Illustrations: Small Strawbale Home (Poland) Larger Off-Grid Strawbale Home (Grass Lake, MI)
Our homes will be as diverse as our residents, but in keeping with our ecological community values natural building is highly encouraged. We especially favor strawbale insulated homes as a highly ecological and energy-efficient option, followed by sheep’s wool and blown cellulose. Wool has the advantage of improving indoor air quality by removing impurities. Fossil fuel based materials have greater negative impact, but generally we welcome any homes that will meet our criteria for low energy consumption. As an off-grid community, each home requires a renewable energy system and a non-fossil heating source — (one reason why energy efficiency is so important). Based on our present site design we anticipate that each house will be equipped with composting toilet(s) and an individual grey-water system.
We encourage residents to design their own homes to meet their specific needs and tastes, and we offer initial assistance in home design. For example, we have our own Co-op Home designed for 4 unrelated individuals or couples, with architectural drawings by local passivehaus certifier and architect Christina Snyder. The co-op home is an ideal first home for the community for several reasons, and we are looking for co-owners or renters of this home! Besides our designs, there are also many great home designs available online; we are featuring on this page two examples from TinyHousePlans.com for lower cost options and one from Strawbale.com for a larger option. We encourage residents to help build their own homes, and we may be able to arrange a work trade system so residents can bank labor with one another.
Our Co-op Home Design
Our Co-op Home is designed for four individuals or couples to live cooperatively, co-owning or renting the home together. It features a spacious 2200 sq. ft. open floor plan, strawbale construction, wood stove, interior cob wall surfaces and/or light clay straw, attached tropical greenhouse, interior balcony, and an outdoor area for small livestock. This home will serve as an early common house for the community so residents should expect community meetings, gatherings, meals, classes or shows to occur occasionally. If you are interested in learning more, please email us!
Selected Ready-To-Order Designs
Available from TinyHousePlans.com, the Mini-Motives Tiny Home is 196 sq.ft., and is an excellent example of the most frugal housing options available. Click the picture for the link.
Available from TinyHousePlans.com, the Applegate Strawbale Cottage is 643 sq.ft. (plus 200 sq.ft. loft), and shows that permanent, straw-bale construction needn’t be expensive. Click on the picture for link.
Available from Strawbale.com, the Eco-Family Strawbale Home is 1500 sq.ft. and with 2-3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, this home meets most modern family standards. Click on the picture for link.