Self-Sufficient Brick Home in China Relies on Pigs for Energy

Architect <a href="http://www.rufwork.org/" target="_blank">John Lin</a> designed this courtyard residence in rural China to run on pig poop! Located in the north-eastern region of the country in <a href="http://www.rufwork.org/index.php?/project/07-shanxi-village-house/" target="_blank">Shijia Village</a>, the 'House For All Seasons' residence has become a model to encourage village residents to be less dependent on the outside world. The Hong Kong-based architect incorporated a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/biogas/" target="_blank">biogas</a> boiler that runs on waste collected in a pigpen, creating a self-reliant and innovative collection of homes that generate their own energy.

Lin's design follows a number of sustainable principles.

During the rain season water collects on the roof.

It filters down to be stored in a large container for the rest of the year.

Space is allocated on wide staircases for crops to be planted, and like other traditional residences the structure is insulated with mud walls around a concrete frame.

This helps to reduce energy use while ensuring the building is as earthquake-resistant as possible.

The building's exterior is a lattice of bricks which provides shade and natural ventilation to the interior area.