This blog is primarily about a research project I am doing on affordable eco-homes. The aim is to understand how we can create more opportunities for people on low incomes to self-build their own eco-homes in rural areas. What? ‘Affordable eco-homes’ is a one year research project on low cost eco-housing. The aim of the … Continue reading Details about affordable eco-homes research project
On local community radio
Yesterday (Sunday 18th April) I was interviewed live for my local community radio station - The Eye 103FM (www.103theeye.co.uk) - on the need for affordable eco-homes. It was good fun - I enjoy a challenging interview that occasionally goes off on interesting tangents. It was also good to be doing something so local and articulating the importance … Continue reading On local community radio
Straw bale council house, Lincolnshire
Today I visited the nearly complete first straw bale council houses in Britain (2 three bedroom homes). North Kesteven District Council have been building these houses at Brumby Crescent in Waddington, Lincolnshire and they are due to have tenants move in end of April 2010. Designed by amazonails (http://www.amazonails.org.uk) they are a beautiful building with wonderful wooden … Continue reading Straw bale council house, Lincolnshire
Useful source for inspiring examples
The Building and Social Housing Foundation (www.bshf.org) is interested in identifying and transferring good practice in building, along with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and social justice. Moreover, they are linked to the World Habitat Awards (http://www.worldhabitatawards.org) were there is an excellent worldwide database on previous winners/finalists. It is both a great research resource and a useful way for … Continue reading Useful source for inspiring examples
Useful books
There are a large number of books about eco-building, eco-living and eco-communities, but far fewer which deal with issues of affordability as well as sustainability. A few I have come across recently are: Liddell, H (2008) Eco-minimalism: the antidote to eco-bling. RIBA Publishing, London A great book which argues that careful integrated ecological design is … Continue reading Useful books
ECO-HOMES + COMMUNITIES 