Hey guys my name is Steve weir I’m 18 and I have just started my own personal research into sustainable building. Aspects with in sustainable building i am most interested in at this time are materials (e.g. natural materials and recycled materials). different/alternative building methods (e.g. how we go about building from the working environment that we are in every day to the system of construction managing time and energy the most efficient way throughout the build). cultural structures (e.g. alternative ways different cultures have been building for generations bringing back the craftsmanship into building). design (e.g. designing the building so that it fits in with the land and is not a eye saw on the land also designing it so it is using as much natural support in its everyday life as possible to reduce as much human energy input which means not spending money that doesn’t need to be spent. I think incorporating perm culture aspects within the home are essential for your home to work in an easy efficient cycle. Another interest which i will be interested in further on down the track is legislation being able to change the codes and regulations for a greater good so that we can begin to put change into the conventional way of building. any way i was just reading about your earth bag building work shop and thought you would be a good person to talk to and seek advice from i see it is too late to do your workshop this year but was wondering if you know of any other workshops people or projects happening or potential projects that might be starting in the future? i was part of a sustainable living research program at the start of the year and they were going to be funding me while I learnt and i was planning to travel around Australia and/or America in the next few years but unfortunately they had problems and had to cut the funding temporarily so i am currently working for a straw bale builder glen Harley unfortunately there is no work for straw bale happening in Christchurch at this time so am looking to move on to expand my skills and knowledge as I am really keen to learn to build in a better healthier way tho i am finding it very hard to find people with similar views.

yours sincerely
stephen weir