsical new building, seemingly sprung from the canvas of a Maxfield Parrish painting.

Led by mOceaN (Mark Lakeman), Lydia Doleman and Martin Shulke of Portland’s City Repair Project, the GiraSol Intensive will take place from 10/27/07 to 11/04/07. We will be camping as a group in the beautiful Baja desert, and all meals will be provided.

Basics

Location: GiraSol is a 200-acre parcel situated in Valle de las Palmas (Valley of the Palms), about 20 miles south of the U.S./Mexico Border and 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean between the major cities of Tijuana, Ensenada & Tecate. This new Center is on a vast tract of beautiful land in the valley, along a road from Ensenada to Tecate which is currently under construction. This road will bring unprecedented real estate development to this relatively undisturbed agrarian area. GiraSol strives to be a jewel in the Baja landscape by providing an example of sustainable community design.

Course Description: You will receive training AND become competent in the following areas:

1. regenerative village design and earthen building methods
2. biomass accumulation and use, plastering
3. roof framing
4. integrated landscaping
5. water catchment, re-use, and finishing methods.

Construction will be accompanied by discussions of the ecological features and benefits of each building phase. Through two field trips we will explore the local community by travelling to a wildlife preserve and taking part in Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Daily Activities

6 a.m.
7 a.m.
8 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
Noon
2 p.m.
4–6 p.m.
6:30
8–10 p.m.
Moving Meditation
Breakfast & Daily Overview
Discussion of Daily Work Focus
Begin Field Project Work
Lunch and Siesta at the Lunch Palace
Village Design Discussion
Resume Filed Project Work
Communal Dinner
Evening Presentation/Discussion, Fire Circle

Dates: 10/27–11/04, 2007
Cost: $450

Reservations & Questions: Contact Scott Ankeny at 503.853.9376 or e-mail: scottankenypdx@gmail.com
Curriculum

There will be two tracks of education running at the same time.
Each student will be involved in both activities of building and landscaping

Day 1: Check-in, Orientation, Dinner, Campfire/Permaculture & GiraSol Overview
Day 2: Foundations, Biomass Accumulation*, Dialogue—Strategies and Practices
Day 3: Building Adobe Walls/Other Earthen Building Methods, Village Design & Community Building
Day 4: Adobe Walls, Water & Biomass Accumulation, Swales, Dialogue
Day 5: Plastering Walls, Swales, Natural Building
Day 6: Roof Framing, Tree-Planting in Biomass-filled Swales, Dialogue
Day 7: Field Trip (Ocean), Food Systems, Village Ecosystems, Spa & Special Places
Day 8: Roofing and Water, Water Catchment/Systems, Eco-Intervention
Day 9: Finishing & Systems, Visioning
Day 10: Completion, Afterparty, Departure

*Biomass piece will include the whole process — from mulching to retain rainwater
to improved soil structure resulting in increased food potentials.

Order of Construction
Foundation, Walls, Windows/Doors, Plaster, Framing, Roof

Evening Presentations
GiraSol: Story and Overview
Global Challenge, “Anti-Virus” Plan
Village Design
Inherent Nature
Case Studies of Successful Eco-Centers

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

Green Modular Homes

2007-09-06T19:58:22Z

Has anyone ever lived in one, seen one, bought one, knows of any good manufacturers, etc...? I'm looking for information and would love some suggestions.

posted in Green Building - 19 replies

barbapapa house

2007-09-06T17:41:22Z

I hope this makes you giggle,

http://www.ouvre.com/wp-content/barbapapa-maison.jpg

posted in Green Building - 6 replies

LED grow lights, and LED's in general.

2007-09-04T19:26:41Z

http://www.ledtronics.com/pages/pr_121405.htm
smart, real smart!

posted in Green Building - 3 replies

GREEN RETROFIT ? ? ?

2007-09-02T20:21:45Z

I now own what was my fathers 70's modular prefab basic box on top of rectangular foundation.
Basement plus one floor, approximately 1500 square feet.

so far I'm cleaning out the house and doing minor finishing ( preparing and painting 2 cm / 3/4" thick plywood floors to make rooms easier to keep clean )
I'm still concerned about the details of increasing the envelope performance.

I want to meet the German passivhaus performance standards and have minimum R-40 walls and R-60 roof.

I also want to design and build proper solar utility additions on the south and north ends of the house.

I'm in need of feedback and advise from the "pro's" ( and you are a "pro" )
What may I do that will increase the thermal performance a factor of ten which will not destroy the existing construction?

I'll be stripping the siding and roofing to expose the 2 cm / 3/4" sheathing and excavating the foundation to the footing and out around 1.5 m. / 4' .

I know a complete vapor barrier is needed and I'm concerned about mold and rot.

The wall cavities are currently insulated with 9 cm / 3 1/2" fiberglass

I've been thinking a lot about the possibility of having a positive pressure ventilation in the basement and a negative in house, balanced so the negative pressure in the house is great enough to keep vapor from entering the wall cavities.

Also thinking of a rigid 1" mineral wool "buffer" zone between the sheathing and vapor barrier that would allow "breathing" if the whole house is ventilated in a positive pressure.

Yup - - - I bit off a CHUNK ! ! ! and I really want and intend to do it right.

Hopefully by this time next year there will be accomplishments to talk about.

I should take this message and post it in a "green retrofit" tribe.

posted in Green Building - 4 replies

Use for weeds

2007-08-31T01:29:28Z

I've got some piles of weeds that I've scraped together in my back yard. Is it possible to use them as building material somehow? Is there anything I can do with them besides composting or recycling? Online resource? Weed appreciate it....

posted in Green Building - 18 replies

ola

2007-08-29T19:29:36Z

Hi,

I am looking for informed individuals with a passion for renewable energy
that wish to be part of a small team that runs World of Renewables.

Link: www.worldofrenewables.com

Its a free website so we rely on peoples passion.

We need individuals that are willing to contribute to the site in terms of news articles and
forum topics.
To be a moderator of the site to help members find information and generally promote
Renewable energy/Alternate energy/Susatinabillity.

If you are interested please drop me a line.

Not interested but have views? goto : www.worldofrenewables.com/register.php
And contribute to the forum- all feedback is welcome.

Regards

Grant Rowe
Editor
World of Renewables.com

grantrowe@worldofrenewables.com

my tribe: tribes.tribe.net/renewables (its new)

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

What makes an appropriately appointed resource?

2007-08-29T10:51:57Z

Yesterday I received this notice about a residency program:

'The objective of the Dance Space Residency program is to offer independent dance artists suitable and appropriately appointed resources for the development of their practice, creative development and rehearsal of new work over a period of 14 weeks throughout 2008.'

Does anyone in this tribe have ideas about the design elements that would form an appropriately appointed resource for dance?

posted in Green Building - 0 replies

Co-housing Eco-Village just outside Manchester, UK Looking for Members.

2007-08-26T05:42:14Z

Hello,

We are developing an Eco Village/Cohousing project in the High Peak area. We're currently looking for members, so if you, or someone you know may be interested, have a look at our website at: www.thecohoproject.org. We're currently right at the start of the project, and also welcome help and advice anyone can give us.

Thanks,

Hugo

posted in Green Building - 2 replies