Steve Lansing

Hello Permies. I am reaching out the the Permies community in hopes of finding assistance in dealing with a building inspector. Just recently I had my final inspection on a straw bale house with  a cob floor and the inspector dropped a bomb shell on me requiring a structural engineer to sign off on the foundation/ slab and insulation of my house. Everything else has passed. I have been working on this owner/ builder home for 5 years (part time) and am almost ready to move in. It has a cob floor and rubble trench foundation and the only structural engineer that would return my contacts says there are some concerns, but will not come out and look at it.
If anyone knows an architect or structural engineer that is friendly to natural building, I would be very appreciative. Please contact me here on Permies. With warm regards.

Hello Permies. I am reaching out to the Permies community for help. I have been working on a construction of a straw bale home and during the final inspection the inspector required a letter from an engineer on my foundation/ slab/ insulation. Trying to keep a long story short, with a straw bale house, cob floor, rubble trench foundation with a 6" concrete topper tied into two running rows of masonry blocks for a stem wall, there are a few issues that are not in the code. The problem is structural engineers are too busy to respond, only work on commercial projects or identify issues that require a tear down and rebuild to correct. So, if anyone knows of a architect or structural engineer that is open minded and willing to work in North Georgia, that would be great. Believe me, I have reached out to many people, friends of friends and etc. The structural is almost move in and has been a project of my life for 5 years. I am considered an owner/ builder, but still must make the structure to code. The foundation was prior approved, but not the slab. Straw bale is in the IBC 2016 Appendix R, so I believe I can get the insulation part resolved. Any more details just contact me and we can move forward. Many thanks in advance.

Hello Joe from North Georgia,

Well, first wow. Your brother and you are in for an adventure. In a way, what you are proposing is a project that I have on my radar, just sooner than expected. I am not far away and am interested in discussing the project at length with you. I currently am developing 7.5 acres for a homestead school on which I will have various structures to people and choose what works for them and take classes in how to build them...ie, prefab metal hut, up in a weekend, strawbale house, tree house, hobbit house, geodesic dome, etc. I am also using permaculture techniques like food forest, swales and huglekulture. One of my goals is to advice a development that is off/ or on grid of independent minded people that still want a community, but have similar goals of caring for the environment while still developing the land in a respectable manner. If more than enough power is generated with solar, wind and micro-hydro then selling it back to the power companies would be great. Also, using the lay of the land to capture rain water and create small or larger pond/ lakes to generate a water source and power. To build using green methods and manage the use of negative building materials and toxic materials, keeping them to a minimum. I am currently studying air-crete as an alternative to concrete.

The very first thing I would do in your shoes is meet with the local building authority and department of natural resources for their input, especially zoning. That one issue has changed many of my goals over the last few years and can greatly limit you if people do not see you dreams or goals as "compatible" to the same as the county. Urrgghhh, if they do not like your plans. Also, find any neighbors close to you property and seek their input. If they do not like it and have pull in the county....oh, boy, will it be an up hill battle...as I experienced.

All that said, your project seems like a valid one and good one. It is doable with dedicated people. Do your research, talk to locals about property and insure there are no legal issue...past mining issues, garbage dumping anything that might cause delays or legal issues with development. So, much to discuss.

Feel free to contact me, Richard at 770-480-3048 or email at ga_seagull@yahoo.com. I do not check that email every day, so give me a little time if you email.

Best of luck and regards,

R

Hello Felicia from North Georgia. I to am building in the woods in the mountains, just a little south of  you. No market garden for me, but a working modern homestead with alternative construction projects and hopefully a school to teach all that goes with modern homesteading. Ask away, someone always will be willing to help out. Learn all you can. You did not mention where in N. Carolina or if you have low land or hilly, etc. My land is all unlevel and wooded, so always working around those circumstances. Using hulglekultures have helped and good land management practices as well. Looking forward to installing some small retention ponds before I build a larger one (1/3) acre in a ravine by installing a dam. Lots to do. Enjoy the journey, but don't be afraid to get started. Best wishes.

Hope all are well. I would like to post a quick message about this weekend, where I am finishing up construction on a strawbale house, with cobb floors, tadelakt shower, earth tubes, lime wash walls and pallet wood cabinets. If you have any interest in these items then feel free to stop by this weekend...North Georgia and help out and learn. Give me, Richard, at call at 770-480-3048. Hoping to turn my 7.5 acres into a homesteading school in the near future. Lots of future projects coming up like retention ponds, huglekultures, raised beds, tree house construction, hobbit house construction, geodesic dome construction and so much more. Looking forward to hearing from you.

First off, thanks for being part of this forum and Permies.
Second, Im interested in the top 10 plants that work best for Herbalist remedies that grow in US AG zone 7a, North Georgia with mostly clay soil and rocks. Sure, I am doing my best to improve the soil, but it takes time. Looking forward to reading your book. Wishing much success. Regards and thanks in advance. Rich

Hello Jasper, I don't live in Atlanta, but do live in the Metro area about 45 minutes north of Atlanta up GA400. I have 7+ acres in Dawson County that I am developing into a "Modern" Working Homestead. At the time, I have a large garage (to store materials+tools) and a straw bale house under construction. I have built over 200 feet of hulglekultures, swales, and generally improving the land to have a homestead that I can live on and consume 75% of the food I eat from the property. Lots of plans, but not lots of hands. If  you would like to use some of the skills in permaculture or put some to use, I welcome the help/ visit. Contact through Permies. Regards, Richard