# Contemporary Straw Houses The Low Impact Living Affordable Community is Environmentally Friendly By Meghan Young | Published 2013-05-30 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/low-impact-living-affordable-community References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2013/05/uk-straw-houses-leeds.html) & [lilac.coop](http://www.lilac.coop/) The Low Impact Living Affordable Community (LILAC) may be constructed out of straw, but try as he might, the Big Bad Wolf will not be able to blow it down. It stands strong as though it were built with bricks. Specifically using [straw bale construction and timber](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-la-escocesa), the 20 houses that make up the architecture project are the first [low carbon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cob-brick), green affordable [co-housing community](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-comunidad-habitacional) in the United Kingdom. Located in the northern English city of Leeds, the Low Impact Living Affordable Community also boasts a communal space that contains a shared kitchen, laundry facilities and offices. Through these shared spaces, the housing promotes a sense of community often lacking in urban settings. It also targets low income families in addition to eco-conscious ones. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 56% | Activity: 23% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Straw Bale Construction:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for the construction industry to explore eco-friendly building materials and techniques. - **Co-housing Communities:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for the real estate industry to offer affordable and community-focused living options. - **Green Affordable Housing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for the housing industry to address the increasing demand for eco-friendly and affordable housing options. ### Where This Applies - **Construction:** Industry opportunity to explore eco-friendly building materials and techniques. - **Real Estate:** Industry opportunity to offer affordable and community-focused living options. - **Housing:** Industry opportunity to address the increasing demand for eco-friendly and affordable housing options. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Community-Made Eco Campuses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wolves-lane-centre.md) - [Dorset Co-Housing Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hazelmead.md) - [Sustainable Country Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/three-oaks-farm.md) - [Cob Building Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cobbauge-house.md) - [Eco-Focused Family Housing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rewild-homes.md) - [Eco‑tiny Sanctuarys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tign-tiny-homes.md) - [Leaf-Inspired Countryside Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leaf-house-1.md) - [Slender Alley Dwelling Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brown-house-1.md) - [Wood-Framed Housing Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/common-woods.md)