housing – Page 11 – Things Are Good

Natural Architecture

Natural Architecture

Using trees to create shelter is nothing new, but it’s something neat when the trees are grown in a way that provides shelter while the trees can continue to live. Indeed, regular readers may remember that furniture has been made out of growing trees in particular ways. Arborsculpture can also be taken further into actually making large buildings, and this is called natural architecture.

the ‘natural architecture’ movement aims to expand on ‘land art’
by acting as a form of activism rather than protest. this new
form of art aims to capture the harmonious connection we
seek with nature by merging humanity and nature through
architecture. the core concept of the movement is that
mankind can live harmoniously with nature, using it for our
needs while respecting its importance.

Fight for Your Right to Dry

This is an issue that I never put thought to before because in Canada we don’t have nearly as many as these bizarre closed communities and suburban housing boards. Anyway, in the states communities limit what you can do with your house in order to maintain an aesthetic of sameness. Environmentalists who want to air dry their clothing on clotheslines are getting in trouble becuase of community regulations.

Now there is a movement in America that is fighting for their right to dry.

The regulations of the subdivision in which Ms. Taylor lives effectively prohibit outdoor clotheslines. In a move that has torn apart this otherwise tranquil community, the development’s managers have threatened legal action. To the developer and many residents, clotheslines evoke the urban blight they sought to avoid by settling in the Oregon mountains.

Spying on Heat Loss

There’s a neat post over at MetaFilter on spy satellites and how they are being used to highlight inefficient housing. A community in London have used thermal imaging to find houses that leak the most heat, then they put the map online.

This is part of an effort to get residents to improve the insulation on their houses in order to cause less environmental damage.

Make Your Room a Minimalist Room

I like minimalism, and living in a minimalist home can be good for you. The benefits of a minimalist home include less stress, looks better, and is easier to clean.

Quality over quantity. Instead of having a lot of stuff in your home, a minimalist would choose just a few really good things he loves and uses often. A really nice table, for example, is better than 5 pieces of press-board furniture.

How to Make a Cool Home

Air conditioners are bad for the environment so it’s obviously good if you can avoid using one. It’s easier than you think! At Freshome they have complied a handy list that has many tricks to keep your house cool without using AC. Over at PlanetFriendly there is a list of alternatives to air conditioners.

From Freshome:

The most common sources of internal heat gain are; appliances, electronic devices, and lighting. Be aware from where the heat is comming. Now if you have air conditioning, use it wisely. Donâ€™t put lamps, televisions or other heat-generating appliances next to your air-conditioning thermostat, because the heat from these appliances will cause the air conditioner to run longer. The heat they produce will make it think your house is warmer than it really is, and your system will run harder than it needs to.