To minimize their own environmental impact, they designed their own ‘LOW-IMPACT WOODLAND HOME’ in Wales. Simon and his father-in-law built it with the help of friends. In Simon’s words:
“The house was built with maximum
regard for the environment and by reciprocation gives us a unique opportunity
to live close to nature. Being your own (have a go) architect is a lot of fun
and allows you to create and enjoy something which is part of yourself and the
land. Main tools used: chainsaw, hammer and
1-inch chisel, little else really. Oh and by the way, I am not a builder or
carpenter, my experience is only having a go at one similar house 2 years before and
a bit of mucking around in between. This kind of building is accessible to
anyone. My main relevant skills were being able bodied, having self-belief and
perseverance and a mate or two to give a lift now and again.”
The house is about 50 m2 (540
ft2) in floor area, including a loft bedroom. It is insulated with
straw bales in the floor, walls and roof. Although it is dug into a hillside
and covered in earth, the home is open to a patio off the loft on the uphill
side. Large windows opening out to the patio keep the house bright.
 |
PLAN |
SECTION |
The following are the environment-friendly features of the home:
- Dug into hillside for low visual impact and shelter
- Stone and mud from diggings used for retaining walls, foundations etc
- The frame of oak thinnings (spare wood) from surrounding woodland
- Reciprocal roof rafters are structurally and aesthetically 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…)
- Wood burner for heating – renewable and locally plentiful
- Flue goes through big stone/plaster lump to retain and slowly release heat
- The 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 the pond for garden etc.
http://smallhousebliss.com/2012/07/11/low-impact-home-by-simon-dale/
No comments:
Post a Comment