Last week, we saw a lodge in Chile that looked like a hobbit hotel and this week we bring you a woodland home with a similar aesthetic. Though this domain doesn't gush gallons of water, it is an alternative living space for a natural homestead. Photographer Simon Dale is responsible for the design and construction of this eco-home, despite his inexperience in architecture and carpentry.
The 32-year-old photographer was tired of mortgage payments and had a passion for nature. Equipped with a chainsaw, hammer, and 1-inch chisel, the determined family man began construction on a plot of land in the woods, which the family luckily gained ownership of in return for their care of the area. With the help of his father-in-law, who just happened to be a builder, Dale set forth to build his ecological dream home on a budget.
The home, which was constructed for a grand total of 3,000 (approximately $5,200) features plenty of sustainable materials. It uses scrap wood for flooring and bales of straw on dry-stone walling for the interior walls. Other unique attributes to the house include lime plaster instead of cement for the walls and a compost toilet. The emerging architect even diverted water from a nearby spring and incorporated solar panels to provide power. Within four months, Dale built an unhindered habitat for his family in Wales that takes pride in a low-impact lifestyle. It may not boast the technology of Apple's headquarters, but it is a natural haven for a young eco-friendly family. Dale is currently working on constructing his first home in the Lammas Village, Wales' first eco-development.
