Reclaimed Timbers
Check out our latest Podcast on Reclaimed Timbers, and interview with Jake Jacob of Pacific Northwest Timbers in Port Townsend. It is posted as Part One and Part Two on our Eco-Logical Home...
Read MoreAdventures in Reuse
We all know the RE trilogy by now – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. There is a reason they are listed in this order – Reducing our consumption is the most important of the three. If we Reduce the amount of stuff we bring into our homes, there is less to Reuse and Recycle later. In a consumer society Reducing is often the most difficult to accommodate – the other two are easier. Recycling has gotten quite popular since the process is so familiar – you can still buy just as much stuff but by separating your trash you can now clear your conscience! However, we’re still...
Read MoreStraw Bale Homes for Disaster Relief
When people find out we design and help build straw bale homes, the response varies from uncertain curiosity to animated glee. The first question is always “do straw bale homes work around here?” and my answer is always “yes, on most sites,” followed by an explanation of our approach depending on the situation. We never push it, but are happy to help people find the best solution using straw bales if that fits their dream. Straw bale homes aren’t for everyone around here, but there are places in the world where they are so much better than other available options. Consider the...
Read MoreConnective Thinking
I spent this past weekend with my tribe, as one of 90+ members of the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild who gathered at Pilgrim Firs Retreat Center in Port Orchard, WA. This annual event is our venue to share stories, ideas, and camaraderie – and I’m still buzzing with the higher vibration created by our time together. Made up mostly of very small business owners in the sustainable design and construction industry, this group’s kinship is rare and necessary. In clear contrast with the typical gathering of industry professionals, where competition and veiling of secret formulas for success is...
Read MoreJumping into the Water
I stand at the edge of the pier looking across the horizon and down into the deep water. My toes are curled around the cool aluminum edging as I anticipate the freshening wash below. Deep breath, ready, and … dive in! A new world suddenly envelopes me that looks, feels, and sounds at once alien and hauntingly familiar. Welcome to our new blog, Eco-Notes. We’ve been talking about a blog for years and are excited to now be in the swim. We know there will be different strokes needed to move us through the waves; sometimes we’ll skim the surface, other times dive into oncoming...
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