Igloo Bottle
Strangely Sustainable: Houses That Will Save The Planet By Lookin’ Strange
Here at Nuvo, we try to keep up to date with the latest in ethical, eco friendly practices. However, there’s a lot of ‘green’ scams” going on right now. From green automobiles and groceries, to eco friendly cell phones, everyone’s got their own plan to save the world. A excellent way to begin to make a difference is to make houses a lot more energy efficient. Sometimes, though… the plan to save the world can end up getting a little… strange.
Glass Bottle House
What would you do with 500, 000 empty embalming fluid bottles? When faced with this dilemma David H. Brown decided to build himself a house. When he retired from the funeral business in 1952, after 35 years of (I assume) hoarding large, square bottles, he began work on his whimsical folly.
Why is it Sustainable?
Well, the house itself ended up being incredibly energy-efficient; it only needs heating from a single, small heater in the winter and no air conditioning at all in the summer. And, at 1,200 square feet of floor space, it’s also a pretty good size. The walls were put together with a single thickness of bottles, which are short and stubby. Strips of wood are placed between the bottlenecks, and strengthened with cement and wire, which supports the inner lining of cedar boards, which are nailed on perpendicularly. All of this creates a strong, weatherproof, and unique home. Judging from the pictures, if you can get over the somewhat icky origin of the bottles themselves, it looks like a pretty nice place to live.
Straw Bale Houses
Houses made out of straw bales are nothing new. In fact, people have been making homes of straw since before the beginning of recorded history. However, recently the technique is getting a second chance. New and improved methods allow for the construction of a safe, inexpensive, robust, attractive and efficient home. Unless, of course, you suffer from hay fever.
Why is it Sustainable?
Because the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation says it is. In a recent study the CMHC had this to say about the energy efficiency of Straw Bale Houses:
“The straw bale houses used over 20 per cent less space heating energy when compared to the modelled conventional houses. Some of this may be due to underventilation of the straw bale houses and a small tendency for the model to overpredict energy consumption in the conventional houses. However, the size of the savings and the consistency (9 of 11 houses) indicate that the straw bale houses in this survey require significantly less space heating energy than comparable conventional houses.”
Also, no fibreglass insulation means fewer chemicals used. With the additional of wall surfacing done with an earth/clay render you have a house constructed completely out of products derived from your average farmer’s field and is much more efficient than one made commercially.
Foam Domes
It’s impossible to argue with it, the Japanese are responsible for a lot of weird. They have some of the most bizarre housing developments in the world, and this is one of them. Right now you can buy yourself a handy kit that will allow you and a handful of your buddies to put together a 146 square foot dome made completely out of fully expanded polysterene foam. It’s not only waterproof, rot-proof, and termite-proof, it’s also extremely resistant to earthquakes, hurricanes and typhoons. Apparently, The Future of Housing closely resembles a cross between an igloo, and an ice cream cake.
Why is it Sustainable?
Well, for starters, you can build a home without killing any trees. They are also ridiculously energy-efficient and durable. However, the largest part of what makes them sustainable is the cost. A single kit will go for around $30,000. Think about it, you can get yourself a multi-dome complex for less than a third of the average cost of a house in Canada. You just have to reconcile yourself to the concept of living in a giant, pink igloo.
About the Author
Jonathan Meier is the Marketing and Social Media Coordinator for Nuvo Hotel Suites, a small
boutique hotel
specializing in
extended stays
in downtown Calgary, Alberta. When he’s not at the Hotel dealing with the daily dose of craziness he’s usually out in the mountains near his hometown of Canmore where he can be seen climbing, skiing, or doing anything at all that doesn’t involve computers.
Igloo Gloo Ep 13 The Bottle
|
|
Vintage J & IEM Igloo Monitor Fountain Pen Ink Bottle $6.05 |
|
|
Igloo Products Corporation Accommodate Sports Drinks & Water Bottles $93.77 |
|
|
Igloo thermos and aladdin thermos bottles plastic kid safe for soup or drink $7.95 |
|
|
1962 BOTTLE OF COKE IN AN IGLOO AT NIGHT WITH MOON AD $7.00 |
|
|
POWERADE 5 Gallon Igloo Water Cooler Jug & 5 Sport Bottles & 5 Towels NEW Lot $49.99 |
|
|
ANTIQUE 19TH CENTURY AMERICAN INK TURTLE IGLOO BOTTLE AMERICAN FOLK ART BIRD $199.99 |
|
|
Igloo personal size cooler and New Igloo Water bottle holder $9.99 |
|
|
Vintage J & IEM Igloo Monitor Fountain Pen Ink Bottle Iridiscent $49.99 |
|
|
2000 Evian Bottled Water On Ice Block Igloo Print Ad $8.79 |
|
|
1962 Coca-Cola Coke bottle in igloo photo print ad $8.49 |
|
|
FRW197 Igloo 19-Bottle Wine Chiller $119.95 |
|
|
A&F IGLOO TURTLE INK ADAMS & FAY CLEVELAND,OHIO 1870 $24.00 |
|
|
1962 Ad Coca-Cola Ice cold coke right now bottle in igloo artwork $9.95 |
|
|
USED IGLOO PARTY BARREL ROUND MOBILE BLUE BEER DRINK BOTTLE ICE TUB $89.00 |
|
|
Holiday FRW080 8-Bottle Wine Cooler, Black by Igloo $100.00 |
|
|
Igloo Little Playmate Cooler WATER BOTTLE canteen ice pack vtg lunchmate part $23.99 |
|
|
Igloo Little Playmate Cooler WATER BOTTLE canteen ice pack vtg lunchmate part $23.99 |
|
|
Koolatron Compact Kooler $79.99 The Koolatron(tm) Compact 12V Cooler was specially designed to fit in those tight spaces between and behind the seats of your car, van or truck. A 12-volt power cord plugs into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter to keep your food and drinks cold and fresh, without the use of ice. The cooler can be set to keep your food up to 40 degrees colder than the outside temperature or can be used as a warmer…. |
|
|
Kegorator Beer Keg Fridge Kegorator Beer Keg Fridge. Kegorator Beer Keg Fridge Swivel casters make it mobile enough to roll around the clubhouse, pool area or anywhere you want to get the party started. The included 2.5-pound CO2 bottle is good for about four 15-gallon kegs and the fridge features a semi-gloss black tap tower with spring loaded, top-mounted tapper. A chrome guard rail and drip tray finishes the look of the… |
|
|
Big Mouth Toys Kool Koozie, The Perscription $3.75 The Perscription Drink Koozie. A cold beer is just what the doctor ordered! Our new hilarious foam can coozie / cooler is both fun and useful. It will keep any beverage can or bottle icy cold, but it keeps your hands warm and dry…. |
|
|
Water Dispenser Replacement Faucet – White $4.00 3/4 inch white Tomlinson lever faucet for use with ceramic water dispensers…. |
|
|
Rubbermaid Insulated Beverage Container/Water Cooler, Orange, 5 Gallon, One Each $28.95 Keep beverages cold for hours. Crack-resistant polyethylene for long life. Screw top lid for a tight seal. Recessed dripless spigots. Capacity (Volume): 5.000 gal Material(s): Polyethylene Color(s): Orange Diameter: 12 1/2 in.Unit of Measure : Each… |
|
|
Rubbermaid 5-Quart Personal Ice Chest Cooler, Red $11.79 Great for carrying lunches. Can hold 6 cans plus ice…. |
|
|
Coleman 70-Quart Xtreme Cooler (Blue) $39.76 Xtreme Cooler keeps ice up to 5 days at 90° F Holds 98 cans with ice Hinged lid with four beverage holders Lid designed to accommodate 24 elastic cords for additional storage (cords sold separately) Two-way handles for easy lifting and transporting Channel Drain for easy, no-tilt draining of liquids Dimensions: 18.25 x 31.5 x 16… |
|
|
Coleman 100-Quart Xtreme Wheeled Cooler (Blue) $74.54 Carry up to 160 cans with ease–and store ice for up to five days even when it’s 90 degrees outside–in the Xtreme 5 100-Quart Wheeled Cooler by Coleman. With two large wheels, two-way handles and a comfortable tow handle for one-hand operation, this cooler is easy to roll even on rough terrain. After the party, it’s easy to drain thanks to a rustproof, leak-resistant channel drain for no-tilt dra… |
|
|
Coleman 48-Quart Cooler, Blue $25.00 Coleman 48 – quart Cooler for reliable, portable storage for perishables! Fit up to 63 cans in this huge Coleman Cooler! Allows for upright storage of upright 2-liter bottles, too: 2-way handles for easier lifting and carrying; Hinged lid with beverage holders; Rustproof, leak-resistant channel drain for no-tilt draining; Designed to accommodate 24″ cords for additional dry storage. Rugged, hard p… |
|
|
Vitapur Hot/Room and Cold with Fingerprint Resistant Stainless finish w/Illuminated refrigerated compartment $399.89 … |