I have a new project. (Well there’s something new!) In the next little bit, in the next six to eighteen months perhaps, we’ll most likely begin building a house. Moshe and I have spent most of our married life living in one of two “one-day-we’ll-renovate-and-have-our-dream-home” houses that we’ve owned, or in rented houses or flats (apartments). Now, we don’t know exactly when we’ll be able to get serious about building, or if it’ll turn out that we just won’t be able to build, in which case we’ll need to consider alternatives such as buying and renovating, or simply buying. Or possibly, just renovating our current house. Doesn’t matter though, I’m on a mission to create a plan for building (or renovating as a backup) our own sustainable, green house. And all within our budget. According to one of my daughters, that could be a major problem. Turns out that the current conversation about building sustainable houses is that they cost a whole lot more than a regular house, and people’s budgets consistently get blown out.

So, my game is to see if I can do this without blowing the budget. I’m sure I’m not the first or last person to want to do this, but let’s see how I go. First thing I need to do is get really well-educated about this subject. I’ve watched the odd TV show here and there over the years about the amazing homes people have built, but I really don’t have any knowledge that’s of value to me in terms of building my house. So, this is the place to begin. Get educated.

I joined Shmeco, a site where people are invited to “exchange their ideas, stories and experience on sustainable living choices”. I found a bunch of Australian websites and blogs that I bookmarked and subscribed to, as well as Inhabitat, which isn’t Australian, but is so inspiring, and Michael Mobbs | Sustainable Projects. I bought a one-year online subscription to Green, and I’m investigating participating in the Sustainable House Day on 11th September.

Here are some images of eco-friendly/sustainable houses that I find interesting:

More updates on this project as news breaks