Constructing even the greenest building requires a great deal of energy and produces a lot of waste. Australian architectural firm Andrew Maynard Architects suggests a rather elegant solution to this unavoidable dilemma:
The mechanics are simple: a semi-circular frame -- think Quonset hut -- is made from two layers of polypropylene bags. The interior layer is filled with water and connected to the house's appliances and a treatment system. Over the years, the water is repeatedly used for toilet duties and sterilized, while waste is pumped into the outer layer. By the time the interior layer is drained, the second layer is solid.
Okay, before you email the folks at Maynard and tell them how crazy they are -- or, heaven forbid, ask them to make you a poop house -- take notice of the project's fine print: it's tongue-in-cheek, a fairy tale.
The tale is intended to highlight Australia's wasteful habits: despite the continent's aridity and reliance on water-intensive industries, water is infrequently recycled.
But there's no reason it couldn't actually work....
Wired talks about enviro-friendly trash homes here, and about recycling water in space here and here.
Poop House: An AMA Fairy Tale [Andrew Maynard Architects]
Image: Andrew Maynard Architects
