Desert dream home quest in Bluff: locally sourced, passive A/C

On the valley floor beneath the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Bluff, Utah, emerging builders have spent over two decades erecting experimental homes with new materials like FlexCrete blocks: a Navajo Nation product created from the coal ash leftovers from power plants.
They’ve built dozens of homes testing earthen plasters, recycled plastics, shipping containers and pallets. Located at the edge of the Navajo Nation, they have also merged their investigations with traditional craft to build with owners on tribal land.
“Sweet Caroline” (2006) is round like a traditional hogan with an eastern entrance, but instead of earthen plasters, they used Flex-crete, a fly-ash (coal-burning power plant by-product) material produced in the Navajo Nation. “Benally” (2007) was constructed with “rejected road base material that matched perfectly the sand/clay/aggregate ratio necessary to make non-stabilized (no added concrete) compressed earth blocks”.
Making the central hearth the focal point (as in a traditional Navajo home) the passive solar compressed earth block walls were built to point directly from the hearth toward the four sacred mountains (fundamental to the land). The roof shading acts as a traditional “shade house”.
“Rosie Joe” (2004) incorporated “a rammed-earth Trombe wall for temperature regulation; a south-facing wall glazed with salvaged and gang-mulled windows; weathered wood; the ceiling and roof structure made entirely from recycled pallets; exterior walls of straw sandwiched by clear acrylic; interior walls clad with discarded road signs.”
Resembling a ‘terra dome‘ structure, “Little Water” (2012) continued to perfect the passive cooling and heating techniques, with 5 natural systems for “Bluff’s scorching summers and frigid winters”. These include an insulated thermal berm wall, a straw bale wall, a solar oculus for natural ventilation and cooling, a ventilated second roof, and a rocket stove.
We toured the Bluff campus with lead architects/builders Atsushi and Hiroki Yamamoto, spent a night in the “Shipshape” container home, and visited with “sweat equity” owner/builders who talked about the desire to live under the protection of the four mountains surrounding Navajo land, but wanting to fuse modern with traditional in a home.
www.designbuildbluff.org/
On *faircompanies: faircompanies.com/videos/they...

[@sashastarshanti3599]

Love this so much. When the lovely Navajo lady was asked what she thought when the designers said they were going to use adobe, "Oh I thought Zuni or Hopi" Love it! I'm from New Mexico, and my grandmother is Zuni from the Zuni Pueblos. The Zuni live much differently than the Navajo... Zuni's (traditionally) live much closer together in adobe pueblos that resemble apartments. Navajos traditionally live much further apart in round shaped hogans. It was beautiful to see such lovely modern, Zen like design being used in the Navajo Nation, and it looks so natural there.

[@Oregontrailblazin]

I was visiting friends In Arizona near the Navajo Nation. We drove in the Nation. And was shocked some of the housing! Cardboard holding together A very old trailer house wall ! Later, I became a Tenant Council President thru HUD. I met many Navajo People ( in a Las Vegas Conference ) ,We were trying to find resources and remedies for Tribal Housing as well . I am so happy that this is happening for Elders and Tribal People. And the Elder @ the end to have her house built with her Ancestors in the very Land into her house is AWESOME. ! This Sweat equity is very similar to Habitat for Humanity .My Daughter receive One of the homes and she helped build it . I came in later and supply the exterior and interior paint and painting.She lives in their house to this day ..What a Blessing for all !! Thank you

[@AndrewHelgeCox]

I love the idea of bringing back soil from each walk / hike.

[@dakotaovdan]

More and more after hearing the news I want to just move into the woods or to a lovely community like this ☺️

[@davidschmidt270]

Exactly Dakota ....things are probably not going to get any better either.... everything is petroleum based 🤮🤮

[@robertlavigne6560]

@@davidschmidt270 maybe AOC would be willing to give up all products that are petroleum based for a month. Bye bye make up AOC! She couldn't do it.

[@OfftoShambala]

@@davidschmidt270 more like Nazi doctor based

[@fabiancanada8876]

@@davidschmidt270 And about controlling and dividing people

[@idellekell]

I'm so happy the elderly lady has such a beautiful home now, where her family can gather and be happy and comfortable. What's more important than that? What a gift

[@adrianac3258]

Love the respect this project has towards the Navajos and their land !

[@amandatopson5757]

What a beautiful woman the homeowner is! Thank you for another amazing video - so much love and collaboration - wonderful.

[@MBMCincy63]

Kirsten You never disappoint! I learn so much from these videos. I have dreams of being able to visit some of these places you show. Thank you so much!!!!

[@tamiweber7118]

This is “Serene,” “Beautiful,” and “Breathtaking.” Everyone one is relaxed without the fast paced city hustle 💯🌟💜🌟💯

[@VictoriaVlogz]

I saw Americorps shirts! I would love to learn this building technique. I did a year in Americorps working for Habitat for Humanity in North Carolina. That was one of the most rewarding jobs ever. I loved teaching people new skills and I learned many along the way as well. It has helped me in my career as an interior designer. But the best part was learning about the homeowners while we worked on their homes and then getting to proudly present them with the keys at the end. Most of our homeowners were refugees fleeing terrible situations; despite that they truly carved out the American dream for their families. Anyone that gets a chance to take a gap year, or fresh out of school, or even retirees should look into their various programs. You get a living stipend and many other benefits like insurance for full timers and childcare. You help out your community and gain valuable knowledge and skills in a supportive environment.

[@T_P_W_ThachoZenjuan]

Yessssss. As a desert dweller, I love the science behind these buildings.

[@diffore]

What an amazing people, building these homes and teaching their technic to others. Each building is so unique and interesting, perfectly melding with environment - so much better then typical boring suburbia.

[@-Bloomingtales]

I saw “eco village” and clicked so fast! Thank you for the incredible work you do to document these incredible locations in the way that you do! It creates much needed awareness. 💛

[@TheFieldLab]

I have been a big fan of DesignBuildBLUFF for many years. I based elements of my house roof design and my welded rebar greenhouse trusses on the "Rosie Joe" house.

[@treehuggingmusician595]

This is a beautiful story. It is nice to see something positive for the Navajo Nation people.

[@chrispitts3353]

These videos help me to ground myself. Thank you for continuing to release them.

[@CadenceBeckMusic]

You really NAIL it on all your shows. thanks for your discoveries and your videos. I'm about to move to raw land with rocks and wood and clay soil. lots of useful info here. cheers

[@overlandecuador8893]

When I was a manufacturer of lawn and garden products I told my staff that we did not have “scrap”. I referred to these off cuts as “ small stock”as in small stock yard. This gave value to the stuff and nothing was thrown away. We got creative and turned our small stock into product lines. 😎

[@viriato8566]

Another great documentary. You show how much we can learn by just sidestepping the mainstream and hearing from people whose world view is different. Thanks so much.

[@racebanning6390]

WELL IM BLOWN AWAY!!1 WHAT AN AMAZING EPISODE, HOW DO YOU ALL FIND THESE PLACES.. LOLOL!!! THE COLLABERATION BETEWWN THESE PEOPLE IS WONDERFUL!!! HUMANS ON EARTH HAVE A RIGHT TO SHELTER!! AND THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF ARCHITECTURE AT ITS FINEST. KUDOS KIRSTEN & FAM!

[@Kikibeluga]

Wow, this is sooo wonderful!! I feel a strong desire to be at this place! Watching this felt like home for me and I am from Germany! I love it!

[@annawinter4629]

now we are two Germans with the same feeling lets go

[@arabella959]

This is fabulous I’m so impressed. I have a new appreciation for the environment in this beautiful area of Utah. And I love the rich sharing of the history. Thank you. This was educational.

[@beatrizmicci3738]

Impressive, stunning! What a beauty that you share this!

[@HaveaGreatDayEveryone]

It’s amazing to see Bluff, UT in your videos! We saw these homes from afar while we stayed nearby.

[@AndrewHelgeCox]

What an amazing location for a home.

[@liambenyamin5482]

I adore the beauty of these humble Navajo Beings!! It's always a welcome treat to hear them voice impressions of the work to restore the indigenous individual by combining ones imprint, structure and art as a craft dialogue! How rich, valuable and fleeting. No wonder the children return. I just love it! It truly gives the real flavor and depth architecture of our time has been missing!! Thank You Navajos for sharing your experience with us!!!

[@TomBlatildush]

Wow, this is an incredible mission! I would love to start an affordable housing project in my own country. Maybe after finishing my carpentry degree I’ll try to volunteer with these people!

[@wthomas7955]

There's such a thing as a carpentry degree?

[@TomBlatildush]

Associate’s degree in carpentry, yes

[@MBMCincy63]

@@TomBlatildush I need to learn that. I'm already trying to pick a new career. Thanks for the heads up.

[@wthomas7955]

@@TomBlatildush Interesting. I know you can get training by joining a union. However, most of the folks I know just started out doing laborer work on a construction site.

[@TomBlatildush]

@@wthomas7955 My country is expected to have a Construccion boom in the next few years, and the amount of construction workers has decreased. So they’re offering full scholarships for trade jobs to fill the demand. Im waiting for my application to be accepted at the moment

[@cathycoryell2351]

Modern amenities, and meeting current building (codes?), Including windows , electricity, combined with traditional materials really created a lovely home. TYSM for sharing this example. May she find peace and joy living comfortably on her ancestral lands.

[@ernestinasanchez5305]

One of the most beautiful and educational videos. Love the dessert and mountains views.

[@carolewarner101]

People working together, lifting one another up together. This is what the world needs to spread into a new epidemic. An epidemic of love and empowerment...

[@friermama]

Oh my goodness, this is my most favorite videos thus far!!!!!!!!

[@lemongrove57]

I was so intrigued by the flex crete idea, I've been researching it all afternoon. Apparently over 50% of concrete blocks already contain some fly ash, which is why they're called "cinder" blocks. I was excited by the possibility of premade bricks available not too far from me, but theNavajo Flexcrete business seems to have disappeared in the last 5 years or so, about the time debate grew very heated over whether fly ash was a hazardous, heavy metal leaching material, or a miracle antidote to carbon emissions from cement production. Both sides seem equal in their potential for argumentative bias, leaving me unsure what to think. If you're already open to using shipping containers and pallet wood, such concerns probably don't bother you. Let me know if you find out anything else!

[@cliffordbradford8910]

Unfortunately, too many people let perfect be the enemy of better. it is similar to people who argue against using waste plastic to make roads because it can lead to micro plastic dust as if asphalt roads don't lead to asphalt dust

[@risasb]

@@cliffordbradford8910 And in either case tire tread dust, which floats and migrates to streams/ocean.

[@dlorien7306]

Look into AAC. It's Aircrete in Europe but in the US aircrete implies foamed concrete, not aerated, & not autoclaved (for strength). 3 N. American sources now

[@thomasmorgan1086]

@@cliffordbradford8910 but one is not LIVING IN IT. Encased, coffined (Lol), the walls of your lungs to the outside world. Hempcrete is better and compressed earthen blocks are better too. No by product of a toxic industry.

[@snowballeffect7812]

@@cliffordbradford8910 what is asphalt dust? at what rate is it produced? plastic is not nearly as durable as asphalt is. also heavy metal poisoning is still a big issue in a lot of areas where arsenic poisoning results in horrible health effects after it leaches into ground water. It's not a matter of perfect, it's a matter of safety. A tiny amount of certain isotopes of polonium can be biointegrated and kill a person with almost no hope for an antidote. On the other hand, you can eat the equivalent of a box of nails and not have much happen to you as most of it passes through. It all really depends and it seems people are far too eager to ignore the details because they're simply impatient for a solution not realizing it can make things worse.

[@davidcorr4503]

The U’s design build program in Bluff is such a good combination of needs, hands on work experience for the architecture students and affordable, low-maintenance housing for an underserved community

[@lavonneschultz2362]

WOW It is great labor of love hands on a fantastic home and use of creativity with mother natures gifts plus long hours of mutual HANDS ON WALL shows teamwork efforts .Love the inner artwork pieces and decoration especially the large family photo display too. YOUR CULTURAL PRIDE IS WELL DESERVED.Very nice sewing project. What do they use to get electric service ? Is it using well water? Is each house there similarly independent of others ?

[@jeffw.6821]

This a wonderful video! I am glad these people are learning how to make such amazing homes. Eventually, they might be able to build similar homes off the reservation to bring more resources into the reservation.

[@tlockerk]

Great to see the bluffs again, miss NM. Thought you said, "we brought our own SHEEP". guess my brain was on the Res... I thought for a moment you were REALLY doing the "eat local" to a new high. 😂

[@TheTonyAndreas]

Why am I crying 😭 lol. OMG that lady at the end reminds me of my mom. She is so sweet and all she wanted was a home. I’m so glad she finally got a home she loves! How can I support her business?

[@AndrewHelgeCox]

Nice use of shipping containers to define a space that is spanned by a roof and walled-in rather than cramming people inside connected units like rabbits in a warren.

[@erebusaeon6945]

I liked the way they designed their shipping container houses as well, but I would be hesitant about using them in this sort of location. Their comments about how hot it was inside them made me doubt the thermal capabilities of these metal boxes and whether they should be in a desert. They feel like a fad, shoehorned into a place they don't belong.

[@AndrewHelgeCox]

@@erebusaeon6945 Fair points.

[@sustainablelivingschool12]

Sweat equity home is so so so amazing and makes our hearts swell! Thank you so much for making this video and highlighting these groups 💚

[@Who.is.Clinton]

Loved this video, those colors, beautiful.

[@tomstopper5281]

Guy, this is another gem!

[@danielaparedes3509]

QUE VÍDEO TAN MARAVILLOSO, ME ENCANTA PORQUE NOS MUESTRAN UN NUEVO MUNDO EN CADA UNO DE SUS DOCUMENTALES

[@bodic7162]

I love Bluff! I spent my childhood summers there in the 1970’s. Sure looks different.

[@batwood]

I love this story. Thank you Kirsten and crew.

[@raimonda6653]

I love this company ! What a great idea 🎉❤ love the natural materials .

[@sevenravens]

Wow, that is so cool! I would love to live there.

[@mjoverocker6072]

The scenery is breath taking

[@user-ks5cg5cd7m]

Such beauty!

[@benbrown8258]

The thing that stands out to me is how important active relationship and communication is with the First Nation participants.

[@hivolco151]

I am so in love with this wonderful landscape !! the buildings are so fitting for the colors and Natural very contemporary styles. Thank you so much Kirsten and family for showing us this amazing place and people!

[@tanyaraven9492]

I wish you would pan the kitchens slowly as I'm gathering ideas for a kitchen of my own. The last house with the concrete counter had an interesting metal structure above the stove side. Would be wonderful for hanging pots and pans and I would have loved to see a little more detail of the entire kitchen. Otherwise, great video. Thanks!

[@ralphlyda4545]

Put the KZbin play speed on .25 if you want to pan slowly.

[@tanyaraven9492]

@@ralphlyda4545 Thanks, Ralph. Had never used this and had to google-search for instructions. Once found, it worked very well. Just what I needed!

[@crazywisdom2]

Love there use of natural materials.... Very cool houses.

[@suehoskins8559]

Thanks for letting us into your home. Really special, awesome project.

[@ADebsLife]

Brilliant episode; inspiring!

[@joedee1863]

Grateful to see this, thanks for sharing. I was hoping to see some natural shaped habitats like domes, round houses Earth ships etc. As they require less modern building skills and ten people to hold a wall panel in place. Nice to see Japanese people helping out the Navajo project

[@RVBadlands2015]

Love all the homes.

[@SoCalFreelance]

The landscape is stunning. Would love to go out there with a Phase One camera.

[@bliznuk1]

This idia with clay and stro for walls is same as criate Ukrainian arcitector Sergiy Machno in oun Shrub house. Beautiful

[@jewelssylva3738]

What a wonderful project ❣️

[@kathysalkeldbonilla6541]

Thank you for sharing!

[@kansas_off_grid]

So kewl and what a view. Awesome video.

[@al-du6lb]

Kristen, you have to get Charles Marohn from Strong Towns on to talk about streets. America needs to be educated on great streets.

[@T3hJones]

Such a beautiful house and nice lady!!!

[@deezynar]

The mantra of the people who pursue alternative construction methods is "Spend a lot of money to save a little money." If you want to build something at the lowest possible cost, do it the way building contractors in your area do it. They are in business to make the most money from building houses, so they pay very close attention to alternative methods and adopt the ones that make them more money.

[@geraldinepluyms5935]

Absolutely awesome!!

[@kenhunt5153]

Very interesting. Goodness knows we need dynamic housing options. Using the leftovers from burning coal though is a nonstarter though....extremely hazardous waste. San Juan County is slowing changing which is good. Thanks again.

[@Dliz_empire]

Nice work

[@EldoonNemar]

This makes me happy

[@SFCaels]

Does anyone know what kind of chairs these are 22:14 ?

[@dr.rev.lindabingham]

Blessings to all!

[@cupofkona]

Wonderful!

[@judithbrewer8024]

I love this project please return in 10 years to see if it is still available.

[@carsonwieker]

Incredible, cheers

[@teresamexico309]

It would be also interesting to know: how do they get the water they need and how do they re-use it, if so. Same with the waste disposal o recycling of it. Thanks in advance!

[@erebusaeon6945]

I'm also very interested on how they manage water. My guess is a well, of course. I wonder if there is any kind of reclamation efforts that we didn't see.

[@lula_leftist]

Great video 🤩

[@madisonbrigman8186]

there is something very similar to that system that was developed for a competition from Clemson. i’m not sure if it’s exactly the same or not, but i’m an architecture student here and i see plywood furniture like that everywhere. small world!

[@brucecggallagher1949]

this is so moving

[@Rahmanvlog574]

greetings from Indonesia good video thank you for sharing hope you are always good and healthy

[@caststagemysteries]

So encouraging.

[@lordeverybody872]

She was so happy

[@genzvideos]

So nice

[@aaronmoore1171]

I was a little confused because after showing a series of buildings that looked like architectural, artistic wonders, we are taken to a rather simple house and explore that one. Not that there is anything wrong with a simple house, but the artistic ones seemed empty. Do people live in all the other, highly original artistic ones also?

[@michalstepanek6620]

i very like projects like this one. Please Kirsten, can you recommend some high school or regular annual training cours for teenagers in the US or Europe ? My son (12) is very interesting in building and architecture so we would like to "sent" him to some school like this in the future. I am civil building college graduated but i felt for a long time a lack of simple practice as I see i in your videos (especially in this one :-) ) . Thank you very much in advance.

[@desertdirk1]

The last house you featured seemed like typical wood framing, but with adobe or lime plaster on the walls. Do you know how the walls were covered to accept the clay? Did they use chicken wire?

[@nuclearmaga9694]

very nice.... is food grown.... for self-sufficiency

[@dalepointer9414]

A HOME A HOUSE A PLACE TO STAY ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND UNIQUE WAY ODD TO SOME UNUSUAL TASTE PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH WITH LITTLE WASTE

[@ekureedafedaniel2622]

It's okay and protective

[@thomasstorrs6345]

My understanding that this and related techniques all need exemption from present day building codes.

[@rockingredpoppy9119]

I believe the size of the smaller out buildings themselves may exempt them from any codes, or how they are anchored to the ground. The larger building(s) maybe the only structures to need to pass code.

[@cathycoryell2351]

The reservation land is exempt. Native lands have their own sovereign nation, and do not have to comply with other US government regulations, or customs, standards. Many reservations are the "less desirable" land in the area that was designated for native reservations. The us government was not trying to help them, when the land deals were made. Generations of obstacles, restrictions and complex reconciliation of traditional vs. modern living are happening.

[@koenzeeman6762]

You would expect to see more "earthship" builds seeing the climate parameters or more permacultuur earthwork Technics to capture water. Im quite stunned they still prefere wood as building material in arid climate😅

[@interviewervonartista570]

They could make some book cases I guess, its easy to drill shelves in?

[@lavonneschultz2362]

WZHAT IS THE FULL COST??

[@willsalazarramirez5139]

CHICLAYO PERU 🇵🇪

[@spaceforthesoul6286]

Cool

[@neoamerican3392]

Difference between modular and mobile homes

[@aishahabidemi9282]

💗💗💗💗

[@carrieraupp757]

♥️

[@risasb]

22:15 H O M E ❤

[@MrSeattledan]

woaw.I am surprised to see buildings even if its 1 story near that visual and natural beauty. NO land protection? weiird?

[@crazywisdom2]

Cool vid. The Accordion Doors need a new plan.

[@punjabseth260]

👌🏻