About House Alive
House Alive! started as an organization in 2001. Its primary activity is to teach workshops about Natural Building, natural design and appropriate technology. We also offer consulting services, do presentations and seminars and work to promote natural building as a real alternative to conventional construction methods.
Our concerns go beyond just buildings, which we hope to reflect in our approach, our presentation on the web and our workshops. We care about community, health, our environment, social justice and a peaceful world.
Most of our work has taken place in the western United States. However, we have also done projects in Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Jamaica, Spain and on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota.
Besides preparing and teaching workshops, lots of our time is taken answering people’s questions, writing articles, doing research and organizing/participating in community events.
Services we offer:
* Workshops. We have taught workshops all over the world and the United States, in lengths varying from 1 day to 6 weeks. We do private workshops as well as workshops for organizations such as retreat centers, communities and NGO’s.
* International projects and workshops. There is a worldwide need for affordable, comfortable housing that doesn’t depend on destructive resource extraction. In working with people in other countries we can learn from one another and strengthen our resolve to build sensible housing. We have extensive experience working with diverse communities in several countries.
* Consulting services. We have helped many people get started in Natural Building, not only through our workshops, but also through consulting with them on design, siting, the use of materials, working with building codes, installing floors and plasters, and more. Often our consultation has included short seminars or work projects where we would help the owner/builder on his or her way. To see if you could benefit from our consulting services, you may want to browse through our archived articles to familiarize yourself with our approach to design and building.
* Digital slide shows and presentations. We are always available to give presentations about Natural Building to groups and organizations. Contact us if you would like more information.
We are always looking for people who want to contribute, volunteer, learn, teach, join and have a good time with us!