Builders
Without Borders
is an international network of ecological builders who advocate the use
of straw, earth and other local, affordable materials in construction.
We believe that the solution to homelessness is not merely housing, but
individuals and communities trained to house themselves.
To this end, we organize and promote hands-on workshops and learning events, create educational books, CD-ROMs and videos. and partner with other organizations to build affordable sustainable housing. Since our inception in 1999, we have organized and supported projects from Mexico, to Israel, South Africa, Siberia, and Mongolia, and Native American land… (read more)
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For announcements of upcoming projects and workshop opportunities, sign
up for our email
newsletter.
Educational Resources Fund Builders Without Borders created a Strawbale Construction Curriculum, and donates this training manual, plus other books and videos, to worthy people and projects, and offers scholarships to BWB workshops for dedicated students.
Free consultation and educational materials have been provided to Navajo, Hopi, and Lakota tribes, as well as projects in Mexico, Mongolia, China, South Africa, Argentina, and Siberia. To help us continue this educational outreach, you can earmark a Donation to the BWB Educational Resources Fund.
Builders Without Borders is a project of NetWorks Productions, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donations are tax-deductible.
In August 2005, BWB members led
the hands-on construction of a
straw-bale demonstration building in the Altai region of southern Siberia.
Read more.
You can also help Builders Without Borders with your everyday shopping
by registering with "onecause.com,"
where a large variety of merchants offer to donate a percentage of your
sale to your designated non-profit organization.
Strawbale
Construction
comes to Washington D.C.
photo:
Catherine Wanek
Joining a summer-long exhibition at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington
D.C., Builders Without Borders will create a straw-bale eco-house to demonstrate
energy-efficient design and green building techniques. The exhibit will
be on display from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, Saturday May 24
- October 13, 2008.
The U.S. Botanic Garden is on the National Mall, across the street from
the U.S. Capitol. (click
here for a Capitol map.)
The USBG is producing this exhibition, called One Planet - Ours! to showcase
earth-friendly techniques and technologies including edible school yards,
urban orchards, a solar greenhouse, photovoltaic panels, a vertical wind
turbine, green roofs and rainwater harvesting.
The Builders Without Borders display will focus on affordable construction
with natural materials, including straw bales, clay, wood and bamboo.
Visitors will step inside a small building with walls of stacked straw
bales, with wooden ceiling and wainscoting, finished with smooth clay
plaster.
They may also relax under a bamboo shade trellis to view informational
panels tracing Americas traditional green-building heritage, from cliff
dwellings and adobe pueblos of the Southwest, to an historic straw-bale
church still standing strong in the Nebraska sandhills. (News
and Views from the BWB Eco-house.)
The BWB team will also offer hands-on workshops during the summer on special
Family Days hosted by the USBG. Dates include Saturday June 21, July 19,
August 16, and September 27. Kids of all ages will be invited to stack
some straw bales and get their hands dirty plastering with mud. Just follow
the aroma of cookies baking in a solar oven. (Read
More)
Eco-house
Building Team
Eco-house Sponsors & Volunteers
Eco-house
Partners
The Builders Without Borders display will be on the east side of the Botanic Gardens, next to the Conservatory. click to enlarge.
Please help BWB bring awareness of energy-efficient straw bale and natural building to the steps of Capitol Hill. Support a summer of sustainability at the BWB natural building exhibit by donating, becoming a sponsor, and becoming a member.
Volunteer positions will also be available in May. sign up for the BWB newsletter.) or contact Sam Droege <Sam_Droege@USGS.gov>
Last updated on Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Copyright 2006
