Alternative building materiels

I have discovered a wealth of knowledge on the internets about alternative building materials. I learned about bamboo a few weeks ago when I posted that blog- but did you know you could build houses out of corn cob? straw bales? cement? mud!?

All of this is ever so interesting, right? When ever I thought of alternative buildings I thought like rainforest, or the mud huts from thousands of years ago. But apparently- behind the building boom in the suburbs, the process of building weird, but efficient and green homes, is expanding.

For instance- using recycled tires both in the construction and the landscaping of your home is more helpful than I thought. Shredded tires provide help with drainage and structure while whole tires (IMHO) make adorable planters.


The method that has most struck me is straw bale house design. Its fascinating! Not only do you not see the straw, because its inside the walls, but it cuts down dramatically on your heating and cooling bills by providing necessary insulation to the whole home- without using the manufactured shit thats giving people cancer.