TCDW is a week-long series of a events celebrating real, radical, local design. The Mission: To showcase local design that solves real-world problems, to fuel Northern Michigan’s design culture, and unite our interdisciplinary design community. Whether you’re a designer or a design enthusiast, TCDW invites you to celebrate, learn, and shape the future of design in our region.

GRANT AWARDED

Ellis and Sophie were awarded environmentalist of the year in the business category. The Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council (NMEAC) is dedicated to preserving our natural environment through citizen action and education. Founded in 1980 we are the oldest grassroots environmental organization in the Grand Traverse region. This year we celebrate our 45th anniversary. As an all-volunteer organization, we are working on a number of issues and want to share them with you.

Join Studio For Now for a discussion about the benefits, challenges, and transformative potential of building with natural materials like straw and mud. In this session, we’ll explore the history of natural building and its potential revolutionary impact on housing, climate resilience, and community empowerment. Building with Straw will feature insights from Joe Trumpey, who has completed three straw bale structures in Michigan, and Aziza and Nyame, who are leading the Detroit Straw Bale Revolution and moderated by Elle Gover, design researcher at Bloom Housing and board member at Bale Craft.

BEYOND THE BALE A deep dive into the growing world of prefabricated straw buildings. This issue offers a good overview of prefabricated straw construction today and an in-depth look at straw panels history, current producers, and potential future. Not merely a technical examination, this issue engages in what kind of world panels could enable: are they what will finally push natural building into the mainstream? Order now so that you can join the conversation!

Straw, clay, black locust, and recycled glass make up key components of this Bear Lake home. ​ Led by builder Thomas Hirsch of Benzonia-based Bungalow Builders and architectural designer Ellis Wills Begley of Bale Craft, the project embraces sustainable methods, incorporating materials like straw-clay insulation, black locust wood, and foamed glass aggregate. This unique structure offers a glimpse into the future of eco-friendly and healthier living spaces.

That’s the belief of the people behind the Natural Building & Healthy Home Symposium, a conference taking place today (Saturday) that will examine “how natural building practices and non-toxic materials can be used to create homes that are more healthy, more affordable, and more in harmony with nature.” The event is part of broader effort that could eventually lead to the development of prototype healthy homes right here in Michigan.