Microbial House

(could someone delete my 'Microbial House' post from 'Tinkering' thread... I goofed.

Don't know where this should go, but Phillips designed a Microbial House for the recent Dutch Design Week. Vegetable and human poo generate methane under the counter for the cook top and the lamps. Terra cotta - cooling containers in a table top keep food chilled. Mycelium unit composts plastic waste and grows edible mushrooms. Very cool and euro beautiful...

http://inhabitat.com/philips-microbial-home-design-features-fascinating-eco-innovations-like-bacteria-powered-lamps/philips-microbial-home5/?extend=1

well, it's very deco and all, but...
are you bringing human waste into the kitchen so it can go in the island? that seems grosser than pooping next to where you brush your teeth (a standard habit in the usa).

Well, I got overly excited, posted, and then realized this is a 'concept' house.... not working yet. So it's feasibility has not been demonstrated. I don't know where the digester/composter/methane generator would be located, but it seems it would be in the house/kitchen, contained to be unnoticable, with necessary piping to deliver gas where needed.

I really like the idea that an example of self contained, zero emissions, bio-mimicing sustainability (i.e., permaculture) could possibly be made appealing to the typical 'clueless consumer'. If PC is going to spread far beyond the choir, it may have to have a 'tidy' version to offer.... especially for the urbanite. (Or not ;)

I like concept houses - especially ones like this that have immense visual appeal, even if some of the details aren't quite worked out yet. Pushing the boundaries is a good thing. I like to imagine that folks could be inspired, then do the research before building their own, modified version. Meaning, research and design elements to make sure the digester and treatment of human waste are dealt with in the safest way possible.