Natural
Building and Energy Systems
Our commitment to
using local and sustainably produced
products as well as minimizing our
impact on the environment extends to
the off-grid Tiny House Village we
are creating. We have developed a
Building Code specific to the vision
of Living Roots.
We are very excited
about the Tiny House Village not
only because it gives us space for
staff, but also because
it gives us practice and experience
in a variety of building techniques.
Type of off-grid housing that meet
our guidelines include (but most
definitely aren’t limited to)
- Cob
- Strawbale
- Rammed Earth
- Bermed
- Earth Bag
- Earthship Inspired
- Timberframe
- Cordwood
- Light Straw-Clay
- Paper-crete
Energy independence
is another key part of the project
vision. While the bunkhouse and
workshop are still currently
grid-tied, our future projects will
be off-grid. Wood is abundantly
available in Southern Indiana and
should remain so as long as it is
sustainably harvested. It in
combination with energy efficient
designs of our homes (enhancing
solar gain, proper insulation and
energy efficient wood stoves) will
serve as the predominant heat
source. Solar and geothermal units
will be the most likely alternative
energy systems used.
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