Hello to Amber, one of the bloggers trying out for a spot on the Re-Nest editorial team. Comments are welcome!

When we saw this bamboo structure a few years ago at a self-sustaining cooperative called Rancho Mastatal, near La Cangreja National Park in Costa Rica, we thought it might be just a Swiss Family Robinson idealist's dream. At the time, making living quarters out of highly renewable resources seemed a little bit old-school and a little bit unreasonable. We unearthed this photo, though, and were immediately inspired.

Now, sustainable buildings are popping up all over the place. And while they may not be as open-air as this one, they incorporate nature and eco-friendliness at every turn.

We rent an apartment, so we have nothing we can remodel—but we're rethinking all the ways that small sustainable choices can make an appearance: a bamboo drying rack, a hemp hammock on the back porch, even recycled water bottles turned into drip irrigation systems.

What ways have you delved into the eco-friendly building challenges?

More info: Rancho Mastatal

-Amber