Log in

View Full Version : Ecovillage project


barehandkiller
2008-07-13, 18:01
Well me and two family members had an idea. We have had somewhat similar thoughts in the past but didnt think it feasible with the financial means and knowledge we had available in those times.

But recently land was acquired which fits our requirments and we have learned more about cheap green building methods(straw bale, cob, sandbag + cob etc). So we had the thought to build cheap but long lasting habitations. And a communal building for toilet and shower stalls. As well as a large building where community gathering could occur if desired for group meditations, conferences or any other spiritual type practice a building like this would be needed for.

We plan to plant fruit trees of many kinds and to have an organic garden big enough to provide enough food for all (In case one day gas prices cause grocery stores to shut down hehe). This is a limited project, with about 15 acres to work with. But we hope it could start something big by spreading. More and more people are getting tired of being slaves to the machine. Living on places such as these we hope people can become more in tune with nature and more spiritually aware(well more aware in all things).

Thats a simple summary of what we would like to create. We are starting a website soon with forums. To connect with people out there that this is of interest too. And to gather ideas and knowledge of how this can be done in a green manner using as little money as possible. We are aware of no places such as this. But if there are similar places we are greatly desiring to know of them so we can see what they have done and maybe connect in some fashion.

We have questions about how this should work financially. We are not doing this to make a profit but there are some not insignificant costs to creating our dream. Say we build a building with 8 living quarters, and someone interested comes along and wants to move in. What would be a fair and proper method of give and take in this situation.

We understand a whole is a sum of all of its parts. And if for example a person who had skill in organic gardening came along we would probably feel it a very good exchange for them staying if in return they took a proactive effort in the care of the community organic gardens. And various other skills could be quite handy to have in an Ecovillage. The persons using and teaching these skills would be welcomed. And those who had the means to help financially im not sure of how the exchange will work. So suggestions and stuff are much needed.

So any thoughts or ideas on this are appreciated. I do not want to make this first post to long, will elaborate further if interest is shown in this.

barehandkiller
2008-07-13, 18:08
The layout and design of the buildings is undecided as of yet. Our first thought was to build individual cabins but 4-8 living quarters in an ice cube tray layout per building may be a more efficient use of space. An the communal living quarters spaced to where bathroom and shower facilities can be easily and quickly accessed by all. And the communal bathrooms would have privacy for those that prefer it(stalls, curtains or something).

Slave of the Beast
2008-07-13, 20:15
Where is this place being built and what relevant skills do your family already possess?

barehandkiller
2008-07-13, 21:39
Where is this place being built and what relevant skills do your family already possess?

On the border of SC and NC. Mostly trade related skills in traditional home building field and related stuff. So they should come in handy with alternate building techniques.

gforce
2008-07-13, 23:33
How many people roughly do you think you want? Because on the food side of things 15 acres is good enough for a modest number of people but alot is dependent on the diet you plan on having.

Illuvatar
2008-07-19, 16:22
Really intersting project, I wanna see how this progress's

barehandkiller
2008-07-21, 22:39
How many people roughly do you think you want? Because on the food side of things 15 acres is good enough for a modest number of people but alot is dependent on the diet you plan on having.

Yeah i was thinking this too. Am trying to figure out how much the land can support atm. As far as what we want to plant, everything that would add to a well balanced diet and that has the highest yields.
Peace

AxisMundi
2008-07-27, 23:10
http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/yabb/forum.pl

GREAT resource

OveRTurE
2008-07-28, 19:26
http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/yabb/forum.pl

GREAT resource
Jesus, thanks for that link mate, lots of good shit there.

AxisMundi
2008-07-28, 22:31
Jesus, thanks for that link mate, lots of good shit there.

Yup. I'm RyanMercer over there :)

barehandkiller
2008-08-21, 03:16
Hey I am back! And I come bearing gifts! Hehe. Here are some of the pictures on our new website i was going to share. Enjoy and share your thoughts. Also if you want to... sign up and get involved over there if anything about our project resonates with you.
Peace

http://theeyeofe.com/index.html
^Heres a link to the front page with a mission statement and goals. You can register from here or just click the next link to go straight to the forums to see the pictures.

http://theeyeofe.com/bb/index.php

AxisMundi
2008-08-21, 11:00
Hey I am back! And I come bearing gifts! Hehe. Here are some of the pictures on our new website i was going to share. Enjoy and share your thoughts. Also if you want to... sign up and get involved over there if anything about our project resonates with you.
Peace

http://theeyeofe.com/index.html
^Heres a link to the front page with a mission statement and goals. You can register from here or just click the next link to go straight to the forums to see the pictures.

http://theeyeofe.com/bb/index.php

Cool :)

nshanin
2008-08-22, 15:47
http://www.econ.utah.edu/~ehrbar/coho/index.htm

I think you'd be better off calling it a "commune".

Issue313
2008-08-24, 03:25
http://www.econ.utah.edu/~ehrbar/coho/index.htm

I think you'd be better off calling it a "commune".

When will you hippies realise that God meant people to live alone, and in constant fear of their neighbours?

nshanin
2008-08-24, 04:15
When will you hippies realise that God meant people to live alone, and in constant fear of their neighbours?

Most people here accept that. My state has ~45% Mormons.

mayor of monkey town
2008-08-25, 15:15
Its a cult.

"The eye of e"
"journey of enlightenment"


Sure its starting off as an ecovillage, but its going to end up with EVERYONE DRINK THE KOOL AID TOGETHER.

Sanity0verRated
2008-09-15, 19:38
Its a cult.

"The eye of e"
"journey of enlightenment"


Sure its starting off as an ecovillage, but its going to end up with EVERYONE DRINK THE KOOL AID TOGETHER.


I lol'd

Dmt_Tengu
2008-09-16, 20:54
fuckin commies

Dmt_Tengu
2008-09-16, 20:55
Its a cult.

"The eye of e"
"journey of enlightenment"


Sure its starting off as an ecovillage, but its going to end up with EVERYONE DRINK THE KOOL AID TOGETHER.

lol jonestown was my first thought when i read this shit

xilikeeggs0
2008-09-17, 05:42
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Village_(film)

aTribeCalledSean
2008-09-21, 20:03
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture

www.permaculture.org

Permaculture: This is how you should grow your food. Your 15 acres of cropland can bear much more than you think.

vazilizaitsev89
2008-11-02, 03:55
didnt virtually all communes fail?

nshanin
2008-11-02, 07:04
didnt virtually all communes fail?

define commune

gforce
2008-11-02, 20:37
didnt virtually all communes fail?

That's why the people you are with are critical to the success of the project. From what i have read it seems alot of people have a very romantic vision of 'the good life' and once they realised this after they have moved in, they pack up and leave.