This adorable little house is the ultimate in self-made architecture. The Wales hideaway was actually built by the family that lives in it, a four month, £3,000 (about $4,425 U.S.) project.
The grass-covered house was built into the green hills in the woodlands of Wales, the aesthetics of it much like one might imagine a Hobbit’s home to look like.
It has a skylight in the roof to let in natural light. Clean water comes from a natural nearby spring. Rain water is collected for gardening. There are solar panels to provide eco-friendly energy to power everything from their lights to their laptops.
Could it get any greener? I mean, it’s even physically green on the outside. The intention behind the home is beautiful too:
"This sort of life is about living in harmony with both the natural world and ourselves, doing things simply and using appropriate levels of technology," the builder and homeowner says. "These sort of low cost, natural buildings have a place not only in their own sustainability, but also in their potential to provide affordable housing which allows people access to land and the opportunity to lead more simple, sustainable lives."
The first three images in the gallery show the described house, while the rest feature homes built with similar intentions.
Hobbit-Style Architecture
Low Impact Woodland Homes Built With Surrounding Nature
Trend Themes
1. Low-impact Architecture - There is an opportunity for architecture firms to focus on creating low-impact, environmentally friendly homes that blend in with natural surroundings.
2. Self-made Housing - Individuals building their own homes presents an opportunity for companies to offer construction materials and instruction on sustainable building practices.
3. Affordable Sustainable Housing - Sustainability-minded developers can capitalize on the demand for affordable housing and build low-cost, eco-friendly homes for the masses.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - There is potential for architecture firms to focus on creating low-impact, environmentally friendly homes that blend in with natural surroundings.
2. Construction - Companies can offer sustainable construction materials and instruction on sustainable building practices to individuals who want to build their own sustainable homes.
3. Real Estate Development - Sustainability-minded developers can capitalize on the demand for affordable housing and build low-cost, eco-friendly homes for the masses.