ecoPark in Malibu Gets Approval to Build Eco Education Center

An ambitious project in Malibu, CA has recently received approval to build an incredible park that will also serve as an <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/09/13/vandusen-botanical-centre-to-be-canadas-first-living-building/" target="_blank">eco think-tank and a learning and demonstration center</a>. This green dream was thought up by well-known <a href="http://superlarge.com/" target="_blank">photographer and inventor Douglas Busch</a>, who envisions the development as a place to educate and stimulate the masses. To be located on Busch's 20 acre property above Malibu, the ecoPark has been designed to be totally <a href="../zero-energy" target="_blank">net zero</a>, sustainable, organic and cradle-to-cradle.

Located above Malibu, Douglas Busch's 20 acre parcel is slated to be turned into a public eco themed park and learning center. Busch wants to use his land to demonstrate sustainable building and technologies to the masses.

Some of the ecoPark has already been constructed, including the roads, Busch's home, studio and the pool. Eventually the park will also include a learning center, activity room, solar kitchen, a gym, and a demonstration eco house.

All of the buildings will be constructed using eco-friendly materials and utilize Cradle to Cradle design as well as Passive House energy efficiency standards.

The pool is already heated using solar thermal collector tubes and the gym is planned to harvest energy from the exercise machines as well as the aerobic bouncing floor.

Saltwater ponds will be used to grow algae for biofuel as well as for aquaculture to grow food.

Busch's home, pool and studio have already been constructed and sit on the property as a demo.

Near the pool a solar kitchen will be installed that will utilize a solar oven to demonstrate energy efficient and healthy ways of cooking.

Douglas Busch joined up with other green minded professionals to start ecoTech Design, which is an architectural design and building firm responsible for all the plans of the ecoPark.

The firm received permission to go ahead with construction of the ecoPark at the end of August and they are currently seeking funding to advance the dream project.

All of the buildings will feature solar power, solar hot water, green roofs, living walls, eco-friendly materials, and recycling and composting.

The project will also feature a demonstration eco home called the safeHAUS, which will be built from reused shipping containers.

Surrounding the park is 20 acres of native land that backs up to forest land, which will be available to visitors to hike in.

Visitors will arrive at the education center, park their cars and then ride in the park on electric vehicles charged on site. Speed bumps along the roads will generate power as the vehicles drive over them.