Somewoman, I saw that same Grand Designs episode. It was fascinating to watch. There is an entire movement dedicated to building these homes and the labour is made up of people who are all building, or want to build, their own earthship. If you have people come and help you it is sort of expect that you will then go on and help someone else down the track, like a pooling of resources. The way they build them are so innovative. There is a family who live about 20km from us who are building one - a straw bale house - our DS's are friends and I can't wait to see it when it is finished. It will be completely off the grid when it is done.
Strawbale seems to work on that cooperative thing as well. They hold "lessons" using a house that is currently being built so that you know what to do when you build yours. It helps them, helps you and when it is your turn to build then you have a "lesson" as your house. We dearly wish to build with strawbale. Trillian it would be great if you could get photos of that house.
I'll remember that Astrid and send them to you. They were supposed to do it last year, but didn't get enough bales, so it was put off, but I think they may have sourced some from somewhere because their kids are back at school - they were homeschooling and she told me she would send them to school once building began because it would be too disruptive for the kids. I haven't seen her to ask though so I am only assuming. It was going to be a big house too - they have 6 kids and were going to make it big enough to fit them better.
Yes I've heard about it and there are actually estates now built for sustainable living where they live like this, sound wonderful, I'd look into living in an estate like this in the future for sure.
Hardest part is finding a good block of land. Though I guess it depends on where you are looking.
DH wants to build into the side of a hill/mountain.
I wonder if we could get loan of the bat mobile, not very eco friendly or fuel efficient I suppose but I think a requirement if you're living in a cave.
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but I think a requirement if you're living in a cave.
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