Natural Building

"Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For indeed, that is all who ever have." --Margaret Mead

It is very difficult to build a "totally" natural building, however, this is what we strive for, and here are some of the reasons: When we do natural building, we eliminate many toxins both in the living environment and in the manufacturing of some highly processed and synthetic materials. We also use less fossil fuel, thereby conserving our natural resources and contributing less green house gas to the atmosphere. Natural building does this first by using materials with less embodied energy and secondly by using materials with naturally high thermal value properties.

Natural buildings also "feel" better and in many cases look better.

Cob Fireplace

What are we doing towards making a natural house? We use and advocate the use of reclaimed and unmilled wood, we use and recommend the use of low VOC finishes and use locally available materials wherever possible. We build walls of straw and floors of clay. We can help you do the same.

Adobe recording studio owned by Jim Eno of the rock band Spoon

Adobe bricks made in Austin Texas with sand and clay mortar.
These bricks have been sealed with a wheat paste sealer.

What is Adobe? Adobe bricks are made of clay, sand, straw and water. The mixture is poured into brick forms and dried in the sun. Real old fashion adobe is not fired and has no chemical or cement additives.

What is cob? Cob is basically the same mixture as adobe but is generally mixed with less water and is applied in "cobs" (could be Welsh for "gob") and sculpted on the wall rather than cast in bricks.