Organic Architecture

Yep

(Source: the-altar)

I watched a film yesterday called “Back to Eden”. It is a documentary about permacultrue, gardening, GOD, and good food. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend that you spend an hour and half to watch it yourself.

The film centers around Pual Gautschi and his Garden in Sequim Washington. Sequim is in the rain shadow of the Olympic Peninsula. It is one of the dryest areas of the state (Crazy because it is west of the Cascades). Paul has an awesome garden and has learned how to grow in this dry enviroment by mimicing nature. (Nature doesnt Till the land, use pesticides or chemical fertilizers)

Paul covers his garden beds with woodchips and that is pretty much it. He doesnt have to water his garden because the woodchips keep the soil moist underneath. Each year in the fall he lays down another layer of woodchips. Over the winter the wood chips decompose creating healthy mineral rich soil underneath. In the spring/early summer when he plants, he plants in the soil beneath the woodchips.

I could type on but it is easier to link the website where the info is all available for free.

http://backtoedenfilm.com 

The Movie is also available on Vimeo

http://vimeo.com/28055108

*Abouth a month ago I weeded a portion of my front yard that should be some sort of garden bed. All that is there is a tree and it tends to be an eyesore. After a week the soil was dry and weeds were coming back. I covered it with woodchips to make it look nicer and to keep the weeds down (This was before watching this video) Last night after watching this film I went out to see what I would find underneath the woodchips. Sure enough the soil was moist and looking much more fertile than it had before.

I really look forward to having a chance to try Paul’s Techniques on my own garden someday.

Another Cool Prefab. Method homes is a company that is local and has a number of projects close to me. Most of their work has a Norhtwest feel with shed style roofing a large windows to bring the outside in.

They also work with Balance Associates an Architecture Firm that has some really cool stuff.

Check out Method Homes @ http://methodhomes.net/

I am not sure what I think about PreFab houses. I seems that a builder would save money, time and materials by building in a controlled enviroment, however I havent seen those cost savings passed on to the consumer. (I guess the company has to pay for there building space).

There are a few local builders that do some cool stuff though.

Check out

http://fabcab.com/

An Earthship with a bit more modern look. See more @ http://www.pinkhammer.blogspot.com/