House in the woods

My friend Eliane has two cottages on her property in Martinique. One was built using wood and twigs that were found growing around the property while the other was built from mostly store bought lumber and clay roofing tiles. I was very impressed. They were built by a Canadian from Montreal who is occupying the very rustic cottage above. It took him three months to build the twig house.

Notice the concrete footings for support.

 

The roof is made from sugar cane tops. I asked if it leaked and was told no.

I can only admire the patience and skill of the builder.

The outdoor shower, I asked about the toilet and was told that there was a dry one nearby.

Clay tiles form the roof of this cottage.

This cottage was made from store bought hardwood. The door was a mixture of twigs and hardwood.

These houses have given me inspiration to build similar ones using local materials. I think bamboo, khus khus grass (vetiver), sugar cane tops and planting trees as the four corner posts. Hmmm food for thought!