A businessman from Kazakhstan ordered the construction of this unconventional house in the heart of nature. He wanted to escape the madness of the city, but without giving up the comfort of an urban housing. He moved from Alma Ata, the capital city of Kazakhstan to the nearby forest and into this incredible residence worth 240,000 pounds. The house was designed by Aibek Almasov and is made entirely out of glass and built around a 12 meters high tree. The home rests on 4 metal pillars and has four floors, which are connected by a spiral house. The construction lasted 5 months and according to the architect, “the project aims to provide an alternative to the suffocating life of the city, so we designed this house in the middle of nature, without creating a visual distinction from it. My client wanted a house for two people, but it is also an excellent place to relax with friends.” Take a look at this beautiful residence below…

Alternative homes are popping all over the world. The next example comes from Nagano, Japan. The earthbag house may seem like a building coming from fantasy novels, but it is a real place you can live in. The builder, Michi-kun, is an experienced carpenter and permaculturist. He got together 20 volunteers and began work on the inspiring home you can see in the pictures. The walls raised with bags of earth sit on a 60 cm-deep rubble trench foundation. The spiral house draws its name from the way the roof is arranged: in a spiral! There, various kinds of plants are grown. Thus, visitors and dwellers alike can harvest seeds to take to their own gardens. On the interior you can find a rocket stove and other basic furniture required for living simply and in connection with nature.