Bernhard Masterson Natural Building
Presentation for the Village Building Convergence
I often give presentations about natural building for schools and organizations. The following is an overview I presented to site organizers for the 2018 Village Building Convergence in Portland, Oregon.
| vbc_site_host_presentation_2018.pdf |
Articles and Inspiring Photos
One of the best resources on the web for info on natural homes is NaturalHomes.org. Many articles, great photos, workshops listed, international scope.
Building Codes and Related Content
U.S. Building codes have taken several big steps forward in recent years. There is now national code for
Natural builder Cari Corbet-Owen and her colleague Shannon Valstar have produced an excellent two part documentary on owner-built natural homes and codes. They offer fine insights through interviews and commentary. Watch them both to understand the issues and what we can do to move toward more sustainable lifestyles and society.
Part 1 - Why we need hand built homes
Part 2 - Hand built small homes and the building codes
Portland, Oregon has recognized that because codes set a minimum standard they actually inhibit construction materials and practices that go beyond the minimum. To address this the city Bureau of Development Services set up the Alternative Technology Advisory Committee to review and approve sustainable alternatives to prescriptive code. They have posted their approved guidelines for Light-Straw-Clay, Rocket Mass Heaters, and cob for use in building fireplaces.
While not exclusively focused on natural building the Code Innovations Database put together by the Northwest Eco Building Guild is a rich resource of more sustainable solutions that have been approved and documented by building officials around the U.S.
- Straw-bale national code - Appendix S.
- Light-straw-clay national code - Appendix R
- Cob code introduction. National code for load bearing cob - Appendix U approved for inclusion in the 2021 International Code Council residential building code.
Natural builder Cari Corbet-Owen and her colleague Shannon Valstar have produced an excellent two part documentary on owner-built natural homes and codes. They offer fine insights through interviews and commentary. Watch them both to understand the issues and what we can do to move toward more sustainable lifestyles and society.
Part 1 - Why we need hand built homes
Part 2 - Hand built small homes and the building codes
Portland, Oregon has recognized that because codes set a minimum standard they actually inhibit construction materials and practices that go beyond the minimum. To address this the city Bureau of Development Services set up the Alternative Technology Advisory Committee to review and approve sustainable alternatives to prescriptive code. They have posted their approved guidelines for Light-Straw-Clay, Rocket Mass Heaters, and cob for use in building fireplaces.
While not exclusively focused on natural building the Code Innovations Database put together by the Northwest Eco Building Guild is a rich resource of more sustainable solutions that have been approved and documented by building officials around the U.S.
Excellent Books
I think you can go along way by studying good books and then just trying stuff out. Many natural building techniques are pretty forgiving and you'll learn much from a few imperfections. Here are a few of my favorite references. I encourage you to check them out from your library. If your library doesn't have them request that they add them to their collection. And when I purchase books, I try to either buy them directly from the author or my local brick and mortar bookstore. Happy reading.
- The Natural Building Companion by Jacob Deva Racusin and Ace McArleton
- The Hand Sculpted House by Ianto Evans, Linda Smiley, and Michael Smith
- Build Your Own Earth Oven by Kiko Denzer
- The Art of Natural Building editors Kennedy, Smith, Wanek
- The Natural Plaster Book by Cedar Rose Guelberth
- Rocket Mass Heaters by Ianto Evans and Leslie Jackson
- Building With Cob by Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce
- Using Natural Finishes by Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce
- Roundwood Timber Framing by Ben Law
- The Natural Building Companion by Jacob Deva Racusin and Ace McArleton
- The Hand Sculpted House by Ianto Evans, Linda Smiley, and Michael Smith
- Build Your Own Earth Oven by Kiko Denzer
- The Art of Natural Building editors Kennedy, Smith, Wanek
- The Natural Plaster Book by Cedar Rose Guelberth
- Rocket Mass Heaters by Ianto Evans and Leslie Jackson
- Building With Cob by Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce
- Using Natural Finishes by Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce
- Roundwood Timber Framing by Ben Law
Places to find more workshops
- Naturalhomes.org
- Natural Building Network
- Cobworkshops.org
- The Village Building Convergence and the City Repair Project in Portland, Oregon
.
- Natural Building Network
- Cobworkshops.org
- The Village Building Convergence and the City Repair Project in Portland, Oregon
.
Other Northwest Builders and Teachers
A short list of friends and associates.
- House Alive in Jacksonville, Oregon
- Day One Design in Eugene, Oregon
- Flying Hammer in the Applegate Valley, Oregon
- House Alive in Jacksonville, Oregon
- Day One Design in Eugene, Oregon
- Flying Hammer in the Applegate Valley, Oregon
