Environmentally aware sustainable housing is not only better for you and the biosphere, it costs less and is cheaper to build, while providing better value.

An earthship is built with earth and garbage, like tires, cans and glass. straw bale houses are made of straw bales, returning the best insulation value for least money.

People are building both types of houses all over the world in different climate conditions and having great results.

The best sustainable house in the world- Simon Dale

Earthships in Sweden

straw bale in Sweden

two videos on straw bale in sweden

Other resources outside of Sweden

solar haven

Jim and Mindy Phypers set out to build their own self-sufficient home on four acres in the sonoran desert.

They have a wonderful article on errors to avoid when building a house – make sure to respect regulations and beware bitchy neighbors!

they have now moved but the webpage remains.

sample “proper ” straw bale house budget- what it cost to build in their case 80 thousand Us dollars

good notes on a rubble trench foundation, of course in Sweden there are lots of rocks and you can just build on stilts get support from the rock foundation. check out the blog too.