Architectural Designs

Where to start. Planning a small self sufficient house build?

Please can someone give me a pointer or where I can find some info on how to plan a self sufficient house build? I am finding google searches overwhelming! I plan to build a small home in the cheapest and most eco friendly way possible. Also to be self sufficient with water and electricity. Please can you help me find a starting point!

Public Comments

1. You really need to get some books and start reading up. You local library may have such books you can check out for free if you don't want to spend the money. The internet is great for finding basic information sources but there is nothing like actually reading a book and seeing the illustrations of how to go about doing it. Here's one book I just bought: http://www.amazon.com/Small-Eco-Houses-Living-Green/dp/0789320959 Go to http://www.realgoods.com and look at the books that they offer on homesteading and eco-friendly house building. Buy one of two of those and start studying them. They also sell many of the products and appliances you might need to live off the grid, like solar systems and wind turbines and propane powered refrigerators. Also, look at bookstores in the magazine department at publications like Mother Earth News and the eco home-building mags. And most big bookstores have a department with books on building eco-friendly building. Browse them and you will find what you need to get started. Also, check with the adult learning classes at your local community college -- you might be surprised to find they offer courses in building eco-conscious housing. Real Goods offers courses in home building and alternative technologies, too, though most are in California.
2. I tried to find some eco friendly stuff on the web for free, because I don't think you need to buy books to find self sufficient house build info. I'm from Australia and sadly we're lacking behind the rest of the world when it comes to using innovative green building designs. I checked some of the Aussie sites and found information about Earth Ships and how many people are wanting to build them in Oz. Our building regulation laws are a stinker for trying anything new. Take a look at the forum page and watch the videos, they seem to be really helpful. http://www.pursuitofhappiness.info/Vine/KarmaLounge/showthread.php?t=179