We publish the House Alive! Newsletter about six times a year. With its to-the-point articles and updates on natural building techniques, appropriate technology and design, it is a great way to keep Natural building on the front burner!
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privacy policy!). The current article is displayed below; you can read older articles by following the links on the right.
Posted by Coenraad Rogmans on April 11, 2010 –
I define a good home as “A house where we feel strong connections with people and place.” It’s hard to get around the fact that if you are looking for strong connections with people and place, you will have to spend time with those people and in that place. In other words, if you are seldom at home, the chances of developing strong connections diminish.
“Being home” however, means more than just physically being in the house. The more your house is set up to to be a pleasant place to be, the greater the chance that connections are made. In that light it is of great importance to separate “Being in” spaces from the “going through” spaces.
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Posted by Coenraad Rogmans on February 17, 2010 –
Such simple things, with so many great functions! As a kid I remember in the winter time how important the moment was that we closed the curtains in the evening. It meant that everyone was inside for the night, that food was about to be prepared , that Dad would come home soon and have his first drink, and if we were lucky, he would start a fire in the fireplace.
I think the main reason my parents had curtains in their house was because, well, that’s what everyone did. Houses were supposed to have curtains, anything else just wouldn’t have made sense! The practical reason to have curtains is because they keep the house warmer. In the winter time, most of the heat leaves the house through the ceiling and the windows. Thick wool curtains over the windows can help you give the house the “sweater” it needs. These days most people have mini (or “Venetian”) blinds over their windows. While these might help keep a little heat in, the following experiment can show you just how much: On a cold winter day, take off all your clothes and wrap your self in some mini blinds. Step outside and see what you feel. Then repeat the experiment with a heavy wool curtain. Note the difference! Read More »
Posted by Coenraad Rogmans on December 16, 2009 –
…or how to build a house for about $25 per square foot!
This winter we are engaged in the planning process for a major outreach project on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, where we intend to build a small 2 bedroom house. This exciting project will challenge us on many levels: technologically, logistically, and financially. In the months ahead we will be working on creative solutions to meet these challenges, as well as asking our friends and supporters for help (more on that later…).
The Pine Ridge Reservation is the ancestral home of the Lakota Nation. While visually striking, it is a challenging place to live. Summer temperatures regularly rise over 100 degrees, while winter-time temperatures drop well below zero. High winds and intense rains are possible any time of year. In addition to the environmental challenges, the Lakota people also face a host of serious social challenges: unemployment, poverty, alcoholism, obesity, depression, and more. It is estimated that 80% of the Lakota people are homeless and must rely on relatives for housing during the winter months.
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