Impressive 100-Mile House Built with Sustainable & Reclaimed Materials - Green Building
Вставка
- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Have you heard of the 100-mile diet? This is the 100-mile house! The goal with this build was to source and salvage as many materials as possible from within a 100-mile radius to reduce the carbon emissions associated with transporting building materials, to re-use materials in order to reduce the environmental impact of building with new materials, and finally, to support local builders and craftspeople by paying them a fair wage for their work.
Briony Penn is a well-known artist, writer, naturalist, and educator. She has been working in the field of conservation for 40 years through her work as a lecturer at UVic, as the author of several books, and with over 500 published articles on environmental issues.
You can find out more about Briony, her art, and her writing here:
www.brionypenn...
Of course, when an opportunity came up for Briony to build a home, she took the responsibility very seriously. The 100-mile house idea was a way to help her reduce the impact of building her home. She built with the smallest footprint possible (within municipal regulations) with approx. 1000 square feet of living space and she shares the land with her sister who also built a small home next door. Together they share the driveway, well, septic, and electricity, and they also protected the rest of the 5-acre property since it is a biodiverse area with several species of endangered wildflowers found there.
Of course it was impossible to source absolutely everything from within 100 miles, but Briony and her team of builders did an impressive job with this green building! They sourced recycled insulation and they salvaged slate shingles, wood floors, wainscotting, sinks and bathtubs, and even worked with a salvage tug boat to retrieve and mill logs that constantly wash up on the BC shoreline. To reduce the impact of the concrete they had to use in the foundation slab, they worked with a concrete specialist to come up with a mix that would include fly ash, which is a by-product from coal and steam plants.
We found Briony's 100-mile house to be a timely and important reminder that we as consumers have a big say in the materials that are used to build our homes. And we can choose to build smaller, and with quality materials that will last.
Thank you so much for watching!
Mat & Danielle
-------------------------------------------------------------
STAY IN TOUCH!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Blog: www.exploringalternatives.ca
Facebook: /exploringalternativesblog
Instagram: @exploringalternatives
-------------------------------------------------------------
COMMENTS
-------------------------------------------------------------
We want our channel and our comments section to be an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome to watch and to contribute. For this reason, comments that are inappropriate or hateful will be reported and/or deleted.
Please discuss and debate with respect, and report inappropriate or hateful comments directly to UA-cam.
-------------------------------------------------------------
SUBTITLES AND CLOSED CAPTIONS
-------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you to our subtitle and closed captions contributors!
If you would like to contribute subtitles or closed captions to an Exploring Alternatives video, please click here to see which ones need your help:
www.youtube.com...
-------------------------------------------------------------
SPONSORS
-------------------------------------------------------------
We occasionally include paid sponsor messages/integrations in our videos to help fund the channel. We do our best to work with companies and organizations that offer products or services that are in line with our values, and that we think would be interesting and useful to you, our viewers.
We will always disclose if we’re promoting products that were given to us for free, or if we’re including a sponsored message in a video.
For business or sponsorship inquiries, please email us at danielle.is.exploring@gmail.com
-------------------------------------------------------------
CREDITS
-------------------------------------------------------------
Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.
Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives
Filming Credits:
Mat of Exploring Alternatives
Thank you all for watching :) If you'd like to learn more about Briony, her art, and her books, you can check out her website here: www.brionypenn.com/
In Australia developers demolish 100 year houses to replace them with 20 year dwellings and seldom reclaim the materials because it is not cost effective. We have lost a lot of beautiful architecture some of which had been listed by the National Trust.
Is this in the States or in Equador?...its very beautiful
Your woodstove is by FAR one of the most inefficient that has ever been designed. You are a hypocrite.
This looks like the most comfortable house ever.
Agreed
no because floors.
You have good taste and I agree!!!
100% agreed!
it looks like someone actually lives there
For 1000 sq feet, it gives the impression of looking like a mansion. Very nice home.
Dan Bratu it’s gotta be bigger than that because my house is 780 and it’s tiny compared to this but I agree this house looks huge inside with the open plan and second floor loft
I question the sq footage at 1000. I grew up in a 900 sq ft house, so I know the sq ft size feeling pretty well. With the second floor, it's doubtful.
I’m in awe of the thoughtful process that built this home.
I really love the producers put the people in the story up front -- allowing them to tell the story with minimal editorial. Brilliant!
Incredible explanation by this woman and such a beautiful home!! She is 100 percent correct in saying when you build smaller, you can build with integrity not quantity. I love the use of salvaged and recycled materials. Very inspirational.
Salt Spring Island is a truly beautiful special place. I live on the Sunshine Coast of BC on hwy 101. Near the beginning or end of it. Depending on how you look at in. There is really something very special about this part of the world. The palm trees, the giant first, cedar, pine and balsam trees. Oh and Arbutus trees are my favorite. I love finding broken off Arbutus branches after a storm, drying them out and using them in my home. There are so many logs on the beaches around here that could be salvaged if someone was so inclined. I think your home is incredible and I like how your personality and environment shine in your home. Thank you for sharing. From a fellow Canadian ~Jennifer 😊🇨🇦
I only wish we got a full tour of the gardens and the bedrooms too! I think this might be my dream house tbh
That is such a lovely house! I hope you inspire more people to live more sustainably. We only have finite resources, and with the changing environment and increasing population, these resources are depleting more rapidly. With your 100 mile idea, you not only lessen your carbon footprint but also saved a lot of valuable resources by reusing salvaged materials that would just end up in landfills. It is really remarkable how you incorporate all these reclaimed materials into your home.
I loved the walls that absorbed the heat and keep the house warm. So much money and energy saving.
Very pretty home, it feels warm and cozy! It gives a peaceful vibe.
This isn't a house. It's a HOME! I'd love to get the blueprints for this lovely home. I have watched about 1000+ videos on living "tiny" and eco-friendly and this is the only house I'd want to live in.
Now that's an aesthetically pleasing, green and sustainable house 100%🏡👏👏👏👏
After watching many of these videos over the years I find that artistic folks make the most awe inspiring homes, tiny or not.
Some are commenting that anything is possible with money. Newsflash: no great work is possible without a vision! Kudos to this women for inspiring me on my journey!
Her vision and the fact that she can articulate it and make money and allies and like minded people brought her this . I didn't here her say it was all handed to her. Briony apparently is lovely enough to inspire collaborations. She said she got some support from family. I guess we aren't all blessed with loving generous families. But no one can blame her for that.
What a gorgeous, cozy, character-filled space! A great pleasure for the eyes and also the soul. Thank you for this!
I really like the mix of wood and plaster in the interior. Just plain wood walls would be boring. This is a beautiful house, and she is a very soft spoken lady.
This looks like a perfect home for quarantine, it looks so cosy I wouldn't want to leave it anyway.
Im literally crying- how amazing she is!!! i love how she loves our Mother 🌹beautiful home too☺
I can truthfully say that I could live in this house for the rest of my life. It's paradise.
Such a cozy home. I remember people putting water recyclers in their houses quite a few years ago. Salvaging and recycling is the way to go. The wood in some old houses is stronger than the wood today.
This is probably my most favorite house.
Your videos are SOOOO inspiring, EA. Thank you for demonstrating what is possible via your content.
I'm not sure these kinds of people can change the world but for sure they change their world.
Wonderful people☮️
Absolutely beautiful conventional house, which is what everyone REALLY wants when it comes down to it.
I can’t even!😍. The wood work is amazing! And her view from the windows! Her and her family are certainly living the dream. I’m in awe of the whole setup.
This is an amazing house with an awesome feel, and a very pleasant look as well.....God has truly blessed you.....
This is such a beautiful home. I love all the wood and the textures and colours inside. It looks so cosy and warm inside.
This house is such a dream. There are so many details I love. The softness of the walls, the earth pigments, the slate roof. Gorgeous!
What a gorgeous woman, respecting the Earth is priority.
Respect 🌿
I plan on doing this. I hope i can find someone as lovely as her. I work in a trade. Saving now to buy property.
This is such a beautiful home. I'm very jealous!!! 😊
Such a wise & wonderful woman, she adapted the 100-mile idea to build a nature respecting home which was inspired by her child's fondest memories.
She's absolutely right about us needing to learn from nature too.
I love this house I love how she reused everything.
Absolutely amazing. Beautiful home .
Another lovely home. I think the idea of building smaller but with greater quality is fantastic as well. I'm sick of seeing cookie cutter houses that are 2,000+ square feet and lack warmth and originality.
Amen. 🙌
Then dont buy one but let others do their own thing.
I thought this house was pretty large
@@carlindurfee7566 I agree that it's not a tiny house, it's a good sized home. I was simply stating it does have more character in my opinion than many homes whose only defining selling point is a large footprint.
@Arya Stark Ok so what do you live in? Do you drive a car? We all pollute the world including you.
Wow! What an inviting, comfortable and thoughtfully made home.
Stunning home in a stunning environment.
Amazing! Very cozy house! 🤗🌱
What a cosy house with so much character. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Jeff :)
This is amazing! She is also very well spoken.
This is a very interesting concept. Love the cabin feeling that the house has. Very warm and welcoming ❤️
I can definitely recognize BC weather, liquid sunshine.
BC weather ? I really got a term to give a name or call the chilly, calm , bookie environment . .
@@adnanibnemannan I had to check the meaning of "Bookie" and I am still not sure what it means 😅
Don't you create words everyday while expressing ?
The perfect French with Dylane ::: I think he’s referring to her collection of books?
@@adnanibnemannan gotcha!
Beautiful home and art!
Stunning house and great concept.
Love the house! Her voice is so soothing.
This house is so beautiful!!!! Love the philosophy behind it!!
What an incredible video, thanks for sharing this story!! There is so much that we can all do to increase the 'joy' of our home... but by increasing your independence of locally made product and craftsman is something we should all be thinking about!!
She did an amazing job. This is a beautiful space, and inspiring yo hear the stories behind roof slats and flooring, and seeing old sinks and tubs reused. And her artwork is beautiful. I'll have to also chrck out her website and look up her books. Thanks for including that!💝💝💝
I loved the outer structures of the house
Your idea and follow thru is wonderful.
Thanks for being deeply human.
...yes, I'm that person that clicks "thumbs up" before watching ...it says so much about y'all that y'all seem to attract/find wonderful people/content all the time...consistently...so ty for this epic vid...
Fantastic story-- beautiful home-- very inspiring! Thanks for this, all of you.
that is one of the warmest, most comfortable houses you've ever shown. there's something about cedar wood and rain on the west coast that appeals to me.
Her way of living is so beautiful
Absolutely stunning home and what a lovely lady. I am right with you with the quality over quantity.
Beautiful house and beautiful nature.. you are lucky
Thank you sharing your Amazing Home
Incredible! Congratulations in the great construction and a wonderful looking home too. God Bless, Sherry :)
I loved this video, this house, the 100 mile idea. All of it. So good.
Wow! This is pretty impressive indeed! Thanks for sharing👍👍👍❤️
I like the idea of using free/recycled material especially wood that holds up to the local weather. Very nice setting in the woods. My brother plans to build his own home within the next couple of years. And I am sending him any information about homes being built in this manner. It still takes a lot of planning to build a home such as this one. It does have so much history with the different types of wood she has in her home. I always like the idea of using the main house as a community coming together to share meals with friends and tenants and family members of course! I love the slate roof with the different dimensions of the roof. I couldn’t tell if there was a door or curtain for the bathroom but I certainly would want some kind of closing for this area for privacy. Otherwise it’s done quite nicely 👍❤️
I really don't find this small. I think it's spacious and just wonderful❤
This home is amazingly beautiful!
I love everything about this place
Truly a beautiful home and I definitely resonated with all she had to say
Admirable. How many of us can afford such quality? The land alone must have been expensive. I think it would be good to include costs withany project. Tx, Rich
This house is stunning! I’m inspired...and love the concept of 100 mile housing.
Man this is the embodiment of love
such a beautiful home. My wife is jealous of the bookshelves throughout.
what a beautiful home and message. i hope to be able to do something like this one day!
This was a wonderful teachable video thank you for sharing your beautiful home
Beautiful house.
Hi, I love this idea and i'm trying to find/build a community in Québec with like minded people.
I already build furniture and sheds with recycled materials and pallets. I love people with these values!!! Thanks for sharing!
BEAUTIFUL HOME.
Beautiful home and story!
Talk about a beautifull House with a Spectacular Space ! I just love how it's open and flows effortlessly throughtout the entire home. I love the Forest and the whole outdoor space around the home. This is truly my quint essential desire in life to own such Space and call home myself. A blessed journey to the home owner and all the family members who have the ability to use this space ,use it well and love where you are now. Nothing esle is comparable to this with all these Over size so called concrete Mansions today that don't have any sense of family and home, they are built like Warehouses with useless wasted spaces just to show off how big your wallet is. Blessings !!
So lovely. I would of loved to see this project from the beginning to the end. Learning things like finding Cedar logs on the Beach. 🌻
WOW, They are living the dream. I love that place. My dream also.
Those floors are very blessed
What a lovely home and way of life. 💐 thank you for the link to her art and books as well.
Beauriful house 👏👏👏👍
Wonderful and interesting!
I love rooms without borders of doors!
Thanks for sharing!
Incredibly awesome. I want to live there.
Great job. Beautiful home.
Absolutely Stunning!
absolutely beautiful. what a fantastic vibe.
mind blown. this is so beautiful
Now this was truly great. Thanks for sharing.
What a beautiful house
Excellent!
The best of Canada....woman, home, land, nature...
Oh MY! Beautiful house, beautiful woman!
so beautiful architecture.....i like it
Very Beautiful House
WOW! Mam you have a beautiful home.
i like that canoe with people paddling to same direction. like star trek voyager crew all doing tasks to get back home
A very impressive build, all of you did an amazing job! Things like this inspire me, thank you all for sharing this :)
That is a giant house!
It’s 1000 square feet so definitely bigger than the tiny houses we usually feature. In a lot of places in Canada this seems to be the smallest size that you can legally build. Thanks so much for watching!!
Exploring Alternatives but she also had 2 tiny houses? Would’ve been cool to see those too... but great video!
House upon many stories 💚
i just finished my sustainable in construction and this is the best example of our topic which i deeply inlove with the way how it work.
Fantastic way to build , looks great .