Gaia International

Founded in 1990 this is a loose-knit association of like-minded practitioners, researchers, academics authors and polemicists. Non corporate (even -anti corporate) it is based on a free association of individuals and ideas. During early days of slow acceptance of ideas about eco building and urbanism in Ireland, this group was hugely important in moral support and esprit de corps . Meetings are held at the seat of each member on a rotation, with first of all taking time to get a sense of the place where we are meeting ,(Ireland , Germany , UK, Norway , Sweden , Denmark ) - sometimes a sauna / swim or a walk in the woods . Then sharing of experiences since we last met and finally a projection into the future. Members have diverse interests as well as ecotecture and include sustainable economics , politics and esoteric spiritual dimensions associated with the GAIA ethos . 

Paul Leech has been a member from the beginning and Sally Starbuck for many years since joining the practice . The organic nature of the organisation, which ebbs and flows in a non linear way, is an important part of its ecology , successfully eschewing the stultifying effects of rigid organisation or corporate structures . GAIA ecotecture in Ireland and UK is in the nature of research practice , aiming in each project wherever practicable, to extend the boundaries of realised building in a more sustainable manner; we like to bring the results of that work to our colleagues in GAIA International for comment / discussion and also to use it in guest lecturing teaching and media, such as academic texts and TV / Radio / Web .

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