The International Institute of Ecological Agriculture (IIEA) is the American website for permaculture - a form of ecological farming invented by Bill Mollison in Australia.  

The IIEA website has a comprehensive list of recommended readings, videos and organizations on permaculture and related topics. View their online brochure of Permaculture Design Course Catalog for 2000. Join "Our Farm", a Community Supported Agriculture Project (CSA), providing San Francisco Bay Area residents with ecologically grown produce. They also have links and descriptions of other Permaculture and environment-friendly websites.

Established in 1998, the Permaculture Research Institute moved to a new location in an adjacent shire in mid 2001. There, they are implementing research, education, networking, fund-raising and support, at bioregional, national and international levels.

The original Permaculture Institute was established in 1979 by Bill Mollison to teach the practical design of sustainable land use and community development.

Following Bill Mollison’s retirement, he handed over the management of the 150 acre Tagari Sub-Tropical Research Farm, which adjoined the Permaculture Institute, to a new team headed by Geoff Lawton.

(source:http://www.bigvolcano.com.au/
custom/permaclt/permaclt.htm)

Amsterdam based and globally active Ir. Enno Wiersma B.I., Architect, Urban & Interior designer. This site will supply you with regularly updated information on: Architecture and Art from the global perspective of: Physical and Spiritual Health, Harmony, Ecology, Natural Building, and Architecture as a Language.

The Anglican Church of Whyalla in the diocese of Willochra, Australia is planning an eco-church designed by Paul Downton, one of the founders and directors of Ecopolis Australia

.

The architectural practice of Emilis Prelgauskas is based at Monarto, South Australia. Monarto is situated about 60km east of the South Australian capital Adelaide, on the Mallee plains beyond the abutting Mount Lofty Range of hills. This area is characterised by its desert nature including sandy and high salinity soils with low fertility, arid lands vegetation, low rainfall exentuated by the 'rainshadow' effect of the nearby hills on the watershed. This architectural practice thus emphasises lifestyle and technologies offering self sufficiency and low environmental impact both in the flat land desert and undulating hills areas which are the practice's service area.

From Eric Corey Freed of www.organicarchitect.com:

"I currently find myself in private practice and highly disenchanted with both the so-called "higher" education system and the realities of this profession. For, as I hope you realize, the best of life's lessons are those learned through independent thought and experience. Each day only reaffirms my thoughts, that Architecture is the expression of the Individual. The American university has grown into a microcosm of society, and is the first place one would think to look for a fostering of free thought and Individualism. Sadly, it is the last place any can be found."

Gale & Snowden architects seek to create ecologically sustainable designs.

In both new build and renovation work, clients are encouraged to consider simple, cost effective and practical ecological and energy efficient issues, such as: Maximising solar gain by correct orientation and glazing ratios Specifying suitable levels of insulation. Including thermal mass to store heat. Passive ventilation (non mechanical). Specifying non-toxic materials from sustainable or recycled sources with low embodied energy. Local labour and materials.

There are alternatives to slums, sprawl and suburbs. These books show how to live more within the ecological limits of our home places, to create sustainable communities, and to use natural building techniques.

From New Society Publishers

Living Shelter Design is a small, woman-owned architectural firm that specializes in custom home design and development. We take time to listen intently, and translate your ideas into a fabulous personal space that reflects your individual style.