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November 12, 2007
Self Sufficient Is The Zero House
The idea of home self sufficiency isn't new. I remember conceptual homes in the 60's proposing the same idea but it does bring to question, why don't we see more self sufficient homes being built now? Why are we still reliant on grid power, city pluming, trash services? It would seem technology is at a point now where all those variables can be solved in the ultimate equation of self sufficiency. The Zero House is a good idea just waiting to happen.
The Zero House demonstrates just how future homes can be built anywhere without the need for city utilities. There's a large solar array which doubles as the roof capable of collecting enough energy to power the house for a week without sunlight. Water comes from rain which filters thru a 2,700 gallon cistern. The 2 bedrooms, kitchen, and living area exist as modules, each with their own user controlled climate zones. Those modules are flanked by outdoor decks cleverly placed in areas to act almost like additional living areas. All trash and waste goes to the foundation where it's turned into compost that can be used for gardening and growing food.
Although the design is very modern if not futuristic, there's no reason why the proposed technologies couldn't be integrated into traditional architecture. I wonder if the freeing of homes from the "grid" is more of a logistic reason and if so, the leaders of this country need to step back at look at the bigger picture.
Posted by tranism at 12:05 PM | Permalink
Comments
wow, that is one gorge shack, better than anything on Fire Island !!
Posted by: A.J. at November 12, 2007 4:33 PM
only problem i see with this is if where you live has enough rain, there isnt enough sun and vice versa, but still, this is a good idea, and it would probably work with newer and more efficient solar panels, and it would be awesome if you could rig the thing up with glowsticks to give it a bit of nighttime charge :D.
Posted by: macha88 at November 12, 2007 7:06 PM
We used to have self-sufficient housing. They were called Mud Huts. Or Caves.
Solar power, rain-water-drinking and such are viable options in a relatively small geographic area - and they tend to NOT be areas where a large number of people live. Does Tokyo get enough sunlight to power its housing? Would you like to drink Mexico City's rain water? Would you want every house in your neighborhood dumping its grey and wastewater into the water table?
If you want to get an idea of what its like to live in "self-sufficient" housing, all you need to do is visit the un-developed areas of India, China, and other such 2nd and 3rd world states - cardboard and tin building materials, hot and cold running sewage, and all the cholera and dysentery you could ever want.
I welcome the idea of people living as independently as possible, but we need to be realistic - wasting time on "dream homes" is counterproductive. At current prices and availability, the only people who can afford to live in such "green mansions" are the wealthy. I'd much rather see photoelectrics come down in price, and building codes and contractor knowledge advance into at least the late 20th century..
Posted by: JMH at November 15, 2007 8:25 AM