DIY in grand style: In southern Germany they are starting to build a medieval monastery including town using only medieval materials and techniques. Apparently they got a lot more applicants than they have jobs. A similar project is ongoing in France where they are constructing a castle from scratch. They expect to be done in about 40 years and hope to garner enough touristic interest to be self-sustainable:
http://www.spiegel.de/international...to-be-built-in-southern-germany-a-822375.html
http://www.spiegel.de/international...to-be-built-in-southern-germany-a-822375.html