What does it actually and practically mean to ‘Build Outside The Box?’

The phrase “build outside the box” typically refers to thinking or creating in ways that are unconventional, innovative, or different from traditional methods. It means going beyond the standard or expected approaches and finding unique, creative solutions to problems or challenges.

In the context of business or problem-solving, “building outside the box” can involve:

• Thinking Creatively: Coming up with fresh ideas or approaches that are not bound by conventional rules or patterns.
• Innovating: Developing new products, processes, or strategies that challenge the status quo.
• Taking Risks: Being willing to step outside your comfort zone and try something new, even if it’s untested or uncertain.
• Finding Unique Solutions: Solving problems in ways that others may not have considered, by thinking differently or looking at things from a new angle.

If you’re like a growing number of Australians, you’re tired of seeing generic and badly built housing that is not built for location, climate or longevity.

Not only are these boxes entirely dependent on the grid to function, they are unaffordable, not just to purchase, but to operate, maintain, and ultimately dispose of, because that’s the nature of current conventional housing – with a lifespan measured in decades, it’s disposable.

Fortunately there are so many alternatives to build stronger, healthier homes with better materials. Some of these include: cob, adobe bricks, earthbag, rammed earth. tire walls, aircrete, hempcrete, strawbale, and light straw clay.

You’ve probably heard of some of these, maybe all of them.

These materials represent the spectrum from ancient techniques to modern technologies, it covers thermal mass building envelopes, insulated ones, and ones that use both mass and insulation. Some of these types are more human labor intensive and some rely more on machines, some are relatively quick to construct, some take more time, some are easy to permit, some much less so, some can be used as transitional housing, some can be recycled back into the earth, some are built to last thousands of years.

Houses built from these materials all have something in common. They are not typical boxes built with a typical layout, look, and performance. They all are a rejection of the status quo, saying, “Hey, this conventional way of building is not working, the world is in trouble, we need to change the way we build, right now.”

The Build Outside the Box Mastermind is a resource for those of you considering building a home with alternative and natural materials and want to discover which methods will best suit your climate, budget, skill level and aesthetic.

A follow-along workbook helps students identify their motivations for embarking on their projects and prompts them to identify the solution(s) that will address their needs.

A supportive online community is embedded in the course where students can learn from each other, connect, encourage, assist, refer, and discover new techniques. Live sessions with the Masterminds address challenges and new possibilities while also serving as a forum for lively discussion and Q&A.

The Build Outside the Box Mastermind will only be available from Monday, November 25th – Monday, December 2nd. and there’s a special code NBA100 for all Natural Building Australia supporters here that gets your 20% off the advertised price. Head over to sign up today.