Extreme Houses

I came across this cool article from Popular Science about how some researchers are looking into designing a house that grows.

"Architects Mitchell Joachim and Javier Arbona, along with environmental engineer Lara Greden, have designed a house that will grow from a few seedlings into a two-story, water-recycling, energy-efficient abode. The Fab Tree Hab, a mix of ancient and ultramodern technology, isn’t merely environmentally friendly. It is the environment.

Instead of building a home out of green materials, the trio figured, why not construct a living, breathing house? “Something that’s alive and thriving,” Joachim says. They hope to plant the first house within five years, but for now, they’re working with Israeli arboriculture firm Plantware, testing techniques for growing the lattice-like weave of vines and roots that will form the walls." (Popular Science)

I still have fond memories from all the tree houses I built as a young boy - it is amazing how creative a guy can be with a few 2X4's, hammer, nail, & rope. I remember even construction a fireplace with some derelict brick I reclaimed from a neighbours refuse pile. So to imagine a house made from living trees fascinates me still!

Another alternative home design is underground and I came across this site which describes the home of a fellow Canadian William Lishman - very creative! Somehow reminds me of Hobbiton though...not quite as a original as the grow-your-own home idea above but still cool! The other interesting thing about Lishman is that the film Fly Away Home is about his adventures - remember the film about the guy flying the ultralight and leading geese on a migratory route?

Another take on tree houses - is the Free Spirit Sphere - basically an orb that is a small living space that you hang between trees. The Canadian company designing them is marketing them world wide including epic places like Costa Rica!