An invitation

[Whitehaze]

Lastnight I began creating 3d practical shelters and building, that when completed I will be able to make a virtual walkthrough movie. I would like to hear some of your ideas on how you visualize a village of sorts. Describe how you see your dwellings, common areas, facilities and whatever else your imagination can come up with.

Also when completed I will need someone with video editing skills to clean it up for presentation, maybe add dialogue and such. (I can do that myself, but I would like to share the work)

So let the ideas fly like kites! bring it

This is also a great way to step outside of the chaos and let creativity cleanse the mind

[king anthony]

I hope there is a bed, toilet and shower... a place for storing food and preparing it... oh, and a defense and offensive... uh, a garden? :) Nice to see the lighter side of things.

[norman]

Animals on the ground floor and people above, keeping warm in winter.

[Whitehaze]

So far some really great ideas are being sent, thank you to all. keep em coming.

[witchy1]

Great idea Whitehaze - Just quickly off the top of my head

I would love an old english country village (think Ann Hathaways cottage) However that may be unlikely to materialize.

Personal space and privacy is important as is autonomy. A place to have your own garden and animals (thinking an hectare or 2) with lazy paths meandering around the village. Not tar sealed roading
Trees and plants - plenty of these
Green housing
Abundant free energy
A communal healing centre including all natural therapies (for animals and humans)
A communal learning centre
An alchemy and sciences centre
Music creating facilites
Sporting facilities of any sort - like a village oval with swimming pool

OUT:
Noisy cars or buses that run on fossil fuels and pollute the air
Standard Television
Telephone poles and towers of any sort
Chemicals
Supermarkets
Mainstream religion housing (churches)
Weapons

(A pub would be great)

W


Animals on the ground floor and people above Dude, I dont wanna sleep with the chooks and cows produce a whole lot of methane - LOL

[Shezbeth]

I envision houses primarily built mildly underground, where plants can grow on the 'roof'. Perhaps built into a hill like a Hobbit house. This would offer excellent thermal and electromagnetic insulation. Just a thought ^_^

Cob bricks too

[Whitehaze]

Great idea Whitehaze - Just quickly off the top of my head

I would love an old english country village (think Ann Hathaways cottage) However that may be unlikely to materialize.

Personal space and privacy is important as is autonomy. A place to have your own garden and animals (thinking an hectare or 2) with lazy paths meandering around the village. Not tar sealed roading
Trees and plants - plenty of these
Green housing
Abundant free energy
A communal healing centre including all natural therapies (for animals and humans)
A communal learning centre
An alchemy and sciences centre
Music creating facilites
Sporting facilities of any sort - like a village oval with swimming pool

OUT:
Noisy cars or buses that run on fossil fuels and pollute the air
Standard Television
Telephone poles and towers of any sort
Chemicals
Supermarkets
Mainstream religion housing (churches)
Weapons

(A pub would be great)

W


Animals on the ground floor and people above Dude, I dont wanna sleep with the chooks and cows produce a whole lot of methane - LOL

Yes indeed lets keep the cows downwind for sure! All very good suggestions. I am going to use all ideas posted here by everyone in this design concept. So when it is complete, each should see a portion of their vision in the all of it.

The thought just came to me, what if there was a power interuption for whatever reason, very well within the realm if possibilities. So in designing this I am going to go both ways with it. A true self sufficent concept.

¤=[Post Update]=¤


I envision houses primarily built mildly underground, where plants can grow on the 'roof'. Perhaps built into a hill like a Hobbit house. This would offer excellent thermal and electromagnetic insulation. Just a thought ^_^

Cob bricks too

This also a fantastic idea, partially covered in earth not only provides insulation, it also proveds protection. I love the idea of plants and such growing on top. Perhaps the herbs and roots for things like cooking or natural medicines? I notice many have ideas concerning partially underground.....so we are going to go with that as well.

thank you!

[NancyV]

Great idea Whitehaze - Just quickly off the top of my head

I would love an old english country village (think Ann Hathaways cottage) However that may be unlikely to materialize.

Personal space and privacy is important as is autonomy. A place to have your own garden and animals (thinking an hectare or 2) with lazy paths meandering around the village. Not tar sealed roading
Trees and plants - plenty of these
Green housing
Abundant free energy
A communal healing centre including all natural therapies (for animals and humans)
A communal learning centre
An alchemy and sciences centre
Music creating facilites
Sporting facilities of any sort - like a village oval with swimming pool

OUT:
Noisy cars or buses that run on fossil fuels and pollute the air
Standard Television
Telephone poles and towers of any sort
Chemicals
Supermarkets
Mainstream religion housing (churches)
Weapons

(A pub would be great)

W

Animals on the ground floor and people above Dude, I dont wanna sleep with the chooks and cows produce a whole lot of methane - LOL
If you don't want weapons does that also mean no knives, baseball bats, hammers, bows and arrow, guitar strings (garrotes), etc? There is one main weapon and that is a human. All the other things are just tools that we humans use for either hunting, defense or aggressive purposes. Guns do not kill, people kill. I would never live somewhere where guns were illegal because I do so love guns. Such a wonderful tool for making a nice small hole at a distance.

Nancy

[daddy fishwick]

An old English country pub would be nice!

[Lifesong]

I just watched this simulation this morning from the survival/shelter threads, very interesting and worth a couple of minutes to look at:

http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?12940-Torsion-Field-Pyramid-Simulation

So, taking that into consideration, I'd like some other shape than boxes for the dwellings - if that's possible.

Great idea, btw!

[jorr lundstrom]

Great idea Whitehaze - Just quickly off the top of my head

I would love an old english country village (think Ann Hathaways cottage) However that may be unlikely to materialize.

Personal space and privacy is important as is autonomy. A place to have your own garden and animals (thinking an hectare or 2) with lazy paths meandering around the village. Not tar sealed roading
Trees and plants - plenty of these
Green housing
Abundant free energy
A communal healing centre including all natural therapies (for animals and humans)
A communal learning centre
An alchemy and sciences centre
Music creating facilites
Sporting facilities of any sort - like a village oval with swimming pool

OUT:
Noisy cars or buses that run on fossil fuels and pollute the air
Standard Television
Telephone poles and towers of any sort
Chemicals
Supermarkets
Mainstream religion housing (churches)
Weapons

(A pub would be great)

W

Animals on the ground floor and people above Dude, I dont wanna sleep with the chooks and cows produce a whole lot of methane - LOL
If you don't want weapons does that also mean no knives, baseball bats, hammers, bows and arrow, guitar strings (garrotes), etc? There is one main weapon and that is a human. All the other things are just tools that we humans use for either hunting, defense or aggressive purposes. Guns do not kill, people kill. I would never live somewhere where guns were illegal because I do so love guns. Such a wonderful tool for making a nice small hole at a distance.

Nancy

I love you Nancy.:hug:

[Jetsam]

A nice Hobbit Hole would be fun! :p

[NancyV]

I love you Nancy.:hug:
I love you too, Jorr! :hug:

[Whitehaze]

OUT:
Noisy cars or buses that run on fossil fuels and pollute the air
Standard Television
Telephone poles and towers of any sort
Chemicals
Supermarkets
Mainstream religion housing (churches)
Weapons

(A pub would be great)

W





Yes I definately am designing with nature in mind. I have certainly had enough of Walmart, if you know what I mean. And second the vote on a pub, after a long day at work with whatever my job is, I definately wouldnt mind a cold one!

Guns are useful tools for hunting. Personally, I think they should be there, better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. ( I dont envision this as a militia situation and wouldnt want it to be)

[Alecs]

Hi Whitehaze,

Thanks for expressing your idea as it inspires me to see this kind of creativity. Plus it seems natural to ask questions before designing.
Let me offer a few factors for consideration:

site size and geography
both the type of, and proximity to, natural resources (taking into consideration sustainability of them)
climate
type of energy source(s)
intended size of community, present and future
level of community independence
community values

Perhaps a few different models?

Cheers.

[Whitehaze]

Hi Whitehaze,

Thanks for expressing your idea as it inspires me to see this kind of creativity. Plus it seems natural to ask questions before designing.
Let me offer a few factors for consideration:

site size and geography
both the type of, and proximity to, natural resources (taking into consideration sustainability of them)
climate
type of energy source(s)
intended size of community, present and future
level of community independence
community values

Perhaps a few different models?

Cheers. Yes indeed very good points.

As for location, I vision somewhere near a mountain range, close to a water source possible lake or river.
Climate, I think a mix is good and healthy. A constant rotation of renewel is attractive to me, maybe others?
Energy source, there are many concepts for this. and can be put on the table. Again I am designing this in the event of what if there were none, or interupted for whatever reason
Intended size very good consideration, perhaps leaving room for expansion is a good idea?
Community independence, I think it should be self fully reliant and self sufficient..just my thoughts
Values.....self respect, respect for others, serve for the common goal of the community, be of good heart and spirit.....people know the difference between right and wrong so be strong enough to make the right choices.

And yes I can do different models, and I will for sure. I am trying to stay away from boxes, havent we lived in nice neat little boxes long enough? and im not talking just our houses.....our lives have been boxed too. Get out of the box!

[LiveFree]

If it's going to be a village type setting you are working toward I think one large public building should be included. It can be used for public gatherings, meetings and work processes where a large portion of the village may have to work together (harvest time, emergency shelter, community picnics and such).

¤=[Post Update]=¤

If I remember correctly, you are in Florida, yes? Are you from there or a transplant? As someone who has lived in Northeast Ohio all her life I will tell you to prepare well for winter. lol

[Whitehaze]

If it's going to be a village type setting you are working toward I think one large public building should be included. It can be used for public gatherings, meetings and work processes where a large portion of the village may have to work together (harvest time, emergency shelter, community picnics and such).

¤=[Post Update]=¤

If I remember correctly, you are in Florida, yes? Are you from there or a transplant? As someone who has lived in Northeast Ohio all her life I will tell you to prepare well for winter. lol

I grew up in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. I am very familiar with winters, and ice fishing. Nothing like sitting over a hole to catch dinner. And yes I have put in a central gathering area for people to gather and do whatever. The center of the hub so to speak.

edit

What is really incredible is I am using all these ideas, and I get to see it manifesting on my screen.

[LiveFree]

Cool, I can't wait to see what it looks like. :)

[Mr54]

Great idea Whitehaze - Just quickly off the top of my head

I would love an old english country village (think Ann Hathaways cottage) However that may be unlikely to materialize.

Personal space and privacy is important as is autonomy. A place to have your own garden and animals (thinking an hectare or 2) with lazy paths meandering around the village. Not tar sealed roading
Trees and plants - plenty of these
Green housing
Abundant free energy
A communal healing centre including all natural therapies (for animals and humans)
A communal learning centre
An alchemy and sciences centre
Music creating facilites
Sporting facilities of any sort - like a village oval with swimming pool

OUT:
Noisy cars or buses that run on fossil fuels and pollute the air
Standard Television
Telephone poles and towers of any sort
Chemicals
Supermarkets
Mainstream religion housing (churches)
Weapons

(A pub would be great)

W


Animals on the ground floor and people above Dude, I dont wanna sleep with the chooks and cows produce a whole lot of methane - LOL

Hey Witchy1 you had better explain to Whithaze what a village oval is or we'll end up with a Baseball Diamond!

[Peta Babkama Luruba Anaku]

A few things I would find useful to benefit us all and in no particular order,

An area with as much sun as possible. (Health, Ideal Growing Conditions, Renewable Energy Source and so on) Gardens are essential. A small garden can feed many all year round
An area high enough or close enough for moderate and sustainable winds (Renewable Energy Source)
An area with possible access to both fresh running water and salt water (Renewable Energy Source, Drinking Water, Garden Water, Hygiene, Small Fish Farms and so on) Fresh water to drink Salt Water to make Sea Salt. ie drying of meat for winter and so on. Tidal energy. Back in the day they used running water to power so many things. Everything we use must be used to its full potential. Water not just to drink....what else can we use it for? Food waste....is there such a thing? The inuit here in Canada seal hunt. Not a popular topic I understand but please know that they use every part of this animal. ( I don't believe they do it to profit, it is tradition and a means of nutrition and food)....(this is my belief.... I respect yours, everyones and I can accept I may be wrong) What we use must be used to its full potential is my point.
An area with a forrest (Renewable Energy source, tools, buildings and such and so on and so on, source of many valuable fungi and plants and barks, meat (yes I know Im bad) Each tree used two or 10 are planted to replace it.
Perhaps an area with the potential for Geo Thermal Renewable Energy


These are just minor obvious examples and there are many more. It may sound like a big wish list but I assure you these places do exist.

Is it out of the question to migrate between two areas? 1 area for 6 months the next area for the other 6 months based on needs. Or in case of natural or unnatural disaster.

Gardens. Cant say enough good things about Gardens. Easy to maintain and so fruitful (vegeataful doesn't work) .

Is it out of the question to bring some technology with us? Not all tech is bad. Is it 100% certain that we must start from scratch. Caveman? Reinvent the wheel? I don't know Jacque Fresco's agenda (I hope its a good one) but he has some interesting designs that are practical and sound. Don't take all his ideas or suggestions if you perhaps disagree. Tweak them so they apply to this project. If corrupt governments and people can plan 10, 25, 100 even a thousand years into the future why can't we? Sustainability is possible now and for the future.

Fundraising: Grants....there is a federal, municipal, local, un-local, quasi local and even neighbour local grant for anything and everything these days. Just a matter of finding the right ones. It may not provide for 100% financing but it can be substantial enough to make getting the rest easy.

Thats all I got for now. IF thats anything at all. Im sure theres more kicking around up there somewhere. I guess I lll just edit this post when I think or read or see anything that can help.

Books? We can learn from each other and we can also learn from some of the great literature out there. Technology can help in this. Massive amounts of great literature can be stored on very small devices these days. (Anything tech wise can be powered, charged by Mother Nature. Some of you may be able to use your minds to power anything and everything. Solar power? Art? I guess that is something we can make ourselves. Music....easily made with nothing. Drums are everywhere as are the voices to sing too them. Almost everything we need is around us. We just have to imagine it.

Whitehaze: To answer your question. My personal (though I do not have issues with it not being so personal) I don't think I need things such as bookshelves or chairs or tables per say. What would be handy is to maximize space. Everything is integrated into the area. Built in bookshelves, built in seating and tables. I remember seeing beds built into walls why not seating tables?. So much more space when everything is tucked away. If not tucked in walls then in the floor. Sunken bed and so on ie Beatles Help. The best part about having things sunken is they can be covered. Foldable Floor Boards. It does not have to be just built in or sunken perhaps a bit of both. The rooms can become of completely different uses when not used as sleeping or living quarters. A bedroom can be a class room. A living room can be a central meeting point and so on. I remember partitions between classrooms when I was younger. Think accordion. Separating rooms if need be. I hope that helps.

Ok thats it for now. I'm sure theres more. Ill add as I ponder.

[Whitehaze]

whats a baseball diamond? rofl......never took to sports for some reason.

So I have completed the central meeting area, it includes the cooking area, eating area, and plenty of space under cover for gathering. it can be an open area in warm weather, and closed for cooler weather or storms. ive made a central shower/toilet facility for ease of waste management. and I have a rough mock up of the personal living spaces. Which is a good point to discuss.

How would you see your personal living area?
what do you want in it?
each space should accomodate up to how many?

[Mr54]

Ah just had another thought. We could use read beds for filtering the waste from the toilets totally clean and sustainable.

[witchy1]

If you don't want weapons does that also mean no knives, baseball bats, hammers, bows and arrow, guitar strings (garrotes), etc? There is one main weapon and that is a human. All the other things are just tools that we humans use for either hunting, defense or aggressive purposes. Guns do not kill, people kill. I would never live somewhere where guns were illegal because I do so love guns. Such a wonderful tool for making a nice small hole at a distance.

Dear NancyV, my suggestion for not wanting weapons was simply my choice. I do not speak for everyone, but I do have personal choice - just as you do. As stated these were simply my first thoughts to assist getting the thread moving. By all means put any weapon that you like on your wish list. It is a free forum. If I respond or disagree with you on the matter here it will no doubt serve only to take this thread into a new area and off topic. If you feel the need for a gun control debate this then perhaps a new thread for this purpose may be of interest to you.
Witchy

[Whitehaze]

I am really interested in what you want for your personal living space, bunks only? room enough for family events? how much space do you need? The kitchen and hygenic facilities would be seperate.

We are so used to living in a 2500 sqare foot house, have you ever considered how much of that space you can live without?

[Peta Babkama Luruba Anaku]

I am really interested in what you want for your personal living space, bunks only? room enough for family events? how much space do you need? The kitchen and hygenic facilities would be seperate.

We are so used to living in a 2500 sqare foot house, have you ever considered how much of that space you can live without?

Whitehaze to answer your question with only suggestion. My personal (though I do not have issues with it not being so personal) I don't think I need things such as bookshelves or chairs or tables per say. What would be handy is to maximize space. Everything is integrated into the area. Built in bookshelves, built in seating and tables. I remember seeing beds built into walls why not seating tables?. So much more space when everything is tucked away. If not tucked in walls then in the floor. Sunken bed and so on ie Beatles Help. The best part about having things sunken is they can be covered. Foldable Floor Boards. It does not have to be just built in or sunken perhaps a bit of both. The rooms can become of completely different uses when not used as sleeping or living quarters. A bedroom can be a class room. A living room can be a central meeting point and so on. I remember partitions between classrooms when I was younger. Think accordion. Separating rooms if need be. I hope that helps.

[Scout]

This thread is a breath of fresh air - a welcome reprieve from the intensity

I vote for:
a pub
a greenhouse
a library
a music hall with a welcoming common area
modest accommodations - nothin fancy
gardens
livestock

Veto:
TV
traffic (air, auto, etc)

[sandyinatlanta]

Hi Whitehaze,
Here are two websites that you might want to visit for inspiration for your village.
One is for The Farm in Tennessee where this large group has successfully lived off the land for over 30 years: www.thefarm.org. The other one is for alternative types of construction: www.barefootbuilder.com. Be sure to check out their photo gallery. It will inspire you. These foks are also in Tennessee and they have workshops to help show you how. Also, have you considered yurts? Most are pre-fab but they are portable and they can be setup rather quickly.

[Feren]

There must be some hi-tech centers of production of food such as greenhouses and maybe food processor plants. I really like the idea of hobbit holes-like houses: they would be underground and vegetation would grow on top of them. Library-like places were people may read, or play musical instruments (ALL FOR FREE!) It would be a high-tech great center of universal knowledge.

[modwiz]

I am really interested in what you want for your personal living space, bunks only? room enough for family events? how much space do you need? The kitchen and hygenic facilities would be seperate.

We are so used to living in a 2500 sqare foot house, have you ever considered how much of that space you can live without?

I personally am fine with a nice 12x12 equivalent space. I say equivalent because starting from scratch we should avoid "boxes" where practical. Sleeping in an area that fosters better energetics would enhance both mental and physical health.

The above space is enough for sleeping and personal time for 1 person. 2 people would not need double the space IMO but certainly a bit more.
As a man I get a lot of mileage witha gallon bottle that needs emptying once or twice a day. Shared toilets and showers work. I do it six months at a time now and would do it for the rest of my life in a positive environment.

Dorms, though boxy are a great way to afford personal space to a dozen or more people with showers and toilets available at one end of the building. Where I was each male or female bathroom had 2 toilets and two shower rooms. There were 8 dorm rooms on each side for a total of 16.

Dorms would allow a decent living environment as the community develops new ideas for living spaces.

[sandy]

Hi, what a great thread!

I have a friend who has been trying to perfect Dome Homes for a few years now and one of his concepts is also to have part of it burmed or built into a natural mound for heat, cooling etc, as well as better shelter from wind, etc. I would love to see a nature sun-room that could also accommodate a small green house for vegetable growth during the off seasons. Thanks Whitehaze...........excited to see you creation upon completion of this project.

P.S. doesn't have to be very big, enough room for the essentials and a big table to feed family, friends and to play board and card games together:)

[NancyV]

If you don't want weapons does that also mean no knives, baseball bats, hammers, bows and arrow, guitar strings (garrotes), etc? There is one main weapon and that is a human. All the other things are just tools that we humans use for either hunting, defense or aggressive purposes. Guns do not kill, people kill. I would never live somewhere where guns were illegal because I do so love guns. Such a wonderful tool for making a nice small hole at a distance.

Dear NancyV, my suggestion for not wanting weapons was simply my choice. I do not speak for everyone, but I do have personal choice - just as you do. As stated these were simply my first thoughts to assist getting the thread moving. By all means put any weapon that you like on your wish list. It is a free forum. If I respond or disagree with you on the matter here it will no doubt serve only to take this thread into a new area and off topic. If you feel the need for a gun control debate this then perhaps a new thread for this purpose may be of interest to you.
Witchy
Dear Witchy, I completely respect your personal choice to not have weapons. I was seeking clarification from you about what you consider a weapon to be, but I fully understand if that question makes you uncomfortable and you choose to not answer. Here is an interesting idea for you and others which might help if you decide to have your communities be gun-free zones:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7pGt_O1uM8

[vibrations]

Dear Whitehaze

My experience with that kind of vilages (I helped to project one) is that in a first place you have to establish the terrain topography where the vilage will be. it's preferable to choose tarrain with natural water source, to choose locations for the houses to avoid natural desastres (some wild river when there is a lot of rain etc).
Than consider the amount of people living in.
Urban structure (living areas, common areas, service areas, energy production areas etc.
The way of building (for example geo-friendly houses, oriented on south to get all daylight and sun power over the day, the rest of the house is inside the hill, conserving the natural earth temperature and economizing energy)
The energy options like sunpanels, windmills, hydroenergy etc, etc
The interior distribution is flexible, one family wants one way, the other another way, so this is the last factor.

In Spain we buided a vilage with rounded houses and conical roofs, all made from compressed straw, 1m (3 feet) walls, so energy efficient that barelly needs any heating or cooling. At the end there was just a few houses build, shortage of money off course.

We also have to see the fact that arround 25th parallel the living conditions are the best, mild winters and not so hot summers. Fruit and vegetables grow very well, you can have up to 4 collections per year if you are near to the sea. In Canary Islands for example in a coast they have 4 collections and than higher you go, less it grows, so in about 400m (1200 feet) above the sea you just have one collection.

And I work in Cinema 4d if you need a hand with modelling, I can dedicate some time to that.

¤=[Post Update]=¤

and here in Europe we are not used to see guns around. US is different, very beautyfull country, but I do not want to live there.

[Whitehaze]

Splendid ideas everyone! This does add your color to things.......PLEASE keep going with it. Think it, and it manifests.

[Heartsong]

Just a note. Remember the children. Toddlers need physical activity in a controlled space so they don't wander off. Think of a coral for kids filled with structures to climb on, over and generally investigate. Also a sit bench and table for Mom's.
Older kids will need a different space with larger play structures.

[Whitehaze]

Just a note. Remember the children. Toddlers need physical activity in a controlled space so they don't wander off. Think of a coral for kids filled with structures to climb on, over and generally investigate. Also a sit bench and table for Mom's.
Older kids will need a different space with larger play structures.

Thank you for pointing that out! A learning play area, a safe hands-on approach.

[Luke]

The "bank" idea is great one. Having free energy, you can manipulate it at will.
Not to mention possibility of direct energy-> matter conversion.

Personally I am very much interested in creating living human habitats - homes that are symbiotic to human living in it, processing all the "waste" into useful products, adopting to needs (growing, creating specialized appendages etc.).
Not to mention that you do not need to build anything but a seed: design it, then provide nutrients. This would for all practical reasons eliminate the need for mass production, or so I think.

But of course such thing need far better understanding ecosystems, the causalities that rule ecosphere, that we are completely oblivious to.
Copy-pasting that passes for bioenginering today looks too much like shooting in the dark. Not to mention consequences of thoughtless meddling with systems vital to our living, we practically know very little about (In the terms on what Frank Herbert called "planetology")

In order to solve anything, you need to look from level above it.

Current designs do not cut it: on material level for one, but most importantly, on infrastructure level.
Completely new designs are needed. Completely new ways of thinking about communities , and most importantly: how energy should flow.

Should we even live here, among animals? We are impeding both ours and their growth. So much unnecessary slaughter.

Maybe Gaia is about to let her children leave the home ?

How about cities/communities build like that:

http://www.thinkhero.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/AvatarFlying_gallery_primary.jpg

But first: remove all fears, as they are based in scarcity.

[Mr54]

On the question of armaments. Horses for courses I guess. However I will say that I once went to school wearing short trousers, I was berated by my teacher for having done so as it was against the rules. My argument was that if the Americans have the Right To Bear Arms then I should have the Right To Bare Legs. This argument was not appreciated by my teacher who was not a follower of Surrealism.

[finally there!!!]

hey all hope everyone is smiling
love this thread

I would love a silent disco

love and respect

[Lifesong]

I am really interested in what you want for your personal living space, bunks only? room enough for family events? how much space do you need? The kitchen and hygenic facilities would be seperate.

We are so used to living in a 2500 sqare foot house, have you ever considered how much of that space you can live without?


For a couple with two teenage children, we could live comfortably with 2 rooms or just one with a collapsing divider. Ideally each would be multipurpose for family time, smaller gatherings, sleeping.

I'd also think a library space in the community building would be nice.

[Mystique]

I like your idea. How about a beautiful circular courtyard in the center with a fountain? Around this courtyard is a 2-story building; the bottom floor are artisan studios that open up to courtyard so people can see their works in progress and commission artwork. There could also be a section with open, yet covered space, for year 'round farmer's market. Upstairs could be small, efficient living spaces with balconies overlooking the grounds where artists and others live while they work their craft. Now you got my juices flowing - thanks!

[dddanieljjjamesss]

partially subterranean, sacred geometrical, dome-shaped greenhouses connected underground by rooms and tunnels!

[tutu]

Yes, Artisans!
Is this to be a self-sustaining community or is the vision a simple residential community? How much of the necessities are to be bought off-site and how many to be produced within the community? A true self-sustaining community will need space for work ( I imagine LOTS of WORK !) - food preparation, fabric production (weaving, sewing) for clothing and bedding; wood-working and/or metal-working - (tools, furnishings ); pottery (and if advanced - glass making) and of course gardening for food and medicinal herbs, as well as orchard care. I expect animal care will be an essential, as well. (if the community is near a body of water - i envision canoe building, net makiing.) The list goes on and on......

As for child care, my experience is that the children who are early and fully integrated into community life do not suffer from some of our current society's adolescent dramas. I encourage minimal age segregation amongst the youth - i see in my grandchildren's judo dojo the successful mixing of elementary age through college age students - the elder youth provide wonderful role models and must practice self-restraint and care, while the younger ones are full of self-esteem for having "big kids" as their peers. I might add, the younger ones are never in any danger. (The spoken rule is respect!) My own father attended a one-room school for his first 8 years of education (he was the only one in his "grade") and I believe his learning was accelerated due to this good fortune.

Hope this musing is helpful :)

Aloha

[Franny]

Cool thread, thanks.

I immediately thought of http://calearth.org/

Itʻs in the desert to the north of the mountains and a fascinating place to visit. The buildings are circular and can be built in a short amount of time. Think of an old style bee skep with coils starting at the bottom and going round and round to the top with doors and windows inserted. They are very stable in high winds, floods and quakes and legal to build in this county -- which is just short of a miracle. Thousands of them were build in Iran after the quake they had a few years ago that killed over 30,000 people.

The basic size is 400 sq ft / 121 sq meters but can be joined together to provide a larger space. They are flexible so shelving, skylights and other things can be built in. This size would be fine by me as the cabin I live in is less than 400 sq ft!

One building set aside as a meditation hall.

Some are shaped like quonset huts and those can serve as meeting places, kitchen/meal rooms, barns and such. They can probably be adapted to greenhouses too.

I love all of the input and ideas brought up so far, they cover most everything. Has anyone mentioned a pond for fish if this community is inland?

Love goats and I volunteer to take care of them :)

Raised beds in the garden to keep the gophers out.

Composting toilets and gray-water recycling.

Thatʻs about it for the moment...

[MargueriteBee]

I currently live in an earth covered dome home. I live in the small dome and my neighbor lives in the two story dome. Her dome stays cold even with a big fire going all day. While my dome warms up to a nice toasty 80 or so. I highly recommend small apartment domes.

[Whitehaze]

I currently live in an earth covered dome home. I live in the small dome and my neighbor lives in the two story dome. Her dome stays cold even with a big fire going all day. While my dome warms up to a nice toasty 80 or so. I highly recommend small apartment domes.

This is how I am designing it, in an interesting way too. I love being able to do this in 3d and walking around in it.

[karelia]

What an exciting thread!

I would love to see different constructions. Perhaps small domes and/or underground homes (with no corners) for family units, then strawbale type constructions for the community areas, all of them environmentally friendly and round or oval shaped. For personal space, I would like a small bedroom (to fit a queen size futon with enough space around it to move comfortably is all I want in a bedroom), a small living area, and a kitchen large enough to prepare something I crave when I'm better without company. A community kitchen perhaps to indulge my inner foodie. I would like my own bathroom because nothing calms me like a long, hot bath and a good book. My living room would have a padded bench beneath each window, built-in shelves, and a fireplace. Because I can dream, right? I love fireplaces. Not so much for the lovely heat they provide but for the atmosphere; fireplaces make a place cozy.

A garden, oh, yes! Perhaps small gardens to go with each family unit for personal use, and then a large garden to grow food. And a small herd of cows to provide milk and nourishment for the meat eaters, and a flock of sheep to provide fiber, which can be spun into yarn and knitted into socks and garments.

I like that idea.

[modwiz]

Yes, Artisans!
Is this to be a self-sustaining community or is the vision a simple residential community? How much of the necessities are to be bought off-site and how many to be produced within the community? A true self-sustaining community will need space for work ( I imagine LOTS of WORK !) - food preparation, fabric production (weaving, sewing) for clothing and bedding; wood-working and/or metal-working - (tools, furnishings ); pottery (and if advanced - glass making) and of course gardening for food and medicinal herbs, as well as orchard care. I expect animal care will be an essential, as well. (if the community is near a body of water - i envision canoe building, net makiing.) The list goes on and on......

As for child care, my experience is that the children who are early and fully integrated into community life do not suffer from some of our current society's adolescent dramas. I encourage minimal age segregation amongst the youth - i see in my grandchildren's judo dojo the successful mixing of elementary age through college age students - the elder youth provide wonderful role models and must practice self-restraint and care, while the younger ones are full of self-esteem for having "big kids" as their peers. I might add, the younger ones are never in any danger. (The spoken rule is respect!) My own father attended a one-room school for his first 8 years of education (he was the only one in his "grade") and I believe his learning was accelerated due to this good fortune.

Hope this musing is helpful :)

Aloha

Tutu, your vision is in alignment with mine. Think renaissance faire and the crafts you see there, add farmers and the vision starts to take on a more real feel. It is not that simple,of course but, every vision needs a framework that is both based in do ability and get the creative juices(passion) flowing.

A community conceived with the existing structures being utilized will be vulnerable to what looks to be an upcoming systems failure.

[modwiz]

I currently live in an earth covered dome home. I live in the small dome and my neighbor lives in the two story dome. Her dome stays cold even with a big fire going all day. While my dome warms up to a nice toasty 80 or so. I highly recommend small apartment domes.

There is no underestimating the importance of interior environmental control. Staying comfortable on the cheap is crucial.

[Whitehaze]

A few more days and I should be ready to post some pics of the mockup ive done thus far.

[Mr54]

A few more days and I should be ready to post some pics of the mockup ive done thus far.

Looking forward to seeing your/our vision!

[NinjaPhil]

Wonderful topic! I guess my expectation would be that community should be more important and people should have more of a vested interest in it. I guess we're talking village only here but I think this needs to get applied to cities at some point.

Points that I think would be important to a village in the order I'm thinking of them!
- Plenty of Trees/Life
- Shared community area for growing food
- Community area for events
- Sustainable power
- Built-in parking with enough capacity for all community plus visitors!
- Personal space but better use of space and building technologies to achieve this
- Buildings designed to withstand natural disaster
- Areas for learning
- Different sizes of housing for varying size families
- Built in - everything you'd need such as heating, power, cooling. Again any way to make all that sustainable is a benefit.
- Built in Wifi LOL

Part of me thinks of Center Parcs (which you'll know about if you live in the UK http://www.centerparcs.co.uk/villages/sherwood/map/index.jsp) where you have villas spread out across woodland in small groups and then you have a central area which is under a Dome.

Plus we really need to make sure that there are built in water slides ^_^

[Franny]

I currently live in an earth covered dome home. I live in the small dome and my neighbor lives in the two story dome. Her dome stays cold even with a big fire going all day. While my dome warms up to a nice toasty 80 or so. I highly recommend small apartment domes.

I would love to hear more. What is the building material, the size etc? Are there several rooms? Do tell!

[Rhiannon]

Plus we really need to make sure that there are built in water slides ^_^

important point! .... i'm in for it... ;)

[J0urney]

A few years ago I started paying for about 40 acres of land. I named it “Shangri la”. It was my desire to see a community of loving people come together to help and support one another. In this community the homes were to be completely eco built. We were going to be self sustaining in every way including energy off the grid. This gathering of people would not push any one belief system on others, but would enjoy free thinking I this area. I had it all mapped out. Lol! Where the animals would be. How I would keep them warm in the winter. Where the crops would be. How we would help and pitch in to earn part of said supplies. I guess it was not meant to be. I ran out of money and my husband was not well. It is still my wish to one day have this come to be, even if not by my hand. We could all use a lot of love in the times to come. I even had a school planned. It was going to teach not only the necessary lessons, but metaphysical ones. The best part about my school, and I was heart broken when I had to tell myself this would not happen, was one room in particular. I called this a meditation room. I envisioned it completely black with holographic lights that exactly resembled the galaxies of the universe. It was to be made as if you stepped outside your galaxy and could see space. Can you imagine meditating in a room like that?! There would be no vehicles inside the community. My husband wanted a building where he and others could make their own brew. He does enjoy making beer and mead. It was to be lead by a group of “Elders” with a speaking stick to make the very important decisions with regards to everyone’s opinion. As you can tell, I spent a lot of time thinking about this. I’m just really saddened that it didn’t happen. But if things happen the way I think they will, my little village was in the wrong spot anyway. Lol!

[Whitehaze]

A sneak peek in wireframe mode.....hard to see.......but its huge.



http://projectavalon.net/forum4/attachment.php?attachmentid=4724&d=1298048470

[Mr54]

Wow looks cool! Confusing but cool!

[Peta Babkama Luruba Anaku]

A sneak peek in wireframe mode.....hard to see.......but its huge.



http://projectavalon.net/forum4/attachment.php?attachmentid=4724&d=1298048470

Yeah......Wow....I'm Floored.

[sygh]

Whitehaze, great idea! Natural water filters. Biotoilets. Adobe Tiles? Think sun and heat conduction during the winter. Indoor/outdoor kitchen away from sleeping quarters with places to dry fruits, veggies, herbs. Home garden. Central meeting house. Central fields. Field rotation. Grain and storage silos. Animal nurseries. Fish estuaries. Fruit and nut groves. Field rotation. School.

I'm working on the energy aspect. We'll need a source. There were chrystals used, with a capstone (my guess would be that it had 33 facets). It's probably come a long way since then. If you find anything about this information, would you please forward it to me?

¤=[Post Update]=¤

Whitehaze, Just snuck a peak, WOW.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

One things for certain= keep your garden hidden from view. Same with stored water. If i'm watching my family starve, and you've got food and drink, i'm coming for you and yours. Its a sad reality but one worth taking note of. I've been buying a lot of 7.62 x 39 ammo lately, haven't got around to store much food or water though. Hope i'm on your side when shtf :)