In 2003 Eva and Marcus embarked on a journey to build their dream house, a sustainable home designed and build to have a minimum impact on the environment and provide a healthy and save place for the family to live in. Their goal was to take traditional, natural materials and combine them with 21st century technology. Rather then trying to turn the clock back like many alternative living styles promote, Eva, Marcus and Norees wanted to make the transition into a future with a more sustainable way of living. Their plans reach beyond the actual structure of the house to include the land as well. Eventually they will develop a permaculture garden that extends from the house into a sustainably managed forest.
In this video Marcus shows us how the various elements have been incorporated into their home and supporting infrastructure.
Tour of the house (rooms, size, overview)- Siting of the home, passive solar
- Rammed earth home
- Interview with Meror Krayenhoff of Terra Firma Rammed Earth Builders
- Natural finishes (milk paint, oils, wax, full wood cabinets, unfinished pine ceiling, unfinished cedar siding)
- Off-grid energy system
- Interview with Kevin Pegg of Energy Alternatives
- Appliances
- Lighting
- DC wiring
- Low EMR wiring
- Space heating (propane boiler, wood stove)
- Water systems (fresh water, waste water, water saving appliances, low pressure water flow)
- Concrete tile roof
- Future projects
