Building with Nature: A New Way Forward
We’re excited to launch this site as a hub for research and innovation in sustainable construction. Our mission is to develop real, scalable alternatives to conventional building—solutions that work with nature rather than against it. Buildings shouldn’t just minimize harm; they should actively contribute to healthier ecosystems and stronger communities.
What We’re Working On
Our Living Lumber Project is pioneering a method to rapidly construct homes using living trees. We aim to create walls, roofs, and even foundations that are self-repairing, long-lasting, and carbon-sequestering. This could reduce reliance on carbon-intensive materials like concrete and steel, offering a radically sustainable way to build. We’re actively testing tree species, merging techniques, and modular designs to scale this concept into something practical.
Beyond Living Lumber, we’re researching or developing various materials including:
- Geopolymers – A lower-emission alternative to cement with high durability.
- Bio-based composites – Natural fiber and fungi-based materials that could replace plastics, fabrics and synthetic insulation.
- Earth-based construction – Techniques like rammed earth and compressed earth blocks, adapted for modern applications.
- Closed-loop systems – Taking cradle to cradle principles to ensure the waste of one system is the fuel for another.
In addition to sustainable building, we’re cultivating a permaculture garden and nursery, where we grow cold-hardy edible plants and trees suited for regenerative agriculture. Plants from our nursery will be available for sale, helping others integrate productive, resilient ecosystems into their landscapes while funding our research.
What’s Coming Up?
This site will grow alongside our research. As we refine these technologies, we’ll share insights, experiments, and practical applications to help builders, designers, and homeowners transition toward regenerative construction. Whether you’re interested in sustainable housing, alternative materials, or resilient food systems, we invite you to follow along.
We’re just getting started. Stay tuned as we continue testing and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Together, we can rethink how we build and how we live.