The two ecologic aspects we are focusing on:

We see a house like a small power plant. According to the climate where it will be build, it needs to capture the sun to warm it up, or to provide a fresh and shady inside. So the orientation in relation of the sun is the first objective. For the mainly rough climate of the Bolivian highlands, we gathered experience in thermic insulation of walls and ceilings. We use solar panels to heat the water, apart from heating the ambiences hot water represents the highest use of energy.

The second ecologic aspect we believe to be important is the use of building material that the surroundings or sometimes even the same building ground offers. These can be stone, wood and earth for mud brick, as in Bolivia there is still a strong tradition of its workmanship. Using these kinds of materials we reduce the ecologic impact of building since they don’t require the use of fossil energy (no fabrication, no transportation). Employing what’s nearby helps us also to give character to a house and generally reduces the cost of building. At the same time we are not against the use of manmade materials such as iron, cement brick polystyrene and others, unless they could mean a health risk to the people inhabiting the houses.