Concrete - it's anywhere we look! And though it has enabled humanity to build enormous steel-enforced skyscrapers and infrastructure like bridges and tunnels, it feels dull. It's grey and not particularly beautiful to look at. It is somehow removed from a natural and earthy feel. "A modern abomination", some die-hard hippies would say ;)
But if not concrete, then what? If we want to build shelter, walls or staircases on the micro scale there are many traditional ways of doing so, using only materials the Earth provides readily. One of the best showcases of such natural building techniques I have come across is freely available on youtube: The Nito Project.
A real beauty of craftsmanship and video creation
What is so marvelous about the Nito project is that we can not only learn a ton about natural building materials, styles and techniques... we also get to soak up the feel of warmth and aesthetics that accompany this documentation of artisan craftsmanship. A great channel to get lost in, and though there are just a few dozen videos the quality is excellent.
Want to see how a bathroom can look, using traditional Moroccan plaster?
How about painting your house with Earthen colors that have previously been extracted from clay soils in your area?
How about the construction of a mesmerizing workshop?
Watching these has given me a real sense of possibility! I know I have none of these skills yet, but everybody's gotta start somewhere. And referencing these videos seems like a good way for me to learn. Especially combined with people's feedback, using things like the permies.com forum
Now all I need is a garden and an old run-down house to prop up again. And a lot of experience, ahahah ;)
If you wish to learn more about building things with mud, clay, straw and even toilet paper - this channel is for you. If you want to enjoy master craftsmanship for its pure aesthetics without any talking - the channel is for you. It's hypnotic to watch and a real pleasure to see the works come together when someone with such skill does their thing. It never ceases to amaze me how good human beings can get at something.
If you dig the channel, won't you let me know in the comments? I have downloaded all their videos and put them on the doomsday hard drive, just in case.
Hope this pointer will bring you some benefit as well. Enjoy!
