Graphics as above and throughout the presentation material, are courtesy of www.dreamstime.com - without whose affordable graphics library, I could not have prepared any of the presentation documents as I had no community site to take photographs of! LB.
N.B. When I first saw this picture of trees, shrubs & wildflowers, I thought it looked like Heaven.
(When I saw what the Permaculture Organisation was doing, I realised that this was also totally viable here on Earth. Please look through some of the film documentaries of their work embedded here on the website, especially "Greening the Desert, II" on: http://www.eco-designs.net/the-ark-water-project.html)
The Tree Ark Project:
(Original scheme is designed to be non-site specific, and ultimately replicable.)
Global Ark Projects’ exemplar of sustainable design. A rural regenerative, sustainable community living project, which proposes to include:
(Dependent upon the size of the site, there may be the potential to proportionally sub-divide the housing between "affordable eco-housing in perpetuity" - and - eco-housing for a Co-Housing community looking to own their own homes on site.)
Hard Landscaping will consist of:
On-site community enterprises including:
To date, this community is formed of ten families, all of whom will benefit by the affordable, low-impact eco-housing which will be provided once support has been granted.
The original woodland plot has been lost, and we are currently seeking an alternative site.
While the aim of this community meets governmental and planning guidelines, it is hoped that land will be forthcoming soon.
The information centre on site will provide a lecture hall which will hold:
Combining these links with those of local schools and youth groups, we will establish an opportunity for all to put forward suggestions, designs and prototypes.
The viability of the sustainable designs and prototypes as submitted, will be decided by:
The project will also act as a showroom/showcase, and be accessible both by visiting the Information and Education centre on site, running parallel to the website.
Information as above detailed plus listings to suppliers of sustainable products - from gadgets and gizmos to cars or planes - from alternative energies - ecological paints, rainwater harvesting and sustainable insulations as used in the constructions on site and could potentially be sold from site on a commission basis - to order and not from stock. (Website links to suppliers through The Ark Directory - with net profits re-distributed in support of further regenerative, sustainable community living projects.)
The Tree Ark Project’s income will come from:
The landowner/s (e.g. Community Land Trust), and to Global Ark Projects for re-distribution to support:
(Original scheme is designed to be non-site specific, and ultimately replicable.)
Global Ark Projects’ exemplar of sustainable design. A rural regenerative, sustainable community living project, which proposes to include:
- Showrooms & Show-Houses as a 'showcase' community
- entrance/visitor information and educational resource centre, with lecture room and showroom of sustainable materials and products, and the Ark Portal of Innovations with interactive whiteboards streaming all the environmental/ecological/sustainable/humanitarian links formed through the website, visiting lectures, college courses etc; incorporating:
- eco-designs office with designs for eco-homes for sale "off the shelf" - with support at each stage of the design and build process
- on-site eco-construction practical courses run by local college
- sustainable design and energy consultants
- coffee/tea room and cafe - organic, locally grown and sourced
- guides/maps - and toilets
- tricycles/wheelchairs and other mobility aids for use on site (suspension and mud wheels/tyres)
- Disabled visitors & coaches parking
- residents parking – isolated from the housing
- possible conference rooms with catering facilities
- (and team-building days - subject to demand)
- art therapy - art for sale/exhibitions - made on site and via networking circles and the local communities
- business incubation units (local fair-trade)
- local museum or other point of interest - including horse-drawn carriages - a bonus for children & saving on carbon/car park facilities
- natural dye centre
- local farm shop/s
- local fishing lakes
- land infill site
- bus links
- bicycle hire - bus-cycles and other alternative forms of transport from a designated parking area to the site
- Conservation centre
- Approximately 12 dwellings - number dependant upon size of plot, (constructed from materials on site and outlying area - so far as feasible) - see update/s for more details
- Straw bale, lime, timber, mud, hemp, sheep's wool, recycled newspaper, etc.
- materials/suppliers links and possible sponsorship
- new p.v. generation testing - and other green build materials - alternative energies
- using recycled materials where possible from landfill - possible methane use from land infill
- peat composting toilets
- rainwater harvesting
- grey water harvesting
(Dependent upon the size of the site, there may be the potential to proportionally sub-divide the housing between "affordable eco-housing in perpetuity" - and - eco-housing for a Co-Housing community looking to own their own homes on site.)
Hard Landscaping will consist of:
- raised timber platforms linked to trees (if woodland plot)
- buildings/houses built up from platform/s base
- ramps and walkways over boggy ground and above ground habitats (nurturing the biodiversity)
- allowing safe access for all
- permeable hard standing for accessibility pathways
On-site community enterprises including:
- self-sufficient organic food production/growing area - sales of surplus through the cafe or shop
- chickens/goats/sheep/rabbits/etc
- spinning and weaving - natural dyes (the woad) - clothing production - shop sales & business incubation units
- tepee making lessons - cob building lessons - whittling/sculpting
- folk music and storytelling
- obstacle course - rope swings - team building (site dependant)
- wildlife/wildflowers/ecology - peat composting toilets
- fresh water shrimping/pond dipping
- hazel/willow structures and sculpting around a woodland walk
- coppicing and charcoal burning
- Eco-Tourism
To date, this community is formed of ten families, all of whom will benefit by the affordable, low-impact eco-housing which will be provided once support has been granted.
The original woodland plot has been lost, and we are currently seeking an alternative site.
While the aim of this community meets governmental and planning guidelines, it is hoped that land will be forthcoming soon.
The information centre on site will provide a lecture hall which will hold:
- Universities and Colleges - lectures, talks, demonstrations & illustrations
- Environmental Agencies - providing similar levels of information
- Woodland Organisations - giving talks and demonstrations
- Other organisations willing to share their research and information
Combining these links with those of local schools and youth groups, we will establish an opportunity for all to put forward suggestions, designs and prototypes.
The viability of the sustainable designs and prototypes as submitted, will be decided by:
- Ark membership
- Local Universities
- Businesses (Environmental & Ethical) listed in The Ark Directory
The project will also act as a showroom/showcase, and be accessible both by visiting the Information and Education centre on site, running parallel to the website.
Information as above detailed plus listings to suppliers of sustainable products - from gadgets and gizmos to cars or planes - from alternative energies - ecological paints, rainwater harvesting and sustainable insulations as used in the constructions on site and could potentially be sold from site on a commission basis - to order and not from stock. (Website links to suppliers through The Ark Directory - with net profits re-distributed in support of further regenerative, sustainable community living projects.)
The Tree Ark Project’s income will come from:
- An Eco-Trading Outlet
- % commissions from site sales (from above list)
- Suppliers to guarantee full support - and supply to demand - reliably and with good value.
- Support of project - equipment use, on/off site (feedback on trial use) - controlled conditions
- Cars - electric, hydrogen, air compression etc + any other alternatives
- Heating Systems - renewable
- Windows - removable
- Electric systems - removable
- Power/heat/plumbing - removable
- Sponsorship for design submissions
The landowner/s (e.g. Community Land Trust), and to Global Ark Projects for re-distribution to support:
- The Ark Communities Project - supporting the start-up of other regenerative community living projects, offering affordable eco-homes to those willing to work on Earth regeneration & restoration projects
- The Ark Water Project - supporting "Water-4-ALL" projects
- The Ark Portal of Innovation - supporting "Education-4-ALL" projects
- The charities and institutions supporting the education/information centre
N.B.
The spreadsheets (below) were produced/drafted when asked by those in authority, to give an example of a business plan for (A) site - without having any site to base the figures upon, nor the number of householders, or the passing trade. Feedback to-date has been positive.
The spreadsheets (below) were produced/drafted when asked by those in authority, to give an example of a business plan for (A) site - without having any site to base the figures upon, nor the number of householders, or the passing trade. Feedback to-date has been positive.
