We build houses that stay cool in heatwaves even when the power goes out. Interested? Then we’re going to have to talk about insulation, thermal mass, and passive systems. I know those are boring words but put them together right and they get very sexy results. Talking about electric engines is boring, driving a Tesla …
Tag: natural building
Reducing embodied carbon, storing carbon, and reversing climate change with biogenic materials like straw
Here is a short video we made for San Diego’s Sustainable Building Week 2021 about how biogenic materials – such as straw – not only reduce the carbon emissions associated with construction, they can even trap and store carbon in buildings, helping to reverse climate change. Running April 12 -16, 2021, Sustainable Building Week highlights …
Check out our new natural plaster website
Interested in learning more about natural plasters? Check out our new website: www.naturalplastersandiego.com
Thoughts on begrudgingly coming to love lime plaster
When I consider what plaster to use, I always think of clay plaster first. I love clay plaster, it has so much going for it. In terms of minimizing environmental impact and carbon footprint, you cannot beat clay plaster. It is minimally processed, needs no additives, and can be sourced locally. Building well with straw …
Limestrong lime plaster training March 14-15
We are excited to announce that we are hosting a training in Limestrong lime plasters at our current job site! These natural, durable plasters are perfect for existing homes as well as new construction. Join Ryan Chivers, owner and formulator of Limestrong Mineral Finishes, for a hands-on lime plaster weekend training at our current project …
Straw-clay workshop 2/16/19
Learn about building with straw-clay at this hands-on workshop. Straw-clay is a method of filling in a wall with a mixture of straw and clay that, once dry, is good insulation and creates a surface you can plaster right over. It is a non-toxic, versatile, and user-friendly way to add natural insulation to any space.
Strawbale Building Hands-on Workshop 2/9/19
There are still a few spots left for the Strawbale Building Workshop we will be teaching at Terra Corazon Farm in Valley Center on Sat., Feb 9, 2019, as part of the San Diego Sustainable Living Institute’s new Natural Building Program. This will be a fun day spent in a relaxed and safe environment learning …
Want to visit a strawbale house, touch clay plaster, or sit on a cob bench? Green Homes Tour 10/21/18
Interested in seeing some of our work in person? Here’s your chance: three projects we worked on will be open to the public on the Green Homes Tour on Sunday, Oct 21, 2018, from 10 am – 4 pm. The Tour is an annual event hosted by the San Diego chapter of the Green Building …
Fallgren Strawbale Home will be featured on SDGBC’s Green Homes Tour Oct 2018
The Fallgren strawbale home, recently certified a Net Zero Energy Building through the Living Building Challenge, will be featured on this year’s Green Homes Tour! The tour is Sunday, October 21, 2018 from 10 am – 4 pm at locations all over the county. More info and registration can be found here. *** Update: There are …
Earthbag workshop Sept 29, now Sat only!
Earthbag Hands-on 1-day Workshop Sat, Sept 29, 2018, Campo, CA Learn about earthbag building from trained professionals in a fun and supportive environment while helping to build a real project. During this one day workshop, you will learn the whys and hows of this low-impact, sustainable building technique and have a chance to put that …