Greenhouse Living is Cool – But it Has Drawbacks
It’s Winter in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, but inside the greenhouse, it’s beautifully warm.
The experimental greenhouse home is eco friendly, sustainable and off grid – a dream for many people, including its occupants, Helly Scholten and her family.
This groundbreaking project completely uprooted the Scholten family when they volunteered for greenhouse living for a period of 3 years.
Key Features
The student-driven concept home boasts the following green and eco friendly features which are kind to the environment:
- A large vegetable garden on the roof, which supplies the family with more than enough produce.
- The living roof also helps to insulate the home and cuts heating costs.
- A 1.7 inch thick loam stucco lines the interior walls to retain heat in warmer months and disperse it when it gets cold.
- The glass windows on the roof are also angled towards the sun, a simple design that makes a huge impact on the home’s internal temperature.
Everywhere you look in the home, there are living plants – you can see more photos on Instagram here.
Responsibility
The house, with so much going on, needs constant maintenance – there are plants to be watered and fed, weeding and harvesting to be done, and much more.
The first time the family went away on holiday, they learnt that greenhouse living entails responsibility. On their return, many of their plants had died.
But for Scholten and her family, these are minor sacrifices that are outweighed by the spectacular design and functionality of the home. She sees greenhouse living as the perfect compromise between nature and society.
Her kids agree, enjoying the swings and hammocks that hang beneath the floral interior.
The family started their greenhouse living in June 2015 and will stay in their novel home until 2018, at which point they will have the option to buy it—as will anyone else who’s interested.
The home will be released on the market for half-a-million dollars, either available in its current location, or movable to the buyer’s preferred location.
The family says they can’t imagine ever moving back to a traditional home.
(All photos taken by hellyscholten.com)
Do you think you could live in a greenhouse? Let me know in the Comments below.
And spread the word about greenhouse living – it may just become the norm instead of a novelty! (Quick sharing buttons below and right).
Warm regards,
I think it’s a grand idea. Not a lot of privacy with no doors or walls but I guess that’s a small price to pay. Curtains afford a little. Would not want to clean all that glass and wonder about storms breaking it but I like the idea of greenhouse living. We’ve got to do something. We are jammed together in this neighborhood so tight I can almost see into my neighbors home. They always keep their curtains and windows closed. I use shades for some privacy but lack of walls could be hard. Very interesting concept.
I love how you’ve thought things through, and pointed out the problems as well as the pros of greenhouse living. It looks as though privacy isn’t too big an issue there unlike many other areas, but the lack of walls inside would indeed be a problem – yes, a lovely open space, but I think it would be difficult with children. I hadn’t thought about cleaning all that glass – that would certainly be a real mission! But all that lovely light streaming in would be wonderful. Thanks Marlene!
I saw this story a while back and thought it was a great idea. In my teens there was a large greenhouse that was for sale and I thought often of how it would be a lovely home, if only in a better climate. Learning this would work in a cold climate is great news and I’d love to be able to garden year round and feel I was outside the solid walls of my house where winter doldrums settle in after a while.
I think you’re right Lois, it’s interesting how greenhouse living is now shown to work in a cold climate. A mixture of new technology, and going back to “old-fashioned” methods of clever house design including using the sun to advantage. It would indeed be wonderful to be able to garden year round, and harvest fresh vegetables continuously. And yes, to let the outside in, without any discomfort – far nicer than being stuck indoors. I’m sure the basic concepts will be improved upon as it becomes more common, but it’s a really super idea, and could definitely help with the winter blues. Thanks Lois!
[…] Tip: Of course, you can also grow your own, for incredibly fresh produce. You don’t need a big garden – download my free guide to Windowsill Gardening here! Related: Would YOU live in a Greenhouse? This Family Does! […]