EcoNest Architecture & EcoNest Building Company

Founded in 1998…

EcoNest began as a design-build collaboration between architect Paula Baker-Laporte and builder, Robert Laporte. With Paula’s background in design and Building Biology and Robert’s experience in timber framing and pioneering development of natural building in North America, the EcoNest concept of natural, healthy timber frame, light straw clay homes was born.

EcoNest homes have been built all over North America and more than 2,500 students from all over the world have learned this highly specialized building technique. Robert and Paula have published two EcoNest books together and were instrumental in bringing light straw clay construction into the International Residential Building Code.

In the last 25 years, EcoNest has grown and evolved into two sister companies: EcoNest Architecture Inc., and EcoNest Building Company.

EcoNest Architecture specializes in custom healthy home design as well as consulting with architects, builders and homeowners all over the world to create healthy, nurturing homes. Robert has (mostly) retired from building custom homes and is primarily focused on teaching the meditative craft of timber framing, building small timber frame structures (backyard nests) and  consulting on natural building projects.