THE STORY SO FAR !
char...@homecall.co.uk
Charley: one of the things that attracted me to Transition is how it
brings things/people together – in my case this has helped me to
imagine and work towards a holistic vision of living and overhaul of my
life. It also became clear to both of us that we were limited in how
sustainably we could live because of the design, construction and
location of our houses. Eco retrofitting a period house is costly and
doesn’t allow solutions at the level of sharing facilities.
Nat: I agree, and think an eco new build is the best way to achieve
proper sustainability aims. I dug up our back garden lawn when I was a
teenager and started growing vegetables after being inspired by my
uncle. Ever since I’ve always had a fascination with seeds magically
turning into food! Later I kept chickens and fed them with all the
kitchen waste marvelling at the bright yellow tasty yolks. I love the
feel of being in the sun or at least proper day light and have wanted a
south facing garden and living rooms for as long as I can remember.
I’ve been aware of solar passive house heating, and the ‘hippy dream’
since the 1970’s when a copy of the Whole Earth Catalogue passed
through my hands. The Dream Life Project may be just be able to realise
some of those ideas.
Charley: I see the DLG as involving 3 levels : researching / designing
a framework for the ideal transitioned ‘lifestyle’, a feasibility study
on issues specific to the group eg financing, legal structure, costs
etc and also an action plan for possible implementation(s)
Nat: My practical side tells me that getting hold of land is the single
hardest part of realising this dream. The design and build criteria I
see as the easy fun bit and will fall out of what’s best for that bit
of land. The other components of a complex project like this will all
follow, so long as we break each part down into manageable bits, make
flexible enough plans and realise that things always take much much
longer than you could every imagine!
Charley: we have already had a first meeting with an eco architect to
outline design implications for such a project, I have been researching
existing sustainable housing schemes and have visited Bedzed in Sutton.
I have a contact in Findhorn who has built over 20 ecohomes there and I
will be going to the Ecobuild Show at Earls Court in feb !
Next Steps : hope to meet up with everyone interested and get a fuller
idea of our ‘vision’ for the project and pooling what we know then
start researching the logistics of implementation!