In many fields today, sustainability is a crucial and fascinating topic. There are an increasing number of people worldwide who are more conscious of their environmental impact and wish to take action to reduce carbon emissions and save the environment. The growing discussion of sustainability has also opened up the door to a broad range of environmental and architectural techniques.

However, the lack of housing in areas where young adults have greater opportunities to study and get work complicates young adults’ entry into adulthood. Difficulties in accessing housing may therefore delay childbearing and prone to psychological stress and anxiety induced by major transitions to adulthood. To increase housing accessibility and give back hope to the youth, hereby we would like to show some opportunities to how to save the planet, and meanwhile afford a house at the same time.

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An eco-friendly house is a house which respects the environment, is made from non-toxic materials, and is energy-efficient both in its construction and use. However, new technologies and construction methods mean that the concept of an “eco-friendly home” is constantly evolving.

• Its design: the house must be in harmony with its surrounding from the moment the blueprints are drawn up;
• Its construction: the selected materials should be natural, recyclable and non-pollutant;
• Appliances: electrical appliances should reduce the energy consumption of the home.

The objectives of an eco-friendly house are, therefore, to produce the least amount of pollutants, reduce any losses of energy, and save money.

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Eco-friendly houses

• Passive houses
  • Passive homes are built to work with their environment to provide the highest degree of energy efficiency, therefore they have a very low energy consumption. By situating windows in a way that takes advantage of light and heat, using innovative ventilation methods, and leveraging effective insulation, passive homes eliminate the majority of the average homeowner’s energy costs. Their distinctive feature is producing nearly all their heating needs through the sun’s energy and appliances within the house. Therefore, they must be very well insulated and over half of their windows should be southern facing.
• Solar homes
  • Solar homes use cutting-edge technologies to provide their own source of energy. Some homes are completely self-sustainable thanks to their optimal solar panels, while others use solar energy as a supplemental resource.
• Tiny houses
  • Tiny houses are small eco-friendly houses built on a trailer. They have affordable construction prices and a low usage cost. With an average surface area of 15m2 small houses consume very little energy and encourage minimalist behaviours.
• Earthship houses
  • This up-and-coming home type uses recycled and organic materials from the local area. They also feature self-sustainable utilities such as solar panels, rainwater recycling systems, and crop gardens. Earthships have a unique look that varies with each construction. Official Earthships are currently only being constructed by Earthship Biotecture, but many architects are getting inspired by the company’s innovative sustainability solutions and designs.

Houses built from natural materials

Homes made from earthen, natural materials are affordable, comfortable, sustainable and enduring. Building an affordable home from earthen materials requires specific techniques.

• Cob houses
  • Cob homes have been around for centuries. Their low cost, combined with the fact that they can be easily molded into any shape and space makes them a great choice for sustainability on a budget. Cob is a natural material that is resistant to fire and earthquakes, in addition to being able to naturally regulate interior temperatures. Because of the substance’s initial malleability, many cob homes feature beautifully sculpted designs and unique aesthetics.
• Hemp houses
  • Also a natural material, hemp shares many of the benefits of cob. Hemp homes are mould, fire, termite, and rot resistant, as well as non-toxic. They are also more soundproof than traditional homes. Hemp homes are very energy efficient, meaning that residents can expect big savings on their heating and air bills.
• Wooden houses
  • To build a home that respects the environment, it is essential to choose natural and sustainable construction materials. Wood is one of the most used materials for this reason when building these types of homes. Natural, renewable and generally originating in sustainably managed forests, it is also a very good insulator.
• Straw bale houses
  • Straw is the springy tubular stalk of grasses such as wheat and rice that are high in tensile strength. It is not hay, which is used for feeding livestock and includes the grain head. Straw is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and silica. It breaks down in the soil, so waste straw can be used as mulch. Straw bale walls are rendered and are surprisingly resistant to fire, pests and decay.  Straw bales are less durable than cob, but far more insulative, and their uniform size and shape offer an easy route to rectilinear walls. Straw bales also take up a lot of space; much of their insulation comes from the sheer thickness of the walls they create.

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What can you do, if you want your own property, but don’t have enough money to build a new one?

• Renovate an old house! There are plenty of older family houses waiting to be renovated. These houses usually sold cheaper, since they are not brand new, so this can be your chance to buy one. If you are open to living a little nomad while the renovation is going on, if you feel motivated and tireless to build your home with your own hands, this could be your way of yours. Renovating old houses is a kind of recycling, and reusing, which even makes you more sustainable.
• Build a community! Whether you are renovating an old house or building a new one, it is always difficult to find and pay professionals. Building with earthen, natural materials gives you the option to DIY, but you will definitely need more hands for that. DIY building is a great opportunity to build a community, and invite, friends, family members, and neighbours to work together, in exchange for your help at their place.
• Learn the techniques of workshops and/or volunteering! Nowadays there are plenty of options to find workshops and volunteering opportunities, where you can learn, how to work with natural materials. Do not be lazy to find the possibility and try it!
• Use the natural, traditional materials of your area! Wherever you buy a place, first look around to see the typical local natural materials. In some places there are more rocks, in other places, there are more wood or clay. Stick to the traditional materials, it makes your life easier and cheaper.
• And last but not least, be ready for your own house and sustainable living!