Woodland Home: Low Impact Living
Main Features:
The building of the house really focused on remaining ecological. Materials from the digging, such as stone and mud, were reused for different aspects of the structure. Other materials were mostly found around in trash piles or donated by manufacturers. The wood for floors and fittings was initially going to be scraped. Insulation consists of straw bales that cover the floor, walls and roof. Plastering was made with Lime plaster which needs lower energy to be manufactured compared to cement.
All energy seems to be coming from renewable sources: heat comes from a wood burner, the fridge is cooled by underground air from foundations and solar panels are used for other electrical energy needed. Most water they use comes by gravity from a nearby spring, they have a compost toilet and collect roof water for their garden.
How was it built?
Thanks to a landowner allowing the family of 4 to build an eco-house in his woodland, construction started. Firstly, a hole was dug into a bank and a stone wall built around the wall foundation. Afterward, Oak trees were propped up and nailed together to form the structure with the help of information from other people who have built ‘roundhouses’.
The hole was covered with DPC plastic and hardwood crates for space to put straw bale insulation. This same straw bale forms the inside walls, staked together with hazel sticks. The floor consists of split logs and palettes with floorboards on top. The roof consists of cotton sheets under straw bales covered up with plastic to protect from the rain and topped with earth. There is also a skylight in the center of the roof.
The rear wall has windows which were supplied by a double glazing supplier. Any gaps were filled with straw and the bales were chainsaw trim smooth to form the rounded corners. Finally plastering was done and the house was habitable. We can surely see that the building required hard work yet low costs and it can be accomplished by almost anyone with some motivation!
Beautiful philosophy:
Simon, his wife Jasmine and their son and daughter, live with a beautiful inspiring philosophy. They believe in living closer to nature, reducing our consumption and developing skills to get the most of our lands and ecosystem. Please visit the website www.simondale.net for more pictures and information. There is also a great forum where people can share ideas.
