Sustainable building and alternative technologies are passions of mine. I finished the first major building project in the summer of 2003: I built myself a home in the high desert of northern New Mexico. I used a combination of straw bales and adobe bricks, local vigas, and pre-used or scrap building materials.
Now, in 2009, I have my own adobe home, a straw bale studio and my converted school bus to call home, in the Ortiz Mountains. Once again I focus on creating a sustainable low impact home for me and my four-legged friends, Harold the border collie, and Blue, Tigger and Squeak the Russian Blue kittens.
The water I use comes from rain catchment. With a 400 square foot roof I am able to catch about 267 gallons of water for every inch of rainfall. Using a single 1600 gallon cistern I store enough water for one person for over six months of conscious use.
Because we have over 300 days of sunshine, I am able to get all my energy needs met from a small solar electrical system. I am using 2 panels with 75 watts of power. With an inverter I can use lights, television, and my computer fairly freely. I just made a solar oven, and today come home from work to a curry soup that tastes great! Followed by brownies and a cup of tea, I’m so amazed at what’s possible.
My intention is to help others realize their many choices. There are so many options out there that I never had any inkling of when I was growing up.
If I can build a house, brick by brick, then why can't you?
I can help teach the process as well as some of the actual hands-on skills needed. I'd love to visit different land projects and the individuals interested in sustainable, do-it-yourself building and help in whatever way I can.
Well it never really ends, building your own home is an ongoing project of love and creativity, changing as you change, growing as you grow. ENJOY!
