This month's magazine has and article starting on page 52 authored by Mike Oehler. Does anyone have any experience with this described building technique. I would build in the Southwest so large amounts of moisture would not be present. It appears kinda similar to the "Earthship" technique employed around the Taos area of New Mexico, only slicker.

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), December 16, 2000

Answers

JLS<

I have one under construction and look for completion in the spring. I bought Mike's book about a year and a half ago. Well worth the money in my opinion.

The part of the country that you are in should be well suited, for earth sheltered building. Good luck, and press on.

One more thing that I found interesting is that when I called the toll free number to order my book the phone rang in Mike's underground house in Idaho; and Mike was answering his own phone that day.

-- Ed Copp (OH) (edcopp@yahoo.com), December 17, 2000.

I don't think he has any sort of big operation, Ed. I bought my book from him personally at the MREA Energy Fair (Amherst, Wisconsin) in 1999. He had a small set-up with a rack of his books and a model he had made of a couple of his designs. He was pleasant to chat with. Gee, I should have had him autograph the books, eh?

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), December 17, 2000.

Ed, I ordered the book and Mike is still answering his business phone and chatting. It will be interesting to read.

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), December 17, 2000.