I like wooden houses and wooden boats the best but where are you going to find that sturdy, straight grain, first growth fir these days? I can't even find a nice board to make a shelf in the city. On my home island, all the houses are made of cedar and fir. The finishing inside is usually a combination of red and yellow cedar. Floors are fir, maple or even alder. Stone is used for fireplaces, steps and foundations. Roofs used to be shakes but now corrugated metal or asphalt is used because of fire.

mg - The sand houses by Khalili are absolutely beautiful. Do you think they would work in the rain? They look very suitable for the desert. I love the design. I can also see them nestled amongst the dunes near the ocean. I am amazed because its almost as if he has taken an ancient idea and brought it forward. Gorgeous! I think I would need more light but it would be a great little summer cabin. Thanks for the link.