Housing dreams again
Oh dear, I did indeed watch another episode of Grand Designs. Now I am trawling the internet for my housing dreams - as though if I get my head around it enough then it is as good as done.
I am pretty keen on straw bale or other eco-housing ideas, constructed with volunteer labour force as an act of community. However, size and cost are a serious consideration - my dream is to live in a place suitable for community life: large, accommodating common living space, a kitchen that can accommodate at least a couple of people working in it together, a separate prayer space (chapel), plus multiple decent-sized bedrooms (big enough to accommodate two people each, plus personal belongings) that offer some privacy (i.e. not all in one section of the house with only a wall to separate - I want to share life with other people, but not quite that closely), not to mention adequate bathroom facilities.
To built that upfront in a straw-bale build could get pricey. Adding on as required would be a possibility, but I would want to start with at least 3 bedrooms for those living there plus at least one room for a guest/retreatant... It's already looking kind of large for a straw bale house if the idea is that it be cheap. Straw bale builds (in Australia at least) can cost between $800-$1800 a square metre. That may be a cheaper house than usual, although through my research I undertsand that most of the savings would come from volunteer labour. To hire people to do it would make the upfront cost almost as much as a standard house (although after that it should be cheaper to "run" - heating, cooling, etc).
But I have come across the idea of "tiny houses" on the internet, and tonight they are speaking to me.
What if we started with a cheap common living space - perhaps for just a big rectangle, straw bale would be cheap enough, otherwise perhaps a steel kit home... Or, the next thing I have to look into is earth bag builds. There was another episode of Grand Designs that used earth-packed old car tyres, covered in render. That looked good too, but I'd want to reseach any toxins the rubber could release over time, and whether that would escape through the render.
So, figure out a way to make a simple rectangle to accommodate a common living space, a dining table, a kitchen (of some sort), laundy, and toilet. Clearly it would need to be connected to water and elecricity.
And then... build these: http://www.simplesolarhomesteading.com/
Image © SimpleSolarHomesteading
That way we could each have a private space, and each have the freedom to be a bit expressive in our style, with each tailoring their space to their needs. Perhaps those who have children can build two side-by-side to get a little extra living space? Also then there is no limit to how many we can build. Well, there would be a limit, council-wise, if they were all plumbed and wired in, but if they use solar power, and have a little water tank each, and a eco-toilet of some kind (composting as in this example, or a camping toilet as you would if you were caravanning), then they wouldn't be considered "permanent dwellings" by council standards, and so should be permitted. I would like to talk with someone official about all the ins and out and allowances, restrictions, loopholes etc before any of this actually starts becoming reality, but I need to have ideas before I can seek advice. Still definitely in the research stages (and will be until we have enough money together for a deposit and all those cost associated with buying land somewhere and starting a *very economic* build).
I must say... I never really thought of myself as someone who would want to build. I always thought I would be far more traditional and just buy a house somewhere. Bulding seems so.... skill- and knowledge-heavy. But... since getting in to this eco-conscious way of things, I am thinking more outside the box, and a traditional house just doesn't seem like me anymore. In some ways it is convenient that my interests are so neatly aligning with my Franciscan commitment, but then again, perhaps it is not a coincidence. I was attracted to Franciscan ideas to begin with, so it is no wonder that ethical, simple living attracts me too.
Another thing that really encouraged me tonight was in the episode of Grand Designs I watched, the couple were building a "modern mansion" in Brighton (Episode can be seen here).
Image © Zoopla
It had 3 floors, and one of them was taller than usual, resulting in a house that was more like 3 & 1/2 storeys high. It was massive and ambitious and expensive. During the build, a recession hit and the value of the property, and others the couple owned as investments, plummetted, resulting in the bank refusing to loan them so much money anymore, and then the man needed a quindruple heart bypass when he had a heart attack. After that, the tone of the couple changed, and they were saying that they wouldn't be building this mansion now, and that even the cars they had seemed too much - that is was all so showy that they felt embarrassment. They talked about how, before they had started building their mansion, they already lived better than so many people, and they really didn't need more, and greed had gotten the better of them, and it all seemed a bit unnecessary now. They did mention at the end that they would finish it, since they had come so far, but they didn't know anymore if they would keep it or sell it. (Google tells me they sold it).
It reminded me... there is no need to always be going after more, more, more. Happiness is a far more simple thing. I do not have huge ambitions materially, because I don't have tons of money - enough, but not tons - and so I don't tend to even bother with those huge pointlessly flashy ideas. But I do have to watch out that I don't feel the need to reach for my upper limits even. So much better to keep it simple and not invite that level of stress and strife into your life. I would prefer a small house and no debt (or at least little enough to be paid off comfortably within a foreseeable future).
Aaaand, there is the perfect property for sale for 150,000.... Totally within my borrowing power. Could be paid off in 10 years. But first I need the money for a deposit saved up... Doubt it will still be available in 2-3 years. Alas. Hopefully the perfect property will be there when I am ready for it. In the mean time, I'll practie "tiny house" living right here, in our little granny flat. :)
I am pretty keen on straw bale or other eco-housing ideas, constructed with volunteer labour force as an act of community. However, size and cost are a serious consideration - my dream is to live in a place suitable for community life: large, accommodating common living space, a kitchen that can accommodate at least a couple of people working in it together, a separate prayer space (chapel), plus multiple decent-sized bedrooms (big enough to accommodate two people each, plus personal belongings) that offer some privacy (i.e. not all in one section of the house with only a wall to separate - I want to share life with other people, but not quite that closely), not to mention adequate bathroom facilities.
To built that upfront in a straw-bale build could get pricey. Adding on as required would be a possibility, but I would want to start with at least 3 bedrooms for those living there plus at least one room for a guest/retreatant... It's already looking kind of large for a straw bale house if the idea is that it be cheap. Straw bale builds (in Australia at least) can cost between $800-$1800 a square metre. That may be a cheaper house than usual, although through my research I undertsand that most of the savings would come from volunteer labour. To hire people to do it would make the upfront cost almost as much as a standard house (although after that it should be cheaper to "run" - heating, cooling, etc).
But I have come across the idea of "tiny houses" on the internet, and tonight they are speaking to me.
What if we started with a cheap common living space - perhaps for just a big rectangle, straw bale would be cheap enough, otherwise perhaps a steel kit home... Or, the next thing I have to look into is earth bag builds. There was another episode of Grand Designs that used earth-packed old car tyres, covered in render. That looked good too, but I'd want to reseach any toxins the rubber could release over time, and whether that would escape through the render.
So, figure out a way to make a simple rectangle to accommodate a common living space, a dining table, a kitchen (of some sort), laundy, and toilet. Clearly it would need to be connected to water and elecricity.
And then... build these: http://www.simplesolarhomesteading.com/
Image © SimpleSolarHomesteading
That way we could each have a private space, and each have the freedom to be a bit expressive in our style, with each tailoring their space to their needs. Perhaps those who have children can build two side-by-side to get a little extra living space? Also then there is no limit to how many we can build. Well, there would be a limit, council-wise, if they were all plumbed and wired in, but if they use solar power, and have a little water tank each, and a eco-toilet of some kind (composting as in this example, or a camping toilet as you would if you were caravanning), then they wouldn't be considered "permanent dwellings" by council standards, and so should be permitted. I would like to talk with someone official about all the ins and out and allowances, restrictions, loopholes etc before any of this actually starts becoming reality, but I need to have ideas before I can seek advice. Still definitely in the research stages (and will be until we have enough money together for a deposit and all those cost associated with buying land somewhere and starting a *very economic* build).
I must say... I never really thought of myself as someone who would want to build. I always thought I would be far more traditional and just buy a house somewhere. Bulding seems so.... skill- and knowledge-heavy. But... since getting in to this eco-conscious way of things, I am thinking more outside the box, and a traditional house just doesn't seem like me anymore. In some ways it is convenient that my interests are so neatly aligning with my Franciscan commitment, but then again, perhaps it is not a coincidence. I was attracted to Franciscan ideas to begin with, so it is no wonder that ethical, simple living attracts me too.
Another thing that really encouraged me tonight was in the episode of Grand Designs I watched, the couple were building a "modern mansion" in Brighton (Episode can be seen here).
Image © Zoopla
It had 3 floors, and one of them was taller than usual, resulting in a house that was more like 3 & 1/2 storeys high. It was massive and ambitious and expensive. During the build, a recession hit and the value of the property, and others the couple owned as investments, plummetted, resulting in the bank refusing to loan them so much money anymore, and then the man needed a quindruple heart bypass when he had a heart attack. After that, the tone of the couple changed, and they were saying that they wouldn't be building this mansion now, and that even the cars they had seemed too much - that is was all so showy that they felt embarrassment. They talked about how, before they had started building their mansion, they already lived better than so many people, and they really didn't need more, and greed had gotten the better of them, and it all seemed a bit unnecessary now. They did mention at the end that they would finish it, since they had come so far, but they didn't know anymore if they would keep it or sell it. (Google tells me they sold it).
It reminded me... there is no need to always be going after more, more, more. Happiness is a far more simple thing. I do not have huge ambitions materially, because I don't have tons of money - enough, but not tons - and so I don't tend to even bother with those huge pointlessly flashy ideas. But I do have to watch out that I don't feel the need to reach for my upper limits even. So much better to keep it simple and not invite that level of stress and strife into your life. I would prefer a small house and no debt (or at least little enough to be paid off comfortably within a foreseeable future).
Aaaand, there is the perfect property for sale for 150,000.... Totally within my borrowing power. Could be paid off in 10 years. But first I need the money for a deposit saved up... Doubt it will still be available in 2-3 years. Alas. Hopefully the perfect property will be there when I am ready for it. In the mean time, I'll practie "tiny house" living right here, in our little granny flat. :)