I’m eager to hear what readers think sustainable houses of the future will look like. Please give us your input. In your opinion, what are some exemplary sustainable houses that will guide home design in the future? Key considerations are affordability (hugely important), DIY owner-builder friendly (easy to build), small, space efficient, highly livable, nontoxic, adaptable, renewable energy, extensive use of recycled materials, and of course beautiful and appealing.
ecofriendly
Dr. Sunny Cai’s Earthbag Domes and New Website
“Dr. Sunny Cai (Liang-Juei Cai), Ph.D (in Ecological and Chinese Ancient Architecture), now retired from University and living in Taiwan, is an author and professor specializing in the field of ancient and ecological architectural planning and design. Dr. Sunny not only attempts to build houses with high standards, incorporate carbon reduction but also rummages raw materials, which is recorded in China’s ancient architectural books, to solve environmental pollution issues. Dr. Sunny, as a volunteer, tries to help people who are eager to build a comfortable and green house.
Earth Home Thailand (Maejo Baandin)
“The label “natural building” can refer to a wide variety of construction methods and materials. The natural buildings that we build at Earth Home are made from wood, clay, sand, rice husks, straw and water. Some cement is used in the foundation of the buildings. Since roofs are the most expensive element in the entire … Read more
Smaller is Better in the Tiny House Movement
“The unpredictable economy, recent natural disasters and the fickle housing market are driving many working class Americans to live more frugally. Although downsizing, living simply and being environmentally-conscious are not new ideas to any generation, Millennials graduating with unprecedented amounts of student debt are looking to own, rather than rent, a home. Deciding to turn their backs on the McMansions and SUVS of their forebears, more and more Millennials are buying into the tiny house movement.
KOTARE ECO VILLAGE Welcoming Setters now! New Zealand
“June 2015! The Biggest Launch in our History! You are now welcome to become a settler! Thank you so much for all the interest and support over the years…. We could not have done this without all of you!!!!
Real-life Hobbit Houses – Cae Mabon
“Eric Maddern creates an award-winning “Shangri-la” of natural building in Snowdonia. His buildings re-create indigenous house styles around the world, using natural materials such as wood, mud and straw. He has an octagonal Native American hogan with reciprocal frame roof, strawbale walls and a lime render, a roundhouse with thatched roof, a cob cottage, a cordwood log lodge and a real-life replica of a Hobbit hut!”