Texas Natural Builders at the Pine Ridge Reservation - Sustainable Housing possible?

“Housing for the Oglala Sioux Reservation is a serious issue, the Reservation estimate that some 4,000 homes are need in the Pine Ridge area alone. Help us by volunteering time or by becoming an apprentice to help fund this build!! more info below!”

The Oglala-Sioux Pine Ridge Reservation, just one of several "forgotten" reservations on the American landscape.

The Pine Ridge Reservation is home the the Lakotah people of South Dakota, once a mighty tribe of aboriginal natives with rich traditions and extraordinary land skills, and now homelessness and alcoholism runs rampant, drug and spousal abuse a close second.

Is it possible to successfully introduce sustainable housing to the thousands of homeless? We think so, and this July we aim to do just that.

Texas Natural Builders had been obbsessed with pallet construction, from Tiny Houses to Full-sized Homes. We have joined in collaboration with EarthTipi.org, who live directly on the Pine Ridge Reservation to bring a family the gift of a warm home before this winter hits, which is typically in the month of September.

We have scheduled a 5 week build starting July 23, 2011 extending through August 31, 2011, where we will build a 30'x30' double walled pallet house, insulated with "light straw clay" and an earthen plaster on the interior and exterior walls. The floor will also be an earthen plastered application that is strong and will utilize thermal mass in the winter months to help keep the interior warm and cozy.

A "rocket mass heater" will be the main source of heat in the home, while a rainwater catchment roof and gutter sytem will feed a holding tank for household usage.

A greywater-to-garden system will be in place to utilize sink and shower run off, while a composting toilet will be their method of waste catchment.

Join us as we do our best to bring this simple and very easy building method the the Lakota people.

Register for this event for an apprenticeship position, tuition is $1500, and covers the cost of food and training for 5 weeks.

WE HAVE REACHED OUR LIMITS ON VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS WORKSHOP AND CAN ACCEPT NO MORE, WE STILL HAVE SPOTS OPEN FOR THE APPRENTICESHIP OPTION.