Uppfinna- a Swedish-inspired name that means “to create.”
That’s exactly what Erik, owner of Uppfinna, loves to do: create spaces, solutions, and opportunities for people to connect with the earth, their community, and their own creativity.
At Uppfinna, natural building is about crafting sustainable structures using time-honored techniques like straw bale, cob, earthen plasters, cordwood, and earth-bermed designs, often paired with passive heating and cooling for energy efficiency. Drawing on my Scandinavian heritage and roots in northern Minnesota, I explore ways to blend these methods with local materials: think clay, wood, or stone; to create everything from garden shelters to community spaces that tread lightly on the earth. My aim is to build environments that inspire, foster connection, and thrive in harmony with nature.
Permaculture, at its core, is a design philosophy inspired by natural ecosystems. It’s about working with nature, not against it- to create sustainable and self-sufficient systems for food, shelter, and community. The principles of permaculture can be applied to nearly any setting, from urban balconies to sprawling farms, making it accessible and practical for everyday life.
For families, it might look like starting a backyard garden that produces fresh vegetables, setting up a rainwater harvesting system, or composting kitchen scraps to enrich the soil. On a community level, it could mean creating shared green spaces, organizing local food co-ops, or building networks of support that help neighbors thrive together.
The beauty of natural building and permaculture is its adaptability and scalability. Whether you’re planting a single fruit tree or designing an entire off-grid homestead, it’s a way to live more intentionally, reduce waste, and cultivate abundance for the people and places you care about.