The Natural Building Collective Blog
Straw bale walls prove resilient in the face of fires
2017 saw the devastating effects of fire across the world. In South Africa we witnessed fires in the Garden route, Gordon's bay and Cape Point to name a few. The devastating California wild fires left thousands homeless. Yet, straw bale houses have proved to be...
Natural Homes Conference: 9 – 11 March 2018, Prague
With an exciting line-up of natural builders and designers from around the world, you better be prepared to be inspired and learn from some of the world's leading pioneers in the field of natural building. It is a rare opportunity to be able to gather with so many...
A brief look ahead at our natural building courses for 2018
Attend our natural building course and take the first step to a sustainable future by learning hands-on natural building skills. Learn a whole range of materials and techniques while exploring questions around sustainable living based in Peter McIntosh’s experience...
Thanks for an awesome 2017!
"The future belongs to the few of us still willing to get our hands dirty." - Roland Tiangco As the end of the year approaches, we want to wish you well over the festive season, and thank you for your support in 2017. You helped us finish the Delft Early Childhood...
Q&A with Anita Venter, from Start Living Green grassroots development in Bloemfontein
In honour of women's day we asked Anita Venter a few questions about her grassroots development initiative using sustainable building methods in Bloemfontein. We have great admiration for the shack replacement initiative and what she has done to empower her change...
We need your help with our crowdfunding campaign
We’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign because we really need your help to finish building the edu-centre in Delft so carers from informal crèches can get training in early childhood development. We are busy building a passive solar, earth sheltered building out of...
Join us for a unique free, natural and sustainable learning opportunity
We recently embarked on our first Sustainable Building Course with Earth and Tyres in collaboration with international NGO rockstars Long Way Home. You may have been eager to join in, but due to time or financial constraints had to sit it out? The sustainable building...
Guest post: Hybrid alternative and natural building blocks at the Delft ECD (Early Childhood Development Centre)
In Delft, an impoverished township on the outskirts of the Cape Flats, local government is changing its approach to building early childhood development centres with a pioneering project showcasing a hybrid of natural building methods and up-cycled waste materials. By...
Announcing natural building course dates for 2017
Attend our natural building course this year and learn some essential practical skills to help you on your way to living the off-grid dream. We are thrilled to announce that both our courses will be held at Jakkalskloof bio-dynamic training farm in Swellendam this...
Q&A with Paul Marais, award-winning architect specializing in rammed earth
We catch up with Paul Marais about his award-winning off grid, rammed earth house in Maun, Botswana. First off, congratulations on winning the Afrisam-SAIA Award for Sustainable Architecture + Innovation for Sustainable Product/Technology for your design of the rammed...