A Low Impact Woodland Home
Maybe that last post has got me on a Mother Earth News mindset, but I think this site is amazing. This house was built in 1000-1500 man hours for 3000 lbs in Wales. Low impact, low cost, very nice. The whole site is worth digging into, for stories about the construction which was done by a young couple whilst managing two toddlers!
Some key points of the design and construction:
- Dug into hillside for low visual impact and shelter
- Stone and mud from diggings used for retaining walls, foundations etc.
- Frame of oak thinnings (spare wood) from surrounding woodland
- Reciprocal roof rafters are structurally and aesthaetically fantastic and very easy to do
- Straw bales in floor, walls and roof for super-insulation and easy building
- Plastic sheet and mud/turf roof for low impact and ease
- Lime plaster on walls is breathable and low energy to manufacture (compared to cement)
- Reclaimed (scrap) wood for floors and fittings
- Anything you could possibly want is in a rubbish pile somewhere (windows, burner, plumbing, wiring...)
- Woodburner for heating - renewable and locally plentiful
- Flue goes through big stone/plaster lump to retain and slowly release heat
- Fridge is cooled by air coming underground through foundations
- Skylight in roof lets in natural feeling light
- Solar panels for lighting, music and computing
- Water by gravity from nearby spring
- Compost toilet
- Roof water collects in pond for garden etc.
via the Make Blog
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1 comment:
Awesome! I love low-impact construction. This particular dwelling has a Hobbitish feel to it.
One of my reasons for choosing to go car-less is environmental.
John
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