Natural Buildings
Our passion is to design buildings that are built out of materials that are the most sustainable, the least processed (non-manufactured = lowest embodied energy) and/or the most locally available.
We have extensive experience designing ALL NATURAL buildings as well as being part of the team as the Project Architect of the Flemming College Sustainable Design projects for 2007 & 2008. The Fleming College's Sustainable Building Design and Construction course (based in Haliburton, Ontario) trains students to conceive and construct natural buildings using materials and methods with the least possible environmental impact. They develop strategies to design and build beautiful, healthy, and ecologically sound homes and public buildings. The course was created & led by Natural Building Expert, teacher, builder & author of 3 books on Strawbale construction, Chris Magwood. Ingrid Cryns, Project Architect, facilitated the working drawings, building permit & construction review process.
Natural Buildings employs many sustainable building methods, and makes use of non-toxic, healthy, low-embodied energy materials like hemp straw bales, milk paints and soy stains, and local earthen plasters.
Madoc Performing Arts CentreRD Lawrence Museum
Sustainable Organic Farm & Learning Centre
Port Hope Sustainable Retail Village
Oval Straw Bale House