Clay plastered interior wall of Garden Cabin
Yestermorrow Natural Building Intensive '07
Masonry
Stone and brick are ancient building materials. Pefect for foundations, walls, floors, walkways, and landscaping.
Straw Bale
Straw bale construction has grown in many parts of the world, particularly in the south-western United States. Straw bale walls offer great insulation and fire resistant properties. It makes a great infill for a timber frame building, or can be load-bearing, carrying the weight of the roof.
Slip Straw
Slip straw, or light straw/clay, is a combination of loose straw and clay slip packed into forms. Slip straw is a great infill wall system, offering insulation and heat-retention properties. Perfect for retrofitting stud frame walls or timber frames.
Living Roofs
Living roofs are becoming more and more popular, especially in heavy urban areas. They offer reclaimed green space and ecosystem reconnection which has been taken away by the concrete below, allowing space for populations of birds, plants, and insects to live.
Earthen Floors
Earthen floors have been used for centuries and are still used in many parts of the world. When properly coated and maintained, they offer a very durable finish floor, and have wonderful thermal mass properties.
Wood
Wood is one of the most common building materials. Natural building prioritizes using renewable, sustainably-harvested wood. Wood can be used in many different ways, from frames to floors, from trim to furniture.
Cob
Cob has been around for hundreds of years. The word "cob" is an old English word describing a mixture of sand, clay, straw, and water. Once dry, cob is a very durable material. Built thick enough, it has load-bearing capabilities. Cob has been used from ancient times up to the present day, throughout the world.
Natural Plasters/Paints
Natural plasters and paints offer healthy and beautiful wall finishes free of toxic chemicals. Lime or clay plasters are great for straw bale, slip straw, or cob walls, as well as for gypsum wall board or other conventional surfaces. Natural paints can be added to any home, and can be made in a variety of colors, rich in natural tones and hues.
Thatch
Thatch has been used to provide roofs for buildings for centuries, and is a totally natural roof system. Thatch has been used in northern climates such as England and northern Europe, as well as tropical climates such as Thailand and the Pacific Islands. Thatch is a craft rich in history and tradition.
Reclaimed Materials
The modern construction industry creates massive amounts of waste from the building process. Salvaged wood, doors, windows, insulation, piping, wires, concrete chunks, and more, can all be used. Natural building uses this "waste" in an attempt to reduce the impact on the world.
