Natural Building

Natural building uses locally-sourced, renewable, and minimally-processed materials to create structures that are harmonious with the environment and healthful for occupants.

This method of construction emphasises sustainability, affordability, and energy efficiency, drawing inspiration from traditional building techniques and indigenous knowledge.

Common materials used in natural building include earth (such as cob, adobe, and rammed earth), wood, straw, stone, and clay. These materials offer benefits such as thermal mass, breathability, and low embodied energy, making natural buildings comfortable to inhabit and environmentally friendly.

Techniques employed in natural building include straw bale construction, cob building, timber framing, earth-bag construction, and light clay construction (also known as "straw-clay").

Natural building not only reduces the environmental impact of construction but also fosters a deeper connection to the land and promotes community involvement through hands-on building processes.

Additionally, natural buildings often exhibit unique aesthetic qualities that reflect the beauty of their natural materials and the creativity of their builders.

As interest in sustainable and eco-friendly construction practices continues to grow, natural building offers a compelling alternative to conventional methods, embodying principles of environmental stewardship, resourcefulness, and resilience.