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First open source 10 star earth dwelling

May 28, 2013

Luke Mahony

living small

Earth buildings has traditionally been open source. We are going to provide open source building designs that are thermally very efficient plus being comfortable and healthy to live in.

As well as having low to nil running costs, they will also have a low construction cost with low embodied energy. Click here to view our open source house plans or view our first design Sun Salutations.

Being open source, we are happy to talk to other people in enabling efficient earth building throughout the world. Hopefully we will have a another smaller plan out soon.

Efficient House design principles

May 16, 2013

Luke Mahony

how thermal mass worksI am often asked where to go to get more information on solar passive and sustainable designs. I always suggest this Australian government web site, Your Home. It has a technical guide to help the design, construction or renovation of homes to be comfortable, healthy and more environmentally sustainable. The passive design section gives a great explanation of an efficient house and has a great run down on thermal mass!

It also gives 25 case studies of new houses and renovations. It also provides a checklist which would be handy to take to meeting with architects, designers or display homes.

Rammed Earth Pool Shelter in Newcastle, Hunter Valley

May 6, 2013

Luke Mahony

2012-01-31 17.00.03

These are some rammed earth walls constructed in Newcastle, NSW Australia for cob oven and pool side shelter. It uses a Ryteck sandwich panel roof. Not 100% sold on this roofing system, but offers lots of possibilities with a quick construction and good insulation for remote areas locations. Obviously designed for that climatic zone!

2012-01-31 16.15.36

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