Maybe everyone doesn't dig living in the woods. Several factors could contribute to the negative aspects of outdoor living such as bugs, lack of modern conveniences most people are accustomed to, and the whole being the middle of nowhere issue! However, there are some innovative people who've overcome these issues, and others, to create a close friendship with nature and live a more environmentally friendly life. Nope, they're not out of their minds, they recognize benefits of their chosen lifestyle and those for the environment.
In Pembrokeshire, Wales, a brave family set to building a house, themselves, well nearly alone. Simon Dale, his wife Jasmine and their children were somewhat pioneers in creating their unique woodland home. 3,000 pounds, four months, about 1000-1400 man hours from passersby a father in law and friends, the house was complete.
Take a look at the woodland how to see why its so untypical compared to other homes (see pictures on Simon's site) http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm
Simon's Woodland House
- 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 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...)
- 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.
A short list of tools including a chainsaw, hammer and 1 inch chisel-tool were used. He built a whole house with only these!
Simon talks about his experience;
'Not a builder or carpenter, my experience is only having a go at one similar house 2yrs before and a bit of mucking around in between.'
The house is built on what is called Permaculture land in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The idea was created by someone called Tony Wrench who has also built homes like Simon's.
'Permaculture is a set of design principles for human scale, sustainable systems. It is based on the three ethics of 'people care, earth care and fair shares'. It provides an approach that is most frequently applied to small scale agriculture, but can equally be applied to buildings, domestic systems or community interactions to name a few.'
Its important to mention eco-villages when discussing something like Simon's house. They are described by Tony Wrench as:
'Designed along Permaculture lines in which people find a new sense of purpose; develop new skills; design and build energy efficient natural homes; and grow and eat good organic food. They would be working and living as equals within walking distance of dozens of others of like mind, in a safe and healthy child-friendly environment that they themselves help to form. These settlements would also provide habitats for a greater variety of plants and animals than was there before - both wild and domesticated - whether the site was a quarry, an airstrip, a piece of city waste land or a farm. Eco-villages are much more self-sufficient than ordinary towns and villages - they are therefore much more likely to offer their residents survival and continued good quality of life in the case of total breakdown in society.'
These types of more environmentally friendly villages are on the rise, like the eco-schools I've mentioned on my blog before. In an article from WalesOnline by Steffan Rhys, talks about who's creating them, why and where. Greater interest in these types of homes/communities is due to the escalating energy prices, says the article. .http://tinyhouseblog.com/earthcob/simonshouse/
When reading about these villages and people like Simon, its possible to see how, even if it may not be for everyone, being daring can be satisying and produce unique results. They're definitely not a cookie cutter family, they know how to color outside the lines!
Simon speaks on what he'd say to people who'd follow his path-
'Having your own home which is a part of you can be simple. Start from "what do I need?" and "what do I have?" not "what can I buy?" or "what do other people do?". Do a Permaculture course or read a book. Be inventive, try things out, do things the easy way. Look in skips. BE BOLD.'
Read more about Simon's eco house on a blog called Tiny House Blog at
http://tinyhouseblog.com/earthcob/simonshouse/
Tony Wrench. 1992. Modified April 2005
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