Local Materials, Small Designs and DIY Labor Equals Sustainable and Affordable Housing
By Owen Geiger
What does it take to build truly sustainable houses – the kind people really want and can afford – and not some greenwashing hype? Most contractor-built houses are not affordable to the masses, so obviously something is amiss. And because buildings account for the largest share of energy use and cause devastating effects to our world, most are not sustainable. Our modern society is so off track that $22 million dollar monstrosity homesare LEED approved and certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, the Florida Green Building Coalition and Energy Star for Homes. How can homes like this be considered sustainable?
So while many buildings are labeled green by their designers, builders, owners and green building organizations, it’s easy to see that many obviously fall far short of the goal. The seriousness of this issue warrants a closer look at how to more accurately define sustainable development and learn how to build safe, affordable homes for ourselves.
The ultimate goal is to do no harm as we try to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development means living within the carrying capacity of the environment. This necessarily means letting go of excess – downsizing to only what’s needed and avoiding unnecessary items.
Building small is the way to go. Why spend all that time and money for something you don’t really need? You can save every step of the way when you build small. Initial building costs are lower, and you’ll save money on heating, cooling and long-term maintenance. And remember, you can always add on later, so think of the first part of the home as the core elements.
The use of local natural materials is a key part of sustainable development. Instead of transporting materials from hundreds or thousands of miles away, it’s far better to use what is at hand. Take note of the minimally processed, low-embodied energy natural building materials that you have locally available: Stone? Clay? Straw? Sand and gravel? Sustainable wood supply? Recycled materials? How were houses built hundreds of years ago in your area? That will give you clues as to appropriate choices.
If you build small and use natural building materials, then most likely you’ll be able to build your own home in a reasonable amount of time for cash. That’s right, you can eliminate the most expensive part of the home when you build your own small, sustainable home – the mortgage. Natural building materials are ideally suited for DIYers on a tight budget. Most are dirt cheap or even free. Anyone can cut and peel wood poles, and gather clay, sand, gravel and other supplies a little at a time. Natural building materials require minimal tools and skills. Think of all the billions of houses built throughout history. Most were simple houses built without electricity, power tools, contractors and architects. All it takes is a little thinking outside the box and you can save a ton of money.
This outlines my solution to our housing problems. Instead of trying to change things beyond our control, create a new reality instead -- build a sustainable world one home, one neighborhood at a time.
Here are a couple of good arguments for sustainable building techniques from Algeria:
Use of local building materials and building techniques in providing affordable housing | Changemakers
The use of appropriate local materials and local labor for low-cost environment-friendly construction. | Changemakers
This is an example closer to home:
Builder keeps it local to develop eco-friendly home near Colyton
PUBLISHED: 07:00 01 May 2017 | UPDATED: 08:41 01 May 2017
Beech Croft
A Colyton construction company has made use of materials that were close to home in developing a new house in Southleigh.
Triway Construction Ltd has used stone and wood from the countryside around the newly-built house of Beech Croft, to construct the eco-friendly property.
A spokesman for the company said: “We have used more than 21 tons of flint in total, picked up off the fields in the same valley as the house, three or four fields away. A large amount of the green oak was cut down in the neighbouring village, Farway. The majority of the labour came from no more than five miles away.”
The spokesman also explained some of the property’s green credentials. The property features underfloor heating all throughout with heat recovery system, and solar thermal system for sourcing hot water.
He said: “A new treatment plant has just been fitted for the property, providing an environmentally sustainable way of saving money on water rates.”
Triway Construction Ltd is now looking for a buyer for the detached house.
Builder keeps it local to develop eco-friendly home near Colyton - Breaking news & sport in Devon | Midweek Herald
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