Eco-monkeys will explore alternative housing in another installment of the What Is… series of articles.

A yurt is a Mongolian home that is becoming popular in the western world because of the low impact it has on the environment. Yurts can be quickly constructed for a low building and very little cost for the upkeep of the house.

Rammed earth homes are made from materials from the earth that it is constructed on. The walls of the structure are made from the dirt in the area and eliminate shipping building materials long distance.

Recycled Structures are a very creative way to reuse larger objects for housing. Using old large boats for housing on land is one way to preserve the boat and keep it in use for years to come after it has been retired from the sea. Shipping containers also make for a solid structure to live in.

Any creative home building and green additions to homes will be covered through this on going series, so stay tuned.

Here are a couple of places for alternatives to the suburban home blues.

http://www.yurts.com/

http://www.diyrammedearth.com/