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Low Impact Woodland Home

31 comments


I came across this interesting blog about a couple with two very young children who undertook to build a low impact woodland home in Wales and found it fascinating. Those who have read my blogs before might remember I mentioned turf roofs and this building sort of follows on from that, but is here in Wales.

I can’t include any photos here on my own blog but I have provided a link to the couple’s website. I know it wouldn’t be easy to locate a piece of land to construct a similar home but it’s all credit to this young family that they have found the guts to do it (and a farmer with land perfect for the job).

It seems they are now going to construct a second home, bigger than this one.

So GoY friends…..here is the link if you have the time and the inclination to have a peek.

http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm

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Comments

 

Looks like a " Hansel & Gretel " house W. Didn't have time to look at links , will do so later.

8 Nov, 2010

 

It reminded me of Bilbo Bagins's house - I liked it very much.
I wonder where in Wales it is ? Not near here I don't think ....

( Why did you say 'here in Wales' when you live in England ? )

8 Nov, 2010

 

i agree hywel ~ i couldnt help thinking of lord of the rings. some of it would be lovely but i think it looks dark?

8 Nov, 2010

 

Hywel....It was a bit of an accident that I said 'here in Wales'....and it was actually you I was thinking about... I had originally typed 'here in the UK' and then thought maybe Hywel (& any other Welsh folk) might not appreciate the UK bit...so changed it. Can I blame it on my poorly headache? lol

Actually I think it's wishful thinking on my part...I'd choose Wales over Merseyside any day as a place to call home :)

8 Nov, 2010

 

That's just what I thought too.....Most certainly a Hobbit House!! Amazing. :o)

9 Nov, 2010

 

oh, I see :o)
I wish they said where in wales it was though, but maybe it's kept secret.
I wouldn't mind a house like that myself lol :o)

9 Nov, 2010

 

Incredible what can be done!

9 Nov, 2010

 

Here's a second link and although it doesn't give a location there are other ideas for sustainable low-cost houses....and it's such an interesting area to explore.....so if you're inclined, take a peek on this link...

http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/12/01/hand-build-an-earth-sheltered-house-for-5000/

9 Nov, 2010

 

Wow! That's a beautiful hobbit house isn't it! I love it! What an amazing thing to achieve. I wonder how 'carsenogenic' my house is? quite a thought isn't it. I really admire people who live by their values like this, they are inspiring!

9 Nov, 2010

 

Yes certainly looks like a Hobbit home from the outside, maybe ok for a holiday but wouldn`t fancy living like that, although I like nature,I am honest enough to admit I need my brick walls to separate and protect me from the elements.... Oh to be young and adventurous, very interesting blog Whiston........

9 Nov, 2010

 

wouldnt mind a tree house in my garden ~ on a somewhat smaller scale!

9 Nov, 2010

 

Yes, Lincs...I like my creature comforts but I do think I'd do it if I were younger and had the opportunity. Now, Sticki, a smaller version in a garden would be fantastic :) For anyone on GoY who has a slope/hill at the rear of the property and is stuck for ideas....well, Bob's your uncle! lol

9 Nov, 2010

 

i have that slope although there wouldnt be any garden left! ~ still tempting tho! its also a bit like one of those tellytubbies houses isnt it?

9 Nov, 2010

 

I bet if the word got out on GoY there'd be at least one member who'd give it a try! Who should we send the link to? Yes, the tellytubbies had interesting little houses too!

9 Nov, 2010

 

ive just got a [another] new cookery book ~ that should keep me busy for a while so cant build a tree house today!!!

9 Nov, 2010

 

i have threatened to have a summer house when OH retires tho! i need my space ~ so maybe a tree house instead!!!

9 Nov, 2010

 

It's a bit windy today, Sticki...lol Better to browse your new cookery book :)

A tree house would be a fun idea....I'd never get up the ladder though...hope you find a way of escape into some kind of structure in your garden. If I had the room, I'd be having a summer house too.

9 Nov, 2010

 

i havent really got the room ~ have to move!!!! cookery book is really good ~ lots of flowers decorating the food ~ i assume they are edible ~ very pretty but not sure which flowers you can eat and which you cant
they are showing: violas, petals of nasturtium [i know they are edible], yellow petals ~ possibly marigolds?? primrose, crocus, ~ looks really lovely

9 Nov, 2010

 

I already have 3 sheds and 2 greenhouses in my garden, don`t think it would go down very well if I suggest a tree house as well, plus I `m still waiting for a new fence at the front, think its on the list for when hubby retires.

David likes a different theme each year, his children are too old for teletubbies but he might be open to a Hobbit house, thinking about it,. his Ladyships garden looks big enough to hide one away somewhere.....

9 Nov, 2010

 

That would certainly seem something David could tackle. It doesn't seem there is much he can't do gardenwise and his imagination is wonderful. I'll send him a link...lol Just in case he needs a project idea :)

9 Nov, 2010

 

i think it would look excellent in her ladyships garden or maybe that busy builder 'treesandthings' would like to have a go?
then maybe we could all enjoy the pictures?

9 Nov, 2010

 

LOL....

9 Nov, 2010

 

Definately a home for hobbits! It looks great and I bet it will be very warm and well insulated.

9 Nov, 2010

 

Many Thanks for posting this - that house is amazing! :-)

9 Nov, 2010

 

So, David....you going to have a go? (I did send you a PM this afternoon with both the links for this; did you get the message?)

9 Nov, 2010

 

Definately full of admiration but do think its something for the young to experiment with.
I saw something like this on Grand designs, I think his name was Ben - he cut all his timber in the round, no straight edges - the finished result was quite beautiful.

9 Nov, 2010

 

Yes, I remember watching the Grand Designs show....he really did work hard at the construction of the home. Like you say, Stroller, best left to the younger ones!

9 Nov, 2010

 

OMG!!! Now, I have fully read all comments above, LOL!!! Sorry, Wl, but your Pm was not there a few hours ago (and after midnight now), but is now. I have, actually, saved that site to my faves, as I do think the house is beautiful. If I won a lottery, I'd have this before a Beverley Hills mansion any day!!!!! I bet that this is much warmer than my own home, too. Now, if I only had a piece of land, time, and a spare few £1000s, I'd seriously think about something like this (really). Also, imagine the wonderful, native, wildlife-friendly garden area you could create to compliment the house. Isn't the interior fantastic? There is, actually, an ecology centre only 10 miles from my home, featuring a fully-functional "Earth House". Haven't visited for years, since it was initiated, but will do now, soon.

The kids never were fans of those b***** Teletubbies when they were younger (Thank Goodness!) :-D)

10 Nov, 2010

 

Glad you caught up with all this, David. It was thought it would be something you'd be up for given the opportunity. We'll be watching to see if you have a lottery win! lol

10 Nov, 2010

 

The prettiest eco house I have seen was in Grand Designs where a young fella made charcoal in his own woodlands . He lived very basically. His mates helped him build a lovely wooden house out of his own wood. He met a young lady and they finished the house and had a baby. My fingers are tightly crossed that they lived happily ever after. I could watch that build over and over.So romantic and practical.

11 Nov, 2010

 

oh i remember that one dorjac, but i think the one i liked best was one that was built into the hill, used local stone and had a huge window ~ a bit like the bridge on a ship ~ that looked onto a wonderful view ~ i think it was west scotland?

11 Nov, 2010

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