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Seeds
of Solidarity
Cultivating
Hope, Educating for Change
165
Chestnut Hill Road Orange, MA 01364 • 978-544-9023
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The
structures we build combine conventional building techniques
with materials that are recycled or energy efficient. Our
design ideas are influenced by local materials, such as
cedar beams and railings, and a Middle Eastern aesthetic,
including stucco, plaster and curved forms that we feel
drawn to and is part of our heritage. Our buildings are
not connected to the utility grid, but utilize renewable
energy (and a small amount of LP gas for cooking and on-demand
hot water heating). Because of the super-insulated construction
we only burn one to one and a half cords of wood each year
to keep our home warm. We will purify our household greywater
through a greenhouse-enclosed constructed wetland system.
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The
techniques, components and materials we use include:
- Double
walled construction
- Nine-inch
super-insulated walls with blown in cellulose
- Insulated
frost protected slab that minimizes excavation, concrete,
and costs
- Passive
solar heating and cooling
- Engineered
lumber ceiling joists
- Hand
cast concrete sills and counters
- Solar
electricity
- Solar
preheated hot water with on-demand LP gas heater
- Composting
toilet
- Air
exchange through adjacent greenhouse
- Plaster
interior walls, stucco exterior
- Local
artist made decor including iron railings and ceramic
tile
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