Natural Building

Building from a place of heart, permaculture, with abundant naturally occuring, local, raw materials, to provide safe, healthy, inspiring shelter.

Natural Building Materials may include mud (clay and sand) ie cob and adobe, straw, stone, sustainably harvested plant materials (timbers, bamboo), acquired with the minimal impact to mother earth, with the minimal energy required.  These materials are used whereever possible in the structure, envelope and climatic controls of a building to reduce the ongoing energy demands of the building.

Natural Building empasizes local and community participation.  Natural buildings breath and rarely contain metals and plastics unless required by local building authorities or for electicity and plumbing.

“Natural Building is any building system which places the highest value on social and environmental sustainability. It assumes the need to minimize the environmental impact of our housing and other supporting systems while providing healthy, beautiful, comfortable and spiritually uplifting homes for everyone.”

-Michael G. Smith