There are a few key things to focus on when building or retrofitting to increase the yield from your home while reducing waste and pollution.
Reduce energy needs. This can be done by using the many available methods of passively heating and cooling structures, as well as passive lighting, low energy devices, and other energy efficiencies. Some of these improvements can be inexpensive or free.
Use renewable energy. Renewable energy will be much more affordable once you reduce your energy needs as much as possible.
Use renewable materials when building or retrofitting. This is an opportunity to avoid pollution in the form of embodied energy, up front. Also, be sure to work out an ecological way to dispose of leftover construction materials and waste. Habitat for Humanity and other organizations can help with that.
Retrofit rather than build, if it makes sense. Even better than building a new “green” structure is to retrofit existing structures. As inefficiently designed as existing homes may be from a systems design viewpoint, we can get a better return on embodied energy by retrofitting existing homes rather than building anew. Even with homes built of earth, there is still electrical wiring, plumbing, etc. We don’t have a housing shortage in many countries, we have housing inefficiency. There are more empty houses in the US than there are homeless people, for instance. Using permaculture principles, win-win solutions can be found.
If building a new structure, consider natural building rather than importing materials. Is it possible to build your structure, or any part of it, from materials your own land provides that are renewable? This could include clay, sand, and fiber (cob), straw bale, cordwood, adobe, thatch, etc. Remember, homes built with these materials often outlast modern homes, sometimes by hundreds of years with minimal upkeep.
Caring for people
Integrate with nature. People are drawn to houses that have a lot of natural light, aesthetic outdoor areas, and other elements that bring nature into living spaces. By study, people are less productive and creative in offices that are enclosed and use artificial light, and more productive with a lot of windows and natural lighting. Even more importantly, people are happier with a connection to nature. So design or retrofit your home to integrate, not segregate nature into living spaces. Regardless of the architecture of your home, you can do this with some imagination!
Use non-toxic material. The amount of toxic material and chemicals used in our homes is unbelievable. Almost anything that comes into the home may have toxins in it, some of which offgas into the air, unless it is specifically designed to be toxin free. By making an effort to bring non-toxic materials into your home whenever possible, you contribute to your own health and the health of the planet.
Use radiant heat where possible. When you heat your body instead of the air, it is healthier for you and often uses much less electricity. Radiant heat tends to be healthier, and most people think it feels better. One example of radiant heat that is common in naturally built permaculture homes is a heated bench. Very pleasant and cozy to curl up on during cold winter nights! Radiant heat flooring is becoming more popular as well.
Design with zones in mind. If you’re building or redesigning your home, take the time to think through how you can capture the energy of shade, views, efficient access, outdoor/indoor interaction and other elements that increase quality of life.
Personalize the design. Ensure the design fits your lifestyle, as well as the land it is on. As an example, if you like working outdoors, be sure to create an outdoor space that is comfortable to work in and has what you need in it.
Care of the Future or Fair Share
Build it to last. Many cultures built their homes to last not just a few decades but many generations. Cob houses in England built hundreds of years ago are still in good condition, and make excellent, comfortable (and expensive) homes.
Cob house in Devon, England. Built in the 1500s.
There are homes built thousands of years ago that are still standing and still used.
Only in a culture focused on planned obsolescence do we have bathroom fixtures that fall apart in your hands after a few years, or eaves that rot after a few years because of shoddy construction.
Think through all the ways energy can be captured and maximally utilized. This includes all petals of the permaculture flower, for the benefit of both the planet and people. How many people could be educated on how to retrofit their home by seeing your example? How much money are you saving every month because of smart design for energy use and water capture? Can you co-house and thus use the space more effectively (great to have help in the garden when you can’t get to it, for instance. When done right, co-housing has numerous advantages). How can your home be used to support your plants, or a healthy community? How is your quality of life improved by capturing aesthetics?
Hands On Activity
Name some ways you would like your built environment to reflect the three permaculture ethics.