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Charming Post-Carbon Homestead is Built From Recycled Tires and Shipping Pallets
Posted By
Tafline Laylin
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Architecture,Clean Energy,Eco Textiles,Environment,Renewable Energy,Solar |
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The site and design optimize daylighting and solar gain during the cold winter months while the windows were placed strategically to capture the prevailing breeze and allow hot air to escape during summer. SEED, a non-profit organization that provides permaculture education throughout South Africa, planted deciduous trees on the north side to provide shading in the summer months. But because deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter, solar gain is maximized when temperatures drop.
Built from recycled tires that are filled with sand and clay and packed with tin cans and a lime-cement plaster, the post-carbon homestead is clad in recycled shipping pallets; its thick walls provide excellent thermal massing that makes this pilot project comfortable year round. The photovoltaic panel provides a decent amount of energy and hot water, which could be increased if necessary, and rainwater capture tanks, a compost toilet and a natural grey water recycling system ensures that water is conserved as well.
Most notably, this has all been done with a limited $10,000 budget, which drowns out any argument that sustainable housing is not as affordable as new construction. Leigh Brown, SEED’s Director, explained that the price would decrease if the government ordered a succession of these self-sufficient homes. Just one part of SEED’s Urban Abundance Center, which is currently comprised of a mushroom-growing business, organic garden and an outdoor classroom, and located in a seriously oppressed neighborhood outside of the city, the post-carbon homestead is a beacon of shining light that gives us a whole boatload of hope for South Africa’s future.
+ SEED
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When SEED invited us to visit their recently-unveiled post-carbon homestead in Cape Town, we jumped at the opportunity. Built using the same blueprints and budget as an RDP house, which is the government housing standard for underprivileged South Africans, this remarkable solar-powered home made of tires, clay and recycled timber pallets demonstrates that we can survive in a world without fossil fuels. Built on the Rocklands Primary School grounds and tested by the Head Principal known fondly as…
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SEED built this solar-powered on the Rocklands Primary School grounds outside of Cape Town
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It was built out of tires filled with sand and clay and clad with recycled shipping pallets
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Strategic orientation maximizes solar gain in winter and natural light
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Almost all the materials used inside and out are recycled
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The home as a small loft with shelves around the perimeter that are reached by a moveable ladder
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A small desk and table placed by the recessed window allows underprivileged children to work by daylight
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The home was built using the government’s RDP blueprints – social housing – as well as the same budget!
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The back of the house is not as well lit, but it is cool in the hot summer months
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This is the bedroom: well lit with a gentle ambience. This entire upper level was constructed using recycled shipping pallets
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This recycled lamp uses energy-efficient light bulbs
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This is the bedroom window
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The recessed window doubles as a bench. Note President Obama’s face on the recycled covers.
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There’s a decent amount of storage, although this home definitely promotes a smaller footprint
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These chairs are made from recycled tires and they are incredibly comfortable
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The rocket stove uses wood grown on-site
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On hot days, food can be cooked on the solar cooker. While we were there, the water was super hot!
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There are rainwater capture tanks on either side of the house
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Although the furnishings may seem rudimentary (they are), it is extraordinary what SEED has accomplished with such a small budget!
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Mr. P, the headmaster, lived in the homestead for a week and said it has definitely opened his eyes to what it would be like to live in a world totally sans oil!
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