Cognition

After a good 20 months in my small adobe cottage at Lynedoch EcoVillage and having witnessed all manner of architecturally uninspired monoliths spring up around me as a result of a poorly planned housing development at the village, I am exploring options for an ecologically built monolith of my own. I have used a 3D modelling programme called Sketchup to present my initial ideas.

Design challenges include a very small plot size of 17m X 8m which limits potential for optimal solar orientation. The idea is to optimise space by building on one boundary, presenting a face for semi-attachment by a future neighbour.

Current cottage (for photos of its construction, see here):

Adobe cottage as built

Proposed extensions:

Proposed extensions from above showing partial double volume

Western aspect - affording privacy from the rest of the village looking towards vineyards. Possible clash of architectural styles as an issue

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Northern aspect showing plenty of space for solar panels and good potential for rainwater harvesting. Building on north western boundary to optimise space and provide a face for the semi-attachment by a future neighbour (hence no windows).

I am currently exploring the Ecobeam and sandbag method of construction.