“Inhabitat.com is a weblog devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future.”

Cool ideas for our house in the architecture section.

(thanks Lauren

Check out the Treehouse Institute of Arts and Culture

These people took the idea of building a house in a tree seriously! And they even have a treehouse institute for those who want to learn everything there is to learn about building a treehouse! Do I fancy a house in a tree?

“The goal of the tiny house blog is to discover the different options available for a person looking to down size into a tiny house or cabin. I will be looking at different type of construction, from logs, to yurts to modern and the unusual. I will also do book reviews, look at alternate energy for heat and electricity.”

I totally share Kent Griswold’s love for tiny spaces… I don’t know what it is about them, they feel safer, more playful, cozy… and then it doesn’t take as long to clean the house…

My friend Søren told me about Shelter Publications and has shown me a few of their books. Their book “Shelter” is a classic, with many beautifully illustrated ways of building a home or a shelter. From many cultures. Check it out for inspiration: shelterpub

Søren has built his own very sustainable Straw Bale House: halmhus
He also owns two Mongolian Yourts and two few circus wagons. Among other interesting things. When I saw the Yourts I instantly thought of you

Love
Thomas

This is what they write about people who come to esalen “They come for the intellectual freedom to consider systems of thought and feeling that lie beyond the current constraints of mainstream academia.”

Here is the catalogue as well

EsalenCatalog2009b-JulyDec

Fotos bien bonitas e impresionante detalle y conocimiento sobre las plantas.

Esto es lo que dice mariasimona sobre su blog:

“Aquí encontrarán un inventario de los árboles y plantas de un jardín en construcción y de un bosque nativo. También podrán ver los procesos del oficio de jardinero, como la manera de tener compost siempre a mano. Los problemas y las dfificultades del mantenimiento de las plantas serán siempre un tema de discusión, y por supuesto también los logros y los hallazgos.

No es el blog de un profesional del oficio, más bien me declaro en taller permanente. Bienvenidos.”

Visite el diario de un jardin en construccion >>>

“El sistema de drenaje que utilizamos se hace con material reciclado. Para el sustrato donde se pone la capa verde acudimos a escoria de acero o desechos de demolición como ladrillo o bloque inutilizado. Además, para el soporte del material vegetal usamos, a cambio de tierra negra, compostaje fruto de la recolección o reutilización de desechos orgánicos que se producen en la plaza de abastos o incluso en las propias cocinas de cualquier hogar” – RICARDO ANDRÉS IBÁÑEZ GUTIÉRREZ -  maestria en construccion y arquitectura UNAL.

Ver el articulo completo sobre techos verdes >>>

Live in harmony with the nature,
Learn from the nature, and
Recover the health in the nature.

Konohana Family is an organic agricultural community which is almost 100% self-sustained, located at the foothill of Mt. Fuji, living as a big family of 47 people (as of November, 2007). There are 11 children, 4 teenagers and 32 adults.

In 1994, the original 20 members moved to Fujinomiya city, Shizuoka Prefecture, hoping to live together and help each other beyond the generation gap and the family relationship. We founded
“Konohana Nouen (Farm)”, that is the original form of Konohana Family. The name of “Konohana” comes from the Goddess of Mt. Fuji, “Konohana sakuya hime no mikoto”.

Since the foundation, the Family has established an original life style based on the spirit of harmony. Everyone plays a great role in the community where he or she can make the most of his or her ability.
Following a natural flow of energy, each member works for the good of the whole group, making sure that what needs to be done is done.

Download a PDF file with the full story of the konohana family:

Konohana family

And some of their views on Sustainable Organic Agriculture, New Harmonious Society, Natural Therapy Program etc.

If you want to practice your japanese here is their website.

Images of tree houses. Wood that is curved, not straight. Big leaves. Fat rain drops that behave like mini-sun-prisms. Huts. Group processes.

Syha

Outsiders-in Insiders out