South Africa's power grid can sometimes be more than a little unstable, and with that in mind Raymond Smith designed this remarkable barnhouse to depend as little as possible on the country's infrastructure for its needs.
Featuring rainwater collection, wind power turbines and photovoltaic panels, Raymond Smith's barnhouses also make use of passive design elements to use as little energy as possible. The result is a comfortable but utterly self-sufficient structure that effectively juggles living and environmental concerns.
Implications - The creation of sustainable housing by private actors shows how citizens, especially in less-industrialized countries, are no longer relying on the government to provide them with social services and other infrastructure.
Super-Sustainable Barnhouses
This Raymond Smith Design is a Self-Sufficient Wonder
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Housing - Private actors are creating sustainable housing to address environmental concerns and reduce dependency on government infrastructure.
2. Self-sufficient Design - Designers are incorporating passive design elements, rainwater collection, wind turbines and photovoltaic panels into structures to promote energy independence and reduce reliance on external resources.
3. Off-grid Living - Off-grid living solutions are becoming popular, especially in regions where traditional infrastructure may be unreliable, leading to opportunities for innovators to develop self-sustaining homes and structures.
Industry Implications
1. Renewable Energy - The renewable energy industry can benefit from the growing demand for green technologies in housing design and push for the widespread adoption of self-sustaining systems.
2. Architecture - Architects and builders can capitalize on the trend towards sustainable housing design by incorporating eco-friendly technologies and passive elements, while also responding to the needs of residents.
3. Construction - Construction companies can explore innovative building methods and materials to facilitate the creation of self-sufficient and eco-friendly structures for off-grid living.