Low Impact Sustainable Living aka ‘The Hobbit House’

Ever since I saw The Lord of the Rings, I wanted a Hobbit hole (Albeit a bit larger to accommodate my 6′5″ frame). Built into the landscape while not destroying the scenic beauty, the epic residence of Frodo and friends are the things eco-dreams are made of. But would the concept really work? Could it be done efficiently and effectively without forfeiting to developers that want nothing more than to rape and pillage the land for microlots and mini-mansions?

Turns out, the dream is not that far from reality.

Simon and his family at their woodland home in Wales.

Photographer and fine artist Simon Dale had a dream for a low impact woodland home that was not only family friendly, but eco-friendly as well. With their decision to be full time parents to their children, purchasing a mass-produced monstrosity with an over-inflated mortgage was out of the questions.

With some past experiences and a lot of self-belief, the family embarked on an incredible journey of sustainable living. They camped under canvas tarps during the construction of their house with no facilities and no electricity, a feat that some would call crazy. Crazy or not, you can’t deny the beauty and sustainable nature of this magnificent home.

They started by digging into the hillside and created a foundation and retaining wall from dry stone (Recovered from the hole). The initial framing was erected using small trees and logs. The roof and walls were assembled with bales of hay and shaped via chainsaw and covered in lime plaster (Which also kept the rodents at bay). The floor was a series of palates covered with hay and planks. They used the dirt and mud they dug from the ground to seal the roof (Along with some plastic), patch holes and level where required.

Some key points on design and construction:

• Dug into hillside for low visual impact and shelter
• Stone and mud from diggings used for retaining walls, foundations etc.
• Frame of oak thinnings (spare wood) from surrounding woodland
• Reciprocal roof rafters are structurally and aesthaetically fantastic and very easy to do
• Straw bales in floor, walls and roof for super-insulation and easy building
• Plastic sheet and mud/turf roof for low impact and ease
• Lime plaster on walls is breathable and low energy to manufacture (compared to cement)
• Reclaimed (scrap) wood for floors and fittings
• Anything you could possibly want is in a rubbish pile somewhere (windows, burner, plumbing, wiring…)
• Woodburner for heating – renewable and locally plentiful
• Flue goes through big stone/plaster lump to retain and slowly release heat
• Fridge is cooled by air coming underground through foundations
• Skylight in roof lets in natural feeling light
• Solar panels for lighting, music and computing
• Water by gravity from nearby spring
• Compost toilet
• Roof water collects in pond for garden etc.

The end result is an awe inspiring home that is completely sustainable, and a beauty to look at. There are many more photos, plans and overviews on their website for your viewing pleasure. If you have any interest in eco-friendly homes, then this is a must see! Congratulations to the Dale family for taking the initiative and building a work of art to live in, fantastic work.