This industrial-looking house is actually a sustainable off-grid home that reinvigorated the surrounding land, putting it back on Mother Nature's course. The young architect, Patrick Dillon, who designed the 'SaLo house' for himself, decided to choose a plot of land in Panama that had been destroyed by slash-and-burn farming.
Its materials are unusual for a forested off-grid home, including corrugated steel, galvanized metal frames and fiberglass panels. However, all of the materials used were leftover from a project Dillon had led building a bridge over the San Pablo River, transforming the industrial looks into sustainable elements.
The open center of the home acts as a natural ventilation, while the arched roof allows water to fall and wind to blow strategically. Finally, trees and shrubs were planted and a cistern was built, which quite rapidly became a watering hole for animals like monkeys, iguanas and frogs.
Land-Salvaging Homes
This Off-Grid Home Was Built From Reused Industrial Materials Via Boat
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Architecture - Opportunity to design and construct environmentally friendly buildings using unconventional materials.
2. Off-grid Living - Potential to create self-sustainable homes that operate without reliance on public utilities.
3. Eco-restoration - Chance to revitalize and rehabilitate damaged ecosystems through innovative design and construction methods.
Industry Implications
1. Construction - Incorporate more sustainable and eco-friendly practices in the construction industry.
2. Renewable Energy - Support the growth of off-grid living by providing renewable energy solutions.
3. Environmental Restoration - Foster the development of eco-restoration services to rehabilitate damaged lands and promote biodiversity.