Homestead Green Building: Some Fun Extras

So here we are, and we are coming down to the last couple of posts in this series that I started all the way back in April of last year.  We've talked about temporary housing options, alternative energy options, different types of green homes, and a few of the details that go along with all of that.  This week, I want to talk about some fun extras that you might have thought about, but maybe just didn't know if it's possible.  Now, if you are wanting to be strictly simple, basic, off-the-grid, this may not apply to you and what you are wanting.  But I want to include this post because I think a lot of times, we tend to think that being off grid means primitive and basic.  And I think that idea turns a lot of people off.  There are some things that, while I desperately want a small to non-existent carbon footprint, and I want to live in harmony with nature as much as I possibly can, there are some things that come with typical modern life that I just simply don't want to give up.  And therein lies this post.  See, there are ways of having some "luxuries" and still be green and happy and deeply connected to the earth.  It doesn't have to be all or nothing.  This is by no means an exhaustive list. In fact, there are really only a couple of things I'm going to talk about.  But maybe it can be a good starting point to get your mind going in new directions, and finding ways to incorporate some things that don't seem like they would work with homesteading, but actually will.

First and foremost in my mind is a swimming pool.  I'm not a big fan of exercise, but I LOVE to swim!  My son is the same way.  Having lived in Florida, we've gotten used to having a pool that we can go out and use for a good majority of the year.  It just doesn't get cold enough for long enough down here to really have much of a chance to miss it.  Now, we are wanting to relocate and build our homestead in the heart of the Colorado Rockies.  We will be high enough up in elevation that the warmest temperatures in the area in the middle of summer average right around 80 degrees.  But the summer doesn't last long, and most of the year might be a little cool for an average pool.  So what is an avid swimmer to do?  Our plan involves building an indoor, heated, natural pool.  It can be done, and it can be done inexpensively and naturally.  How?  Well, our home is going to be based around the concept of an earthship.  There will be plenty of space in the front of the home where sunlight will naturally and abundantly flow in.  There are also going to be a lot of plants growing in the part of the house.  Here's where you can get creative and start integrating several different things we've already talked about.  Here's what I'm hoping to do.  So start by digging the pool.  Build the pool walls with earthbags, and cover with cob and tadelakt for a waterproof seal.  Around the edges of the pool, there will be plants- some water plants, and some not.  The water plants, built into an outer area around the pool walls, will provide a natural filtration system for the pool.  The beauty of this, is that those same plants that clean the pool water can also be doubly used for energy generating purposes like we looked at here.  The natural movement of the water through the system can also be harnessed for additional hydro energy.  The heating of the water can be accomplished in two ways.  First off, a series of radiant heating can be built into place beneath the pool floor, thus heating the water from below.  At the same time, because the pool will be in what is essentially a greenhouse, the radiant heat coming in from the sun will additionally warm the water from above.  I'm even trying to figure out if an aquaponics system can be incorporated, as well, with the fish having their own separate swimming area.  Not too shabby, I don't think.  Now, as I've not come across anyone else having done anything quite like this, I don't know for certain how well it will work.  But I'm hoping for the best, and always on the lookout for more information that can be integrated.  But this is what I mean when I talk about expanding your thinking and finding a way to make things work.  In the end, the details may be worked out differently.  But the overall objective is the same.

There are also other inexpensive ways to building yourself a pool.  If you don't mind going the winter without, or are building in a climate where an outdoor pool is a possibility, the options are abundant.  Build a frame from straw bales, pallets/reclaimed wood, or anything else your heart desires.  Line it with cob/tadelakt, tile, or plastic sheeting or concrete if you don't mind a little "not-so-green" building ideas.  And a natural pool where plants do the filtration is something that can be accomplished just about anywhere.

Now how about a great outdoor living area?  You know, with a fully functioning kitchen.  The kind where you can spend those wonderful summer days outdoors relaxing.  It really is a simple enough idea, and I can't really imagine anyone not wanting this kind of a space in their home.  Instead of a gas or charcoal grill, build a really awesome cob oven.  Let me tell you, if you've never had fresh bread or even pizza from a cob oven, you are missing something truly special.  You can build the whole area in such a way that you could cook an entire meal outside.  Maybe a solar oven, a rotisserie pit, or even a personal smoke house.  You could even include one of those ground fridges that I mentioned in this post to keep stuff cool that should be kept cool.  All these options are fun, easy, natural, and don't require any electricity.  You could even build yourself an incredible outdoor shower if you want.

Ok, so maybe on the not so much fun scale, but more of the "may become necessary" scale, what about a hidden area in your home?  Anything from hidden storage for guns and such, to a storm shelter or even an all out panic room.  Finding ways of hiding this area can get back to the fun side of things, but the area itself might actually be necessary.  And again, relatively simple to do.  As you are the designer and builder of your own homestead, you can add whatever you want, and make these areas as small and purposeful, or even as big and extravagant as you want.  And only those people who help you build (and whoever you feel the urge to tell) will know.

Something else that I know I have to consider is connection to the internet.  For both myself and my son, it's an important part of our lives.  My business is all done online, and my son does virtual schooling.  We simply cannot, at least for a while, go without the internet.  But there are ways to do this, even if you live out in the middle of the mountains, or anywhere else away from civilization where a "normal" connection may not be reliable.  Check out here and here for ideas on that.

Like I said before, I know that this isn't anywhere near an extensive or exhaustive list.  But I want you to start thinking a bit out there.  I truly believe that anything you want can be accomplished, even if no one has ever done anything like it before.  Think of the things you want for fun, things that are important to you, things that you just simply don't want to give up.  Find a way to make them happen.  Find a way to do it where it still fits into your ideal of a green, off-grid lifestyle, in whatever way that means to you.  There really are no limits to what you can do.

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http://www.offgridquest.com/homes-dwellings/building-methods/how-to-build-a-smoke

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