In more primitive times, people relied on neighbors and local resources to build their homes and related structures. At Kensington Metropark’s Farm Center, dozens of volunteers contributed their time and talent to build the Kids’ Cottage  out of trees, rocks soil and plants found primarily at the park. Built by hand, this “green” building showcases sustainable building techniques while serving as a functional gathering space for interpretive programs. Wood milled from ash trees, along with straw bales, sticks and compressed earthen blocks were used to construct the building; phragmites, an invasive plant, was harvested and used to make the thatched roof. The project was initiated by the Strawbale Natural Building Project with a grant from the State of Michigan Energy Office and designed by Robert B. Prud’homme Design, LLC. The entire project, documented by Great Lakes Green Initiative, can be seen at www.glgi.org.