Our goal is to develop a self-sufficient house using simple and proven technologies based on physical laws that are affordable and low-maintenance. From the very beginning, we aimed to create a simple construction system that allows people to build their own house with the help of friends, at minimal cost, and within just a few days. The plastic-sand composite—a material made from recycled waste—has opened up new possibilities for us while simultaneously addressing the issue of plastic waste recycling.
The house will be low-maintenance, resistant to water and other climatic conditions. Since the entire system is interconnected and the material used is tough with high resistance to mechanical stress, it is also suitable for seismic areas. No water is needed for construction, and the entire assembly process is carried out without wet processes.
No hard labor, just fun…
We have focused on making the assembly process as simple as possible so that building a house feels more like fun rather than hard work. Therefore, the individual construction elements are designed in a way that eliminates the need for special construction equipment, and everything intuitively fits together. The system is designed down to the last detail, so even installing windows and doors can be done safely by anyone following the instructions.
We say that building this house will only require:
– a hammer
– a saw
– a cordless drill
– friends
– good vibes
– a bottle opener for beer and a pizza cutter
Furthermore, we want to involve the community—everyone who enjoys creating and designing.
That’s why we started working on a configurator that will allow anyone to design their dream house. It will enable users to plan and calculate everything down to the last screw, including pipes, cable lengths, and other elements included in the design. This way, the builder can save money by preparing waste pipes and electrical wiring precisely according to the plan while leaving the actual connections to a professional.
The configurator will be able to generate drawings and step-by-step instructions, which, along with other documents, can be used for obtaining a building permit if needed. There will also be a selection of projects that won’t require a building permit. In such cases, everything can be ordered from the e-shop, and construction can begin immediately.
We believe that over time, our website will develop into a complete catalog of interesting ideas that creators will want to share with others. We would like to offer a way for creators to receive a reward for their ideas. Therefore, these complete designs, including plans and documentation, will be available for download for a symbolic fee.
The plastic-sand composite, from which the individual construction elements are made, has unique properties that in many ways surpass concrete.Most traditional construction materials based on cement tend to absorb moisture, are brittle, and are prone to impacts and extreme mechanical stress. Once the joints between cement-based construction elements are compromised (for example, through cracks), the structural stability of the entire building can be significantly affected, making repairs very complex and costly.
In the plastic-sand composite, cement is replaced by recycled polymer, which coats individual sand grains and binds them into a solid unit under high pressure. The result is an extremely strong, non-flammable material with high resistance to bending, impact, and compression. It does not chip or crack. Additionally, the polymer prevents water and moisture penetration and acts as an effective thermal insulator.
We also aimed to simplify the installation of thermal insulation so that anyone could do it while ensuring that the insulating layer is protected from mechanical damage.
Therefore, we opted for loose-fill insulation, which is simply poured into the technical cavity of the outer wall. This cavity has a width of 250 mm. By filling this gap, we achieve superior thermal insulation that is safeguarded against weather conditions and mechanical damage.
As land prices continue to rise, we explored ways to preserve space for leisure and relaxation while still enabling the cultivation of healthy food.
Thanks to the unique properties of the material used in the construction system, we can grow food directly on the façade of the house. The material is resistant to acids, mold, water, and the impact of plant roots growing on the façade. At the same time, the plants create a microclimate that prevents overheating and excessive cooling of the building’s outer layer, as well as other climatic effects.
People will be able to use a modular system that can be easily attached to the façade and just as easily removed after the growing season, with technical openings being covered afterward. This system can also be applied to fencing around the property.
Growing healthy food naturally includes fertilization and plant protection.
We are developing built-in small vermireactors, where organic waste (remnants of certain food types, plants, fruits, vegetables, grass, etc.) is quickly converted into a universal biofertilizer and protective spray. The entire process is facilitated by worms that break down the waste and add unique enzymes that increase soil fertility by up to 30% compared to regular compost. These enzymes enhance the availability of minerals already present in the soil. While the standard mineral utilization rate in soil is 40–50%, with the enzymes from vermicompost, it rises to 80–90%.
A granulated substrate is created, which can be directly added to plants. Since it is a purely natural fertilizer, there is no risk of over-application.
A self-sufficient house also includes energy and its regulation. Various types of energy and heat sources can be utilized within the house. From an ecological perspective, options include wood, wood chips, and pellet boilers, air conditioning, heat recovery systems, heat pumps combined with photovoltaics, and other alternatives. Additionally, a small modular biogas unit designed for residential homes can be used to provide gas for cooking. Biogas is generated through fermentation of food scraps and garden waste. For example, 2 kg of waste can produce enough gas for approximately 2 hours of cooking.
For our homes, we plan to utilize residual heat for heating in combination with ventilation, without the need for an external heat source, using time-tested principles such as the Canadian well, Trombe wall, and various shading and evaporation systems. The Canadian well also allows for cooling the exchanged air. These methods are based on the laws of physics, and in the case of the Trombe wall, no electricity is required, as the movement of warm air and the intake of cool air occur automatically due to the natural convection of warm air.
The Canadian well utilizes the constant temperature of the subsoil at a depth of approximately 2 meters. At this depth, the temperature (depending on the season and location) remains in the range of 13°C to 20°C.The heat exchanger consists of a simple grid of interconnected PVC pipes placed at a depth of 2 meters and then covered with soil. The exchanger is installed with a 2% slope to allow for the drainage of any condensate. The intake opening is positioned above ground and fitted with a filter to prevent the entry of dirt and insects. The outlet inside the house is equipped with a fan that brings fresh air into the home, which, as it passes through the exchanger, either warms up or cools down depending on the surrounding temperature. The fan can be powered during the day using photovoltaic panels.
In a Trombe wall, we utilize solar heating through a glass wall, where air is heated and naturally flows into the room. The cold air, which remains near the floor, is drawn in by negative pressure and flows under the floor towards the Trombe wall.
To enhance efficiency, dark stones are added to the Trombe wall space, increasing the temperature and storing heat. If sunlight is temporarily unavailable, the stones release the stored heat, allowing the air heating process to continue. The Trombe wall comes in different variations depending on the need for regulation and interior possibilities.
This simple system can significantly reduce the amount of energy that would otherwise need to be purchased.
The entire system can be complemented by storing excess heat in the ground beneath the house. Warm air, which accumulates near the ceiling and is often expelled through ventilation or air conditioning, can instead be directed into a grid of PVC pipes embedded in the ground under the house. The fan can be powered by photovoltaic panels. The warm air transfers its energy to the ground, cools down, and then returns to the room. In the evening, this stored energy can be utilized as comfortably warm air flowing from the vents. However, in this case, heat losses must be taken into account.
By using an earth berm along with the previously mentioned combinations, it is possible to save up to 85% of the energy needed for heating and ventilation.
Next, we will focus on water management in a self-sufficient house:
• Solar distillation and drinking water production
• Filtration
• Heating
• Recovering heat from wastewater
• Water recycling and greywater utilization
