Motivations
My first motivation is my Christian faith; my belief that the world
belongs to God, and that includes my house. My husband and I have always
been concerned about climate change and the environment. After he died I
felt my house was too large for one. By selling it and buying something
cheaper and smaller I had cash to spare to make it suitable for growing
old, and as green as possible. Most innovative green building is new. I
challenged an architect to see what could be done with a very ordinary
1958 semi. I want to challenge ordinary people to do as much as each
can.
Inspirations
I used what I knew about green building etc. from reading the Guardian
and made a list of what I wanted: good insulation, timber construction
for an extension, excellent wood framed double glazing, solar panels,
rainwater harvesting, wind turbine were the main things. The Architect
(Alastair Binnie) did the research and suggested other features such as
organic paint and recycled paving stones.
Challenges
Being patient during the months when research was going on. Accepting
that craftsmen were doing unfamiliar things and therefore had extra
problems. The benefit to other people is that there are now plumbers,
carpenters, electricians etc. who do know how to install all the new
things.
Favourite feature
I did not know the timber extension and its cedar roof would be so
beautiful! The new downstairs toilet with a shower spacious enough for a
chair also pleases me very much.
What, to you, is the biggest opportunity that climate change presents?
An opportunity to rethink how we live and use resources, and perhaps
rediscover how effective some old ways of doing things really are. For
instance, I have an airing rack instead of a tumble dryer, and am most
impressed by how well my clothes dry on it.
One word about how you feel about climate change?
Worried enough to do all I can.
What are you doing next?
Recovering from the great effort it has been! Then I hope to show groups
of people round, including students. People who are seriously interested
can get information from me about materials and techniques so that my
research does not have to be repeated.
End words
Some people are daunted by how much I have done and say they could not
possible do the same as they do not have the money. But in one sense
every one can do what I have done: I saw an opportunity (in my case a
big one, but also a difficult and challenging one for a new widow in her
70's) and made full use of it. If everyone used their opportunities,
from changing light bulbs, putting insulation under the floor if it has
to come up for rewiring, decorating with organic paint, using timber
rather than bricks and tiles for an extension, recycled pavers for a
patio etc. it would make a real difference. It is satisfying too.
Further information
Information about the renovation, and plenty of pictures of the work in
progress, can be seen at: http://www.sageoxford.org.uk/ecohouse.htm
