Sky - Development for homeowners off the grid

So anyhoo - does anyone think that the current gas prices and food scares/prices have created more of a demand for places like Sky or is it a crazy idea?

High density, planned communities will flourish due to ever-escalating oil prices, the move to sustainability, and the states who will continue to support (as they did Seaside) concepts which lower the infrastructure costs. It is a given; now whether Sky is the or a right development remains to be seen. They are cutting a new demographic model in many ways.

There is also confusion from the website, press releeases, etc Who does the farming? Will there be local water by well? Dozens of others (I may have missed a few of the answers).

My thoughts. This

http://www.atsltd.co.uk/media/pictures/

could be the revolutionizing transportation solving problem solver, er, solution.

Traditional neighborhoods are definitely the way to go - new studies are showing how living in them reduces your weight too, but if you're just using them as a new suburb design I think it defeats the purpose.

I think that affordable cars/vehicles w/ high mileage or that run on biofuels will be more of a solution than an expensive fixed transport device like that.

Traditional neighborhoods are definitely the way to go - new studies are showing how living in them reduces your weight too, but if you're just using them as a new suburb design I think it defeats the purpose.

I think that affordable cars/vehicles w/ high mileage or that run on biofuels will be more of a solution than an expensive fixed transport device like that.

The PRT systems, this one in particular, when planned into a new Xurban design, are the least expensive to operate considerng the cost of roads used heavily. The key is NOT to elevate them. The stations can be gridded to allow for no longer than a 1/4 mile max walk to each self-defined, one stop pod. Wait time is seconds, two minutes tops. Stops can be anywhere along any route such as individual store clusters, parks, schools, etc. 7.5 years of non tax abated passenger fares will pay the system off except ofr ongoing maintenance. If you replace buses and other forms of tax abated travel, tax abate the PRT, then the pax can travel for free or so cheaply that the PRT system is unbeatable.

Assuming this is true above, the impact is immense. People don't bike or walk great distances in hordes, 1/3 of the time weather is non permitting or invasive. Walk/bike systems have never been but partial answers and only for the ambulatory few. Retail will not allow anything else except near direct access.

I have no financial interest in PRT btw.

I am going to email Ms. Sanford and request a visit with her on the Sky site, I have interest and will report toward the mid-August moon the outcome of said visit.

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.

are there houses built of this in this area?

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Some posts have been deleted. Please keep the discussion on topic. Discussion of the license status of a particular individual is not in keeping with our rules, and not relevant.
Thanks!

Some posts have been deleted. Please keep the discussion on topic. Discussion of the license status of a particular individual is not in keeping with our rules, and not relevant.
Thanks!

The Forum rules are purposefully vague and rightly so. You should have the ability to arbiter as you desire. I, however, do not share the "thanks Kurt" opinions of the two posters who expressed as such.

Talk to the paw. :roll:

I found some construction photo's of the AAC

Thanks for the info.

I found some photo's of the house we built of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete in Rosemary Beach back before there was much going on there. I thought I'd share them if anyone wanted to see the product in use. Peter Horn also built a house like this back then, 1999.

I liked it because it provides R-Value (insulation) without the introduction of foam like the ICF construction. I think it probably is real wise to manufacture this product from an environmental stand point. It might work well in SKY.

I found some photo's of the house we built of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete in Rosemary Beach back before there was much going on there. I thought I'd share them if anyone wanted to see the product in use. Peter Horn also built a house like this back then, 1999.

I liked it because it provides R-Value (insulation) without the introduction of foam like the ICF construction. I think it probably is real wise to manufacture this product from an environmental stand point. It might work well in SKY.

What is the gross and net carbon footprint?

Sorry that I am not up to speed with the term "carbon footprint". I know the term, and want to conserve energy, but like 75% of all Americans I don't fully take advantage of all the options that are already right in front of me. I know that puts me behind the environmental curve.

I studied the product Aerated Autoclaved Concrete and visited a manufacturers facility before I used it the first time. I have also used a lot of conventional concrete which leaves very few practical methods to gain R-Value without thickening the exterior walls. As for the "carbon footprint" question, www.omnicrete.com states that this method of construction has the lowest short and long term "carbon footprint" of any building method. Looking at the product and handling the product, it appears to be logical. I hope it's true.

As for the "carbon footprint" question, www.omnicrete.com states that this method of construction has the lowest short and long term "carbon footprint" of any building method. Looking at the product and handling the product, it appears to be logical. I hope it's true.

I would use caution when interpretting said information. Their claims may be true, though compared to "any building method", probably unlike. It may be the lowest carbon footprint product in its technological class.

I'm a fan of AAC, though it's still comprised of concrete which contains some level of cement, which in turn is one of the highest embodied energy products known to man. The concrete may substitute a percentage of fly ash (coal burning by-product) for cement, though by its very nature, fly ash has a high carbon footprint.

I just checked the site to see the context of how they make this claim.

Carbon Footprint! The Omnicrete process leaves the least "carbon footprint" during it's construction process and for the occupants of the completed structure than ANY OTHER PROCESS ON THIS PLANET. If you are REALLY concerned with what man is doing to the enviroment then OMNICRETE is your ONLY choice; period!.

The key words I highlighted above. This means that the occupants (and the builders) will use less electricity through their use of the product. Less electricity = less coal burned = smaller carbon footprint.

I have not run a technical analysis of the entire life cycle of the product or the embodied energy of its different components, though my point is that claims may be made, but unless we look at all the parts and pieces, we may not get a complete picture. An appropriate building material depends on the region it will be used, the occupants using it, where and how it is manufactured, and how it will be disposed of after use, among other factors.

I think AAC is a great building material for the Gulf Coast, though I don't subscribe to the last bullying statement made by OMNICRETE (see quote above).

I'm a fan of AAC, though it's still comprised of concrete which contains some level of cement, which in turn is one of the highest embodied energy products known to man.



I don't have the education yet on the measurement embodied energy . I really thought that inorganic materials were the type of materials we were looking for in environmental sensitivity. Doesn't a product like this AAC have a long duration life cycle, and then when it's useful life is over it can be returned to the earth in nearly it's original form?

I thought using a product like this coupled with natural ventilation and deep summer overhangs would make for comfortable living. Something about using it made me feel a little better than using the foam ICF's, but it was just an uneducated impression.

So did you check it out in person?

I am going to email Ms. Sanford and request a visit with her on the Sky site, I have interest and will report toward the mid-August moon the outcome of said visit.

Did you go?
What's it like?
Did Ms. Sanford meet you?
How many houses have they built so far?
Is the first building "the Sky Institute" complete?
Are they experimenting with alternative energy solutions?
What kind of paving did they use for the streets to catch the rainwater?
Does it look like the residents will be a part of a real sustainable community?

I don't have the education yet on the measurement embodied energy . I really thought that inorganic materials were the type of materials we were looking for in environmental sensitivity. Doesn't a product like this AAC have a long duration life cycle, and then when it's useful life is over it can be returned to the earth in nearly it's original form?

I thought using a product like this coupled with natural ventilation and deep summer overhangs would make for comfortable living. Something about using it made me feel a little better than using the foam ICF's, but it was just an uneducated impression.

I don't think you are incorrect. I simply wanted to offer additional insight into what comprises a sustainable material. One solution does not fit all. Location, climate, and use are equally important considerations.

Embodied energy is typically measured in MegaJoules and there are materials lists available on the internet. One correction from a previous post, I stated that cement is high in embodied energy, relative to other materials like copper and steel it is lower, but because it is one of the most used building materials, collectively it has a far greater environmental impact.

I don't think you are incorrect. I simply wanted to offer additional insight into what comprises a sustainable material. One solution does not fit all. Location, climate, and use are equally important considerations.

Embodied energy is typically measured in MegaJoules and there are materials lists available on the internet. One correction from a previous post, I stated that cement is high in embodied energy, relative to other materials like copper and steel it is lower, but because it is one of the most used building materials, collectively it has a far greater environmental impact.

I've been trying to get educated and informed about Embodied Energy and I noticed what you just reported. Cement is listed as medium in most publications.

I haven't heard much negative information about AAC and I worked with it about a decade ago now.