Sustainable Building & Design

Two green rain barrels by a house showcase rainwater harvesting amid lush greenery and a tree.

Rainwater Harvesting 101: An Ancient Practice for Modern Water Security

In today’s blog excerpt from Essential Rainwater Harvesting, Rob and Michelle Avis share simple, evidence-based ways to design, build, and maintain rainwater systems for any home, in any climate.

Water splashing up from the surface of a dark container in mid-air.

Rainwater Harvesting for Garden Irrigation

This season has sparked a surge of interest in rainwater harvesting, as more people look for sustainable ways to make the most of heavy rainfall. With climate change bringing both…

The Benefits Of Using Hempcrete in Your Construction Projects

Hempcrete is a promising sustainable building material. It’s a green alternative to composites such as concrete, mortar and plaster. In this excerpt from Essential Hempcrete Construction: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide,…

It’s Time for Cob Building to Come out of the Woods

I am probably the first person in history to have written or co-written three books on cob construction, an ancient method of earthen building that has been enjoying a revival…

A sprawling 2-story yellow cob home with solar panels and a grass roofs.

Environmental Benefits and Performance of Cob Construction

Essential Cob Construction sets the new standard for cob construction by incorporating rigorous, up-to-date engineering and building science, along with decades of practical lessons learned. Let’s explore the environmental benefits…

Have You Ever Dreamt of Having a Roof Capable of Producing Food?

While we move through our holiday sale, today we’re dreaming of a green roof that isn’t only beautiful and insulating but is also capable of growing food. Places such as…

Wood and plaster home with wooden porch supports.

Natural Plasters and Climate Change: Plastering in a New Paradigm

Tina Therrien, co-author of Essential Natural Plasters, has been working with natural plasters for decades. Today, Tina examines the role of natural plasters in adapting buildings within the context of…

Rainwater storage at the side of a building

The basics of rainwater harvesting

Rainwater collection can help ease pressure on both local watersheds as well as regional water infrastructure, while also providing some peace of mind to the homeowner – and a lower…

A modern living room with large floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing a wooded outdoor view features a gray sectional sofa adorned with yellow-patterned throw pillows. The room is complemented by a coffee table displaying decorative items and a sleek metal wood-burning stove positioned beside an area stacked with firewood, all of which emphasize the concept highlighted in the Social_Excerpt_building-with-materials-found-onsite.

Earth Rammed Construction: Building With Materials Found On Site

Using rammed earth for construction appeals to people for a variety of different reasons. It could be a desire to be sustainable, the appeal of having the natural beauty inside…

Sustainable Building & Design

Rainwater Harvesting 101: An Ancient Practice for Modern Water Security

Rainwater Harvesting for Garden Irrigation

The Benefits Of Using Hempcrete in Your Construction Projects

It’s Time for Cob Building to Come out of the Woods

Environmental Benefits and Performance of Cob Construction

Have You Ever Dreamt of Having a Roof Capable of Producing Food?

Natural Plasters and Climate Change: Plastering in a New Paradigm

The basics of rainwater harvesting

Earth Rammed Construction: Building With Materials Found On Site

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