Our Eco House Plans Outline
So here's a basic outline of our plans:
- We, Mum - Sarah, Dad - Paul, three children and Pumpkin the dog are joining resources with Sarah's Mum for an eco self build which will create a family home for all of us.
- We have been researching eco building and self build for several years now - using the internet, reading books, going to show, going on courses etc.
- We sold our house in West Yorkshire in Winter 2009, then move into a rented house in Devon early 2010. Sarah's Mum moved to Devon with us in Summer 2010 and once she sells her house in Yorkshire we'll buy land.
- Once we have land, we'll probably work with Amazonnails (for the drawing up of plans etc.) as we are going to use straw bales for the main walls or maybe we'll find a local Devon company.
- Then it's onto planning permission, building regulations and hopefully beginning building in 2012.
Our House/Build
- We are planning to build a straw bale house because of their "greenness" - the wonderful insulation and sound proofing properties of straw and we love the thick walls (in Yorkshire we live in an old stone house).
- The green technologies we plan to include initially are: passive solar heating and passive cooling, a ground/air source heat pump supplying under floor heating, solar hot water, brilliant U-value FSC timber windows, and rain and grey water recycling.
- Throughout the property we plan to use "green" options - like limecrete rather than cement/concrete, lime (external) and clay (internal) plasters, FSC timber, natural insulation (sheep's wool / cellulose) etc.
- On the ground floor of our house we are planning an apartment for Grandma with a shower room and a bedroom/sitting room, a utiltiy/plant room, an open plan living/dinning/kitchen area and a separate library/relaxation/sitting room. On the first floor we are planning four bedrooms one of which will be a second living room, a house bathroom and a generous landing for our children to relax and play together. Then if the budget allows, on the 2nd floor their will be a master bedroom with ensuite shower room and sitting/hobby area.
- We also want a large garden to provide space for our children and Pumpkin to play, lots of trees, a natural water course / wildlife pond, an organic fruit and vegetable garden, outdoor living and much more because I (Sarah) love designing gardens......
- And whilst Paul continues working full-time, I (Sarah) plan to project manage our self build, whilst continuing to home educating our children.
