Permaculture home Makeover ideas needed

Hello,
I am starting to designing my own house for my homestead and I want to get some ideas. Now, I am a huge fan of architecture as well as permaculture and would like my house to be influenced by both. So this is what I'm doing, I found a crazy, huge, over the top house, and I want to ask everyone "How would you remodel/redesign this house in a permaculture/green way?" I want electricity, a fire place, and it to be on a side of a hill. I am very Holzer, and want to do everything on a hill. One last thing before I add the link, I don't know if this has any influence or not but I would like some zone five (wild forest) next to the house in some way. Nothing better than view of nature first thing in the morning. Thank you and I look forward to learn from everyone!

http://wowhomeinteriors.com/home-design/natural-home-design-gallery-from-ray-kappe

Hello,

This can be fun, thanks for sharing. Holzer? Artist or Architect? I do folk timber framing so I see your link as very doable in that format with all natural materials. Issue lots of money or lots of work/time. Are you game for that? Tell us more about you timeline, land location, space demands, focal rooms you spend time in. Also remember, homes with this level of fenestration are not thermal efficient as they could be with more insulated wall space. In a cold climate, the house in your link is not something I would call a Permi house by any standard. Hope that was ok to share?

Regards,

jay

I have two to three years before I start building the house. I most differently don't want a house that large. The house will be the top side of mid Ohio. I'm just interested in what other people would do to transform this house into an efficient permi house. (Example: build more of it into the hill or shrink it 50%, grow grapes on the rafters) Stuff like that but smarter. This way I can get some ideas for the artsy fartsy permaculture house I want to design to live in for many many years while creating a food forest.

Here are more pictures to better help get the general layout of the house.

http://thetemplesofconsumption.blogspot.com/2011/10/ray-kappe.html

Sounds real good. I like the fact your planning that fare out. So many folks don't give themselves enough time to think things through. How do you feel about Cobb, Timber frame and Stone? What is your preferred style: Asian, European, Ultra Modern, Eclectic? Will you design and build it yourself, or have it built? What will be the total square meter (feet)? How many acres? As a designer-facilitator, these things help me get a feel for you goals and the things worth sharing.

Hi Lukepa
Well my feelings are with Jay C. The home you showed is is NOT a earth friendly or economical home especially in Ohio. Heat, Humidity, and Snow.
One of the big problems with altering anothers design is with each change you make it changes everything in the design!
I'd like to suggest something like sirewall.com if you want something a little more earth friendly and economical to live in. Im a fan of there structures and the environment it provides the home owner. The atomosphere would equal your southern californian dream home you posted, in a earthy economical way, and you could incorporate any type of alternative energy sytems in there rammed earth homes, and have a home for a lifetime, thats less toxic and efficient.
Let your imagination fly !
Jon

FYI, I don't work for sirewall! Just love there homes

Hi Jon,

I agree, there is much to be said about rammed earth structures and their relatives. They maybe expensive, (in time and/or money) but they are beautiful and enduring. The Great Wall in China and China's other rammed earth architecture reflects the durability of this ancient craft.

Jay, I am going for a 20 acre property that is hilly. I am a fan of the modern style for the inside that has a social atmosphere. My wife on the other hand is in love with the Italian Villa style. So we are figuring out ways to meet in the middle. The square feet of the house is 600 to 1200. We are very flexible with it as long as it is cozy, efficient, and good looking.

Jon, that is a great suggestion! I have never heard of Sirewall but it seems like a great way to get some ideas.

Permaculture doesn't mean one thing, it means working with your resources available on your land (as much as possible) and built for your climate.

That could be rammed earth, that could be stacked stone, that could be cob, that could be straw bale, that could be earthbag, that could be Wofati.....

You will notice all those methods have 18" thick walls (or so), so the same design will translate to any of the materials fairly easily.

I love rammed earth, as long as someone else is pounding it But it doesn't like wet weather.

All but the strawbale are MASSIVE and need the foundation to deal with it. That can be REALLY expensive.

I would probably build a straw bale house next time, on a pier foundation. Three little pigs be darned--they had it all screwed up on the houses.