Sky - Development for homeowners off the grid

[Pirate]

The thread should die because you think a solar powered cart won't go 50 miles and the project might die?

I know there will be a slight problem getting groceries in the middle of nowhere.

 

[GoodWitch58]

are there houses built of this in this area?

 

[TheSheep]

I know there will be a slight problem getting groceries in the middle of nowhere.

Considering people live in the "middle of nowhere" all over the U.S., I know this is a non-issue.

 

[GoodWitch58]

There are at least 2 built in Rosemary Beach, but you can't distinguish them from the outside. It's only my opinion which pobably isn't worth a bunch, but I believe it is the best form of masonry construction. I've seen an AAC block sliced to 1 inch thick, had a torch applied to one side and the temperature on the other side stayed at room temprature.

Some people say they wouldn't build a birdhouse in Walton County without Peter Horn from Artisan and he built 1 of the homes in Rosemary.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Miss Critter]

From the "Earth Lounge" thread, hear it tonight straight from the horse's mouth:

Tune in this Thursday evening from 5:00-6:00pm to 30A Radio for the Earth Lounge. Chandra will be the host this week and I'll be interviewing Bruce White and Julie Starr Sanford, co-creaters of Sky Development. We'll be discussing what Sky is about, how the vision came to be, and we'll also take a quick look at other eco-villages around the world. Please join us either locally on 107.1 FM or streaming worldwide at www.30aradio.org.

The Earth Lounge, celebrating our community’s journey toward natural sustainability is every Thursday from 5-6pm and features a different host each week. The Earth Lounge hosts are Christian Wagley, Chandra Hartman, Snookie Parish, Jenifer Kuntz and Arix Zalace.

 

[AAbsolute]

Sorry I missed it

Thanks MissCritter. I'm so sorry I didn't see your post till it was to late. Did they say how many units they have sold? How many buildings have een built so far? Thanks Again, JC

 

[Miss Critter]

We were out this evening, so I didn't get to hear the interview either. Maybe another sowaller can fill us in?

 

[Chandra]

Thanks MissCritter. I'm so sorry I didn't see your post till it was to late. Did they say how many units they have sold? How many buildings have een built so far? Thanks Again, JC

Unfortunately, I was bumbling around with all the buttons at the station that I was unable to record the show.

Thanks T! And thanks to Bruce, Julie, and Bo (Julie's intern) for the interview. We had a bumpy first few minutes as I was unfamiliar with the buttons to take call-ins, but we worked it out thanks to Leslie, the studio manager. I hope to have them back in the future for a follow-up show.

If you missed the interview, Bruce & Julie really went into detail about the vision for Sky, an environmentally styled, zero-energy development, surrounded by luscious orchards and gardens. I've visited the site and it's truly beautiful country and so cool that it was once a gladiolus farm. Gladiolus abound everywhere--in the fields, amongst the pine trees, and in multiple hues.

I could gush on, though you can read about it on their website, which I failed to mention last night, skyflorida.net

Bruce & Julie are top notch and though some may say their vision is unrealistic, I say their vision is timely and will serve as a model for another option of how we can live graciously, while reconnecting the human spirit to the natural world through the built environment.

They have not begun construction as they are still developing and refining the different components. They (the Sky team and partnerships) are researching and developing the best possible systems to create zero energy homes that incorporate their intended style and create the least impact on the environment. Seeing as how the building industry is one of the most offensive in terms of climate change and resource use, I gather that the Sky team is more concerned about quality of life, than slapping up some quick houses with a catchy theme.

Call me an idealist, but I think they are on the right track. Sky isn't for everyone. My gosh, one could say the same about the country, the city, living in a commune, or in a TND. I believe we are going to need to be as creative as possible when it comes to our future and living in a less energy intensive society. The important thing to keep in mind is that we will become more reliant on community and each other, so we better start creating the kind of communities that will sustain themselves and provide a better quality of life for all beings. I say bring on the visionaries, the idealists, the cultural creatives, and all those who are not afraid to stick their necks outs to bring the rest of us alternatives to the current status quo.

 

[AAbsolute]

How'd they get a grant from the 2006 Florida Energy Conservation Act

Can anyone in the know explain to me how SKY was awarded a $1,800,000.00 grant through the 2006 Florida Energy Conservation Act for a project that is still in the design phase in August 2008? I was just sure that I read that the first building to be built was the SKY Institute some time ago. Did they address this on the radio spot last night? I'm sorry I didn't get the post till after the radio show.

I'm really just trying to understand how all this works. There must be a lot of Florida tax payers that need assistance today.

 

[Chandra]

Please don't quote me as I'm not sure of the exact details. Yes, they were awarded the grant, though due to the time frame of the project, I believe the grant has gone back to the state and they will need to restart the process if they intend to try for the grant again. Who knows if that money will be there next year given that our congress seems intent on stripping the state of all incentives for renewable energies. Whether one believes in Sky or not, this is something we should all be fighting for because these grants and tax incentives drive innovation, in turn helping to make renewable energies a viable option for everyone. I do know that Sky is partnered with the Center for Advanced Power Systems to assist in developing their energy technology.