My
interest in alternative construction or natural building goes back to at least
my late teens. While living in Red Feather Lakes I was exposed to a variety of
interesting folks who definitely did not fit into the normal social paradigm.
From tree houses, to modern day homesteaders who were literally living off the
land, to multi generation mountain folk whom had their own 19th century
belt drivin, off grid machine shop and foundry. I was also introduced to books
like Homework , Homemade Houses, and books that featured folks who had turned
old trucks and busses into comfortable homes. As someone living on my own throughout
my teens and early 20’s these all had a powerful influence on me.
Later
on through my 20’s I would be turned on by the Earthship books by Micheal
Renalds, Living the Good Life by Helen and Scott Kneering and Bill Mollison’s
Permaculture: a Designers Manual. During this time I started to here of
Strawbale. This was some time in the late 80’s and early 90”s and there was
something that really rang true to me about that kind of construction. At the
time there really wasn’t much literature on the subject but the idea--- it just
stuck with me.
At
the same time I was finishing up a 10 year career in ski bumming and as I was
nearing my 30’s I began to burn out on the lifestyle. I mean really, if you are
thinking of yourself as a granola crunching, tree huggin, 3-pinnen hippy
carrying the weight of the world----well, ya can’t be livin much higher on the
carbon and economic food chain than living at 10,000 feet, riding a chairlift
every day, and workin for tips off the more well to do folks of society. Or at
least that’s how I began to see it. No offence.
So
that’s when I decided to buy some off the grid property and take my own stab at
“Living the Good Life” and sustainability and all that stuff that really is ever elusive and not
that easy to attain. But, in my opinion is sure is worth the try. I mean you
gotta believe in something. Right! Anyhow, I went about finding a local
Strawbale Guru and and a small little self-published guide called Build it with
Bales by Matts Myhrman. Soon I found myself building a Tire and strawbale
addition to an old historic log miners cabin that I was also remodeling on the
property that I had purchased.
After
starting that project I was approached locally by someone who wanted me to help
design and build her home. It was also a tire and Strawbale hybrid.
Ten
years and eight homes later; which I designed and built, and with a lot of
research and reading I now feel confident, inspired and obliged to share the
knowledge and passion I have acquired.
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