Kris Harbour was a London based Engineer who yearned for freedom.
He ditched his £400,000 mortgage, ditched his job, and bought himself an 18 acre plot in Wales, where he built this house for £4,000.
There has been a huge rise in the whole concept of what are referred to as 'Hobbit Homes', mostly they are legally built, but often they are not and are eventually pulled down.
I have always been in awe of people who build their own homes from either the materials found around them, or from what they find on Ebay or at the local dump or junk yard.
I don't know if my village owns any spare land, but I would love to see a few hundred acres being offered to people who wish to build self-sufficient, sustainable, alternative homes. I'm sure it could only benefit the village, and would bring in a bunch of very interesting and inventive people.
M le Maire, please take note.
I wish (for your sake) that your horrible neighbors with the shipping containers were doing something like this instead.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that have been a good idea!
DeleteI was thinking the same thing as Jennifer.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip
Too late, I fear.
DeleteThat's better than half burying shipping containers, eh?
ReplyDeleteThey could use the buried containers as septic tanks; much better idea.
DeleteFunny. I was thinking about the development too. Much more interesting.
ReplyDeleteGreat minds, eh?
DeleteIt's actually Kris Harbour (not Chris) for those of your readers who wish to google him.
ReplyDeleteMarvellous, isn't it, google has become a verb.
U
I knew it was with a K; just typing too quickly. I've changed it.
DeleteIt is a lovely idea, there are two in England, Tinkers Bubble in Somerset and then Lammas in Wales. But listen to the villagers and their concerns. Lots of friction, a bit like half buried containers!
ReplyDeletePeople are afraid of 'alternative life styles'. If it isn't 9am-5pm, hefty mortgage, and 2.4 children, they think it must be the devil's work.
DeleteGreat way to live but hard work.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep to our healthy lifestyle, got no choice anyway, and stop complaining about Ks 'recycling' habits.
I love the look and the idea of that house. Certainly would be an interesting neighbour to pass the time with
Have you ever seen the TV programme 'Grand Designs'? They've had a few similar type houses on the show; all very interesting.
DeleteAlways watch Grand Designs
DeleteThe best one ever was a man in the woods who built his A Frame house from nearby trees (in Sussex, I think).
DeleteYes, I loved that one. And then when they went back to visit he had met a girl and she loved it the same as him and they had had a child.
DeleteI think he was only allowed to build and live in that one because he 'worked' the woodland. He would never be able to sell it.
DeleteThat's right. I think he'd have to pull it down if he gave up working the land.
DeleteI think they are called shanty towns when it gets to a few hundred acres.
ReplyDeleteI imagined everyone having a few acres for crops and animals and firewood. Not the Brazilian model.
DeleteAgree in principal Cro but might lead to a lot of pretty awful shanties.
ReplyDeleteWell, they'd be the ones who had to live in them. It would be in their interest to make them interesting and pleasant. Another reason for wanting a few hundred acres; they'd be well hidden.
DeleteIt is amazing what people can do. It's almost a pioneer spirit. I always want to ask how they thought of doing something like that.
ReplyDeleteOnce you have an idea, the problems usually solve themselves as you go along. When we built our 'tower' we had to stop occasionally to work out how to do the next stage. We only went wrong once, and that was just one day lost.
DeleteWe call them “tiny homes”. Some are manufactured and others are built by those who want to live a more simple lifestyle Many are on wheels so they can be moved around. I appreciate their wanting to live this way but, oh my, that is a very claustrophobic way to spend one’s days.
ReplyDeleteSome of them ARE very small, but I suppose they could always expand. Still, I'd prefer that to living in a caravan.
DeleteMy great grandparents and grandfather built adobe homes in New Mexico in the 1930's. Eventually they ended up with a nice six room house, dairy barn, milking parlor, and small second house. Talk about work! Most people today are just too lazy. My people never stopped working, it was just how life was. They passed that down to their children....all industrious.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the lifestyle of downsizing, simplifing, and making time for more life than work time...unless you are working for yourself.
I did the same thing by moving from the West coast of US to a nice little town in the Midwest. Houses cost 1/10th the price. Life is peaceful. And the cost of living is low.
I do enjoy the conversation on your blog!