Posts Tagged ‘construction’

Why use trees to build houses?

Friday, February 20th, 2009

Mark Moritz from Ontario writes:

I have designed the world’s most energy-efficient, greenest house! Yes, quite a bold statement, but true. I’m a professional carpenter and builder who, through years of construction and research, has come up with a house design that is built with a combination of new and very old construction techniques.

This house is made entirely from concrete with no lumber. The exterior of the house has been Armor-protected with a new, unique coating that is indestructible. This dwelling is self-sustaining, producing its own energy from wind and solar sources, and will be equipped with a one-of-a-kind LED mirrored lighting system, illuminating the entire house. It will also have centuries-old building technique of geothermal chambers and rainwater cisterns under the structure.

My goal is to build communities with such houses. Imagine the impact of communities contributing little carbon footprint, where no trees are used. There isn’t any reason why all future homes can be built like this. Everyone wins! It looks like I will be receiving funding from the Government for this project. They said helping the environment is of the utmost importance.

So far, it looks like the house will be built in Udora, Ontario, just south of Lake Simcoe. I’m hoping to break ground by June 2009, but I’m in need of funding for this project. The cost of such a dwelling is almost double the cost of a conventional house. But the payback is much greater down the road for your pocket and the environment.

My goal is to show people that they can live in a healthy, modern environment that is self-sustaining and affordable, while leaving a zero carbon footprint. I am willing to do what it takes to get this technology out there and to do my part to educate the public and preserve the environment.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Why use trees to build?

Help wanted on recycling construction materials

Monday, May 12th, 2008

“Are there companies in place to recycle construction site materials? I don’t mean metal or bricks, etc, taken from tear downs, but the wood cut-offs from new home or renovation construction… I have been around many sites and the amount of recyclable wood that is being dumped into landfills is staggering. In just one area on one day I saw enough cut off wood to fill a semi trailer… why not pick up all of that lumber and remake it into new building material i.e.: finger joint lumber, melamine particle board etc? The nails in older boards could be recycled via a magnet taking the metal out of a slurry, like in regular recycling for aluminum. Just think of how many places would be cleaner, smaller land fills and the uses could be endless, paper products, mulch, stove pellets etc.”

– Michel Dupas, Winnipeg Manitoba –