The Owner Builder magazine

The Owner Builder magazine Home building magazine aimed at owner/self builders, focussed on sustainable practices. It is with a heavy heart that I have to say it was the last issue.
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The Owner Builder magazine was established in 1981 with the aim of serving the interests of the owner builder. The Owner Builder 222 June-August 2021 was a very special bumper issue, with 132 pages and a heavier cover, to celebrate the 40th anniversary. The timeless information published over 40 years is not lost. All 222 back issues plus compilations are still available in digital format through

the online shop. Whether you are still thinking about buying a plot of land, planning and designing your home or already in the building phase, there will be something of interest. Subject matter is diverse, including getting started, planning, designing, building, renovating, maintenance, energy efficiency, sustainable building, hands-on guides - to name but a few. Materials covered include mud brick, rammed earth, straw bale, timber, corrugated steel, weatherboard - and many more! This page is NOT about pushing any specific product or service. If our advertisers make a post worth sharing, we will do so. However, there is no 'paid' content - we post what we like and feel is shareable, from all over the world. This is the 'fun police' - these are the simple 'rules of engagement' when becoming part of our owner builder community on Facebook:
• keep it relevant
• be nice - reasoned, civilised and courteous comments appreciated
• avoid abusive, profane or obscene language
• hate-speech or discriminatory comments will not be tolerated. A few useful considerations:
• Maintain privacy - do not post confidential information, include names or pictures, of others without their permission.
• Suitability for publication - if you would not say it face-to-face, then don't post it.
• Be accurate - facts should be verifiable, do not spread rumours or make unsubstantiated claims.
• Be aware of liability - you are responsible for what you post or share.

Featuring stone, clay, bamboo and straw... a great process video by The Nito Project. Thanks to The Last Straw Journal f...
07/08/2023

Featuring stone, clay, bamboo and straw... a great process video by The Nito Project. Thanks to The Last Straw Journal for the lead.

Witness the interplay of earth, water, and straw to create in-fill walls for a hand-crafted timber frame structure.This is a continuation of our timber frami...

04/08/2023

Question Time
Johnboy asks, 'Can anyone recommend a lawyer with experience of conveyancing with selling an owner built house in Victoria?'

Atulya from The Mud Home has created a must-have roadmap for off-gridders - 'A Practical (But Not Technical) Guide to Se...
29/07/2023

Atulya from The Mud Home has created a must-have roadmap for off-gridders - 'A Practical (But Not Technical) Guide to Setting Up an Off-Grid World'

THIS ROADMAP PDF IS FRESH OFF THE PRESS! IT'S FOR SALE AT A SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE OF $36 (plus local tax) UNTIL THE 15TH AUGUST 2023. A VIDEO SERIES WILL BE ADDED LATER THIS YEAR. ANYONE WHO JUMPS IN NOW WILL HAVE FREE ACCESS TO THOSE UPDATES.

How to Build an Earthquake-Resistant Home - a step-by-step guide.Good Earth Global, Engineering for ChangeThanks to Atul...
30/06/2023

How to Build an Earthquake-Resistant Home - a step-by-step guide.
Good Earth Global, Engineering for Change
Thanks to Atulya at The Mud Home for the headsup in her newsletter.

This earthbag construction manual is designed to show builders the right way to build with earthbags, using best practices and time-tested engineering and construction techniques. Critically, all instructions are specially tailored to Nepal’s uniquely challenging building environment.

Latest issue of the revitalised The Last Straw Journal is out now!
28/06/2023

Latest issue of the revitalised The Last Straw Journal is out now!

From Atulya at The Mud Home:A NZ$1000 Earth Home in New ZealandMoney is a frequent concern for people wanting to take th...
17/06/2023

From Atulya at The Mud Home:
A NZ$1000 Earth Home in New Zealand
Money is a frequent concern for people wanting to take the leap into natural building. This earthen house in New Zealand is noteworthy not only because it's beautiful, but because Steve and Judy Richards constructed it with a budget of NZ $1,000.
This house is inviting and full of character, with all the amenities that you'd need to feel right at home. It's definitely an inspiration for those working with a tight budget!

On a rencontré des gens inspirant, des personnes formidables et pleine de ressources. On ne pouvait donc pas passer plus d'un mois en leur compagnie et repar...

A tricky block in a flame zone called for some creative design ideas. The result is a unique home incorporating Passivha...
04/06/2023

A tricky block in a flame zone called for some creative design ideas. The result is a unique home incorporating Passivhaus features and art gallery-style architecture.
Split Building

A tricky block in a flame zone called for some creative design ideas. The result is a unique home incorporating Passivhaus features and art gallery-style architecture. By Lynda BrightonPhotos by Gr…

Thanks to Livos Australia for these tips on looking after timber during the winter:Winter weather can pose several probl...
31/05/2023

Thanks to Livos Australia for these tips on looking after timber during the winter:
Winter weather can pose several problems for timber. Here are some of the most common issues.
PROBLEMS
Moisture damage: Winter weather can bring rain, snow, and freezing temperatures, which can cause moisture to seep into timber and cause damage. Moisture can cause swelling, warping, and splitting, which can weaken the timber's structure and reduce its lifespan.
Frost damage: In some locations, when temperatures drop below freezing, the moisture in timber can freeze and expand, causing cracks and splits. Frost damage can also cause the timber to become brittle and more susceptible to breakage.
Pest/Mould/Mildew infestations: Insects and rodents are more likely to seek shelter in homes and buildings during the winter months. Timber is a favourite nesting material for many pests, and infestations can weaken the timber's structure and cause significant damage.
SOLUTIONS
Ensure proper drainage. This is especially true for decking or fencing; make sure that the area is properly graded to ensure proper drainage. This will prevent water from pooling around the timber and causing damage.
Apply a protective coating. There are many different types of coatings available at Livos, including oils, stains, and paints such as ALIS Decking Oil, KUNOS Natural Oil Sealer, ARDVOS Universal Wood Oil, FUNGIVER Mould and Mildew Remover.

ALIS Decking Oil is a natural and eco-friendly solution for protecting your timber decking. This decking oil provides superior protection against weather damage, moisture, and UV rays. Water-resistant, fast-drying for wooden surfaces.

Rachel (of Natural Building Australia) and I had a phone chat about the history of The Owner Builder magazine. Later in ...
20/05/2023

Rachel (of Natural Building Australia) and I had a phone chat about the history of The Owner Builder magazine. Later in the year, we hope to catch up again, once Rachel has the Natural Building Australia podcast series up and running.

A few months ago, as I began work on Natural Building Australia, I had a chat with Lynda – the last owner of the much celebrated […]

Thanks to The Last Straw Journal for this heads up in their latest newsletter:'A yurt calculator, dome diaries, and a st...
20/05/2023

Thanks to The Last Straw Journal for this heads up in their latest newsletter:
'A yurt calculator, dome diaries, and a straw bale cabin layout? Simply Differently is a a must for nomadic self-builders. The brainchild of René K. Müller, simplydifferently.org provides excellent resources on alternative building methods and its all free!'

Sat, November 1, 2014: Strawbale Cabin: Starting with the diary, documenting the first steps doing the insulated floor. .

Earthbag at Chelsea Flower Show!
16/05/2023

Earthbag at Chelsea Flower Show!

Some of the group at the end of day 3.
Making the for the garden at the in

Earth Hands and Houses

Don't miss out on this year's VIRTUAL Eltham Mudbrick Tour. No matter where you are, you can log on and join in.This com...
16/05/2023

Don't miss out on this year's VIRTUAL Eltham Mudbrick Tour. No matter where you are, you can log on and join in.
This coming Sunday 21 May 2023

The Eltham Mudbrick Tour returns this May 2023 showcasing five unique mudbrick homes via a new virtual platform. Join the Nillumbik Mudbrick Association as we explore these special homes. You can take the opportunity to participate in a live Q&A session with the home owners by joining the virtua...

'Now, I always say don’t build an exterior earthbag wall, as they are so hard to plaster naturally and keep waterproof.'...
15/05/2023

'Now, I always say don’t build an exterior earthbag wall, as they are so hard to plaster naturally and keep waterproof.' Atulya from The Mud Home shares how Luke and Kath from NZ proved her wrong.
Want more earth building inspiration? The Owner Builder magazine back issues are still available in digital format. Download the FREE contents listing files to find the specific back issues you want, or order THE LOT for only $100.
https://theownerbuilder.ecwid.com

The go to blog for natural building, off-grid ideas and mud homes.

Timber auctionVic - Woodend21 May 2023
04/05/2023

Timber auction
Vic - Woodend
21 May 2023

Trialing mixtures and methods is the best way to get started with natural building. Thanks to Atulya at The Mud Home for...
04/05/2023

Trialing mixtures and methods is the best way to get started with natural building. Thanks to Atulya at The Mud Home for the heads up on this post from Rebearth.

Owner-Builder CourseWA - Busselton17 June 2023
04/05/2023

Owner-Builder Course
WA - Busselton
17 June 2023

Get a real life insight into the process of owner building your own home in Perth & Western Australia. Enrol today in our one day course to learn more.

Thank you to Earthbuilding Association of New Zealand (EBANZ) for continuing to spread the word about The Owner Builder ...
04/05/2023

Thank you to Earthbuilding Association of New Zealand (EBANZ) for continuing to spread the word about The Owner Builder magazine. They still had some hard copy back issues left over from previous expos, which Martin Ulenberg (Instagram , ulenberg.co.nz) and Crispin Caldicott handed out at the Go Green Expo last weekend.
Don't forget that all back issues are still available in digital PDF format. Download the FREE contents listing files to find the specific back issues you want, or order THE LOT for only $100.
https://theownerbuilder.ecwid.com

Timber Framing 7 day Women’s WorkshopNSW Bega Valley 8-14 July 2023
27/04/2023

Timber Framing 7 day Women’s Workshop
NSW Bega Valley
8-14 July 2023

Come along to this workshop where you will build the structural framing of a 1 bedroom house. This is hands on learning with no experience necessary - we teach you all the skills you will need.

When to use clay and when to use lime? Atulya from The Mud Home shares her experience.
27/04/2023

When to use clay and when to use lime? Atulya from The Mud Home shares her experience.

My renovated stone huts began as abandoned, poop-filled caves. Now? Aha... The transformations were surprisingly inexpensive too, because a) I did all the work myself, and b) I'm predominantly using two very inexpensive materials: clay and lime. But can you use either in any situation? And why did I choose lime in some places, and clay in others? https://buff.ly/3MkNuq8

It is that time of year again... some food for thought for next winter!Alan has written about his discovery of masonry h...
27/04/2023

It is that time of year again... some food for thought for next winter!
Alan has written about his discovery of masonry heaters while owner builder his straw bale and rammed earth home on the far south coast of NSW - TOB 181 Feb/Mar 2014, TOB 202 Aug/Sep 2017, TOB 207 Jun/Jul 2018.
The Owner Builder magazine back issues are still available in digital format. Download the FREE contents listing files to find the specific back issues you want, or order THE LOT for only $100.
https://theownerbuilder.ecwid.com

Kirstie Wulf of Shelter Building Design built her own award-winning h**p home, which featured in TOB 197 Oct/Nov 2016 an...
27/04/2023

Kirstie Wulf of Shelter Building Design built her own award-winning h**p home, which featured in TOB 197 Oct/Nov 2016 and TOB 198 Dec/Jan 2017. It also features a very impressive Hokusai’s Wave shower mosaic!
*****
Want more h**p building inspiration? The Owner Builder magazine back issues are still available in digital format. Download the FREE contents listing files to find the specific back issues you want, or order THE LOT for only $100.
https://theownerbuilder.ecwid.com

27/04/2023

Two Creative helped to bring this neglected mud brick home bck to life for the new owners.

Sustainable Living WeekVic - Whitehorse28 April-7 May 2023
23/04/2023

Sustainable Living Week
Vic - Whitehorse
28 April-7 May 2023

Renew is proud to support and be part of this community-run event by Whitehorse City Council.

Join Whiterhorse's Sustainable Living Week to connect with nature, learn about simple actions on climate change that everyone can take for a more sustainable lifestyle.

🗓 28 April - 7 May

Find out more by visiting their website http://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/sustainable-living-week

Featured in TOB 106 Aug/Sep 2001 and TOB 130 Aug/Sep 2005, this stunning straw bale home in Harcourt North, Victoria was...
23/04/2023

Featured in TOB 106 Aug/Sep 2001 and TOB 130 Aug/Sep 2005, this stunning straw bale home in Harcourt North, Victoria was owner built by Prue Walduck and Ada Milley. It includes the main house plus two luxury B&B units, along with an alpaca stud. MillDuck Strawbale B&B
www.millduck.com.au
*****
Want more straw bale building inspiration? The Owner Builder magazine back issues are still available in digital format. Download the FREE contents listing files to find the specific back issues you want, or order THE LOT for only $100.
https://theownerbuilder.ecwid.com

Natural Building Australia is launching a national natural building platform. Sign up for the newsletter to keep up to d...
17/04/2023

Natural Building Australia is launching a national natural building platform. Sign up for the newsletter to keep up to date.

Natural Building Australia Email Forms

Eltham Mudbrick Tour21 May 2023, 2-4pm Online Five houses with live Q&A.
17/04/2023

Eltham Mudbrick Tour
21 May 2023, 2-4pm
Online
Five houses with live Q&A.

Save the date. May 21, 2 to 4pm online, five houses with live Q&A. Ticketing info to come. 😊

Sustainable House Day may be over, but there is still plenty of inspiration online!
17/04/2023

Sustainable House Day may be over, but there is still plenty of inspiration online!

Long Beach Eco Home Long Beach, NSW Positioned in coastal urban bushland, this home compliments the peaceful environment with its natural materials and energ...

Build from scratch, renovate or buy someone else's project? Atulya from The Mud Home runs through the pros and cons of e...
17/04/2023

Build from scratch, renovate or buy someone else's project? Atulya from The Mud Home runs through the pros and cons of each.
*****
Want more natural building inspiration? The Owner Builder magazine back issues are still available in digital format. Download the FREE contents listing files to find the specific back issues you want, or order THE LOT for only $100.
https://theownerbuilder.ecwid.com

There are three main ways to create a gorgeous natural home for yourself. You can either build the thing from the ground up, find an old structure and renovate it, or buy someone else’s project....

A special one-off opportunity from Atulya at The Mud Home for anyone who is considering enrolling in her online Perfect ...
17/04/2023

A special one-off opportunity from Atulya at The Mud Home for anyone who is considering enrolling in her online Perfect Earth Plaster course. Anyone who signs up in the month of April 2023 will get a year of free access to her very small, exclusive Mud Home Facebook group, for mud and lime lovers, tiny off-gridders and earthbaggers alike.
*****
Want more natural building inspiration? The Owner Builder magazine back issues are still available in digital format. Download the FREE contents listing files to find the specific back issues you want, or order THE LOT for only $100.
https://theownerbuilder.ecwid.com

Learn how to master beautiful earth plaster in 11 Lessons.

Ecovillage Experience WeekendNSW - Central Coast21-23 April 2023
01/04/2023

Ecovillage Experience Weekend
NSW - Central Coast
21-23 April 2023

You'd never guess this homeowner is a cyclist... 😂
01/04/2023

You'd never guess this homeowner is a cyclist... 😂

A natural pool with pebble beach... gorgeous!
28/03/2023

A natural pool with pebble beach... gorgeous!

NZS 4298 Materials and workmanship for earth buildings was updated in 2020, but has not yet been officially cited. While...
27/03/2023

NZS 4298 Materials and workmanship for earth buildings was updated in 2020, but has not yet been officially cited. While the new version is improved, with more materials included, the older version (1998) is still a very useful resource. Better still, the PDF is available to download for FREE:
https://www.standards.govt.nz/shop/nzs-42981998/
Thanks to Earthbuilding Association of New Zealand (EBANZ) for all their work in getting the updated version completed.

Adobe Brick Design & Construction Hands-on WorkshopNZ - Nelson21-23 April 2023
27/03/2023

Adobe Brick Design & Construction Hands-on Workshop
NZ - Nelson
21-23 April 2023

Gorgeous example of a straw bale home built with SITUPS from Huff 'n' Puff Strawbale Constructions.*****Want more straw ...
27/03/2023

Gorgeous example of a straw bale home built with SITUPS from Huff 'n' Puff Strawbale Constructions.
*****
Want more straw bale building inspiration? The Owner Builder magazine back issues are still available in digital format. Download the FREE contents listing files to find the specific back issues you want, or order THE LOT for only $100.
https://theownerbuilder.ecwid.com

Address

Newcastle, NSW
2295

Website

https://theownerbuilder.wordpress.com/, http://twitter.com/#!/theownerbuilder

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Real stories about real owner builders

Whether you are still thinking about buying a plot of land, planning and designing your home or already in the building phase, there will be something of interest. Subject matter is diverse, including getting started, planning, designing, building, renovating, maintenance, energy efficiency, sustainable building - to name but a few. Materials covered include mud brick, rammed earth, straw bale, timber, corrugated tin - and many more! There is also a comprehensive mail order Bookshop, along with regular reviews. This page is NOT about pushing any specific product or service. If our advertisers make a post worth sharing, we will do so. However, there is no 'paid' content - we post what we like and feel is shareable, from all over the world. This is the 'fun police' - these are the simple 'rules of engagement' when becoming part of our owner builder community on Facebook: • keep it relevant • be nice - reasoned, civilised and courteous comments appreciated • avoid abusive, profane or obscene language • hate-speech or discriminatory comments will not be tolerated. A few useful considerations: • Maintain privacy - do not post confidential information, include names or pictures, of others without their permission. • Suitability for publication - if you would not say it face-to-face, then don't post it. • Be accurate - facts should be verifiable, do not spread rumours or make unsubstantiated claims. • Be aware of liability - you are responsible for what you post or share.


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