photo by dawnzy
Natural houses
There is something very appealing about a “natural house” made of wood, clay, and straw. One of the most handsome examples of natural houses I have come across is called an EcoNest. I think a large part of their success comes from the close partnership of an architect and a builder working together.
History
Paula Baker was an architect who was getting sick visiting her own projects while they were under construction. Instead of leaving architecture she studied healthier building materials and wrote the book Prescriptions for a Healthy House.
Meanwhile Robert Laporte was a home builder whose drive to find a more wholesome approach took him to Germany where he learned about straw/clay wall construction.
After Paula went to a workshop Robert put on about his way of making healthier buildings they developed a business partnership—which eventually led to a personal partnership as well.
Construction
What they came to call an EcoNest is a compact timber frame house with light clay walls that breathe naturally. The graceful wood post and beams (often from local trees) are fully visible on the inside. Wrapped around them are twelve inch thick walls of clay and chopped straw mixed together and tamped into place. These walls breathe naturally, letting moisture pass in and out of the home.
Outside deep roof overhangs protect the natural clay plaster finish. Inside clay plasters are tinted subtle greens, blues, and rusts and mica is mixed in to make them sparkle. I’ve seen them myself on a trip to New Mexico, and they are even more beautiful in person!
Right for California?
For all of their appeal I do wonder about EcoNests’ appropriateness for California. All that clay is heavy, and lighter-weight buildings work better in earthquake country. And while their thermal mass works well in the Southwest, pure insulation is probably the better way to go in much of California.
Take a look at the pictures at the EcoNest website and let me know what you think of these handsome natural homes.
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