Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
Ecotopia with its seven acres of land started in 2006 based on a holistic perspective with permaculture principles as guidelines. Ecotopia Österlen presents sustainable solutions such as different combinations of ecological building materials with related structures, energy calculation, ecocycle gray water sewage system, wood-fired oven, combined heating system, solar panels, linseed-oil and egg tempera painting etc. At Ecotopia old and new knowledge are intertwined. The farmhouse is a traditional Scanian house from the 19th century built of dried mud-bricks. In 2010 it was lengthened with a farm building. After that the Future workshop and Meeting place were built.
In 2014, the construction of a total of five eco-cabins was completed. The cabins are placed in different natural surroundings and each cabin has four beds, which makes a total of 20 beds. The cabins are all built differently regarding construction and choice of ecological building materials, such as straw, clay, mud-bricks, wood, peat and reed. Kitchen, two bathrooms and four compost toilets are available in our service unit at Mötesplatsen (the Meeting Place), 1-2 minutes walk from the cabins. Our wheelchair accessible cabin has its own kitchen and bathroom.
Two of the cabins are built of straw bales. One has clay walls and floor, while the other is covered with wood panelling and has a hardwood floor. Both cabins have geothermal heating.
Pictures and description of the straw bale courses in Ecotopia:
http://www.baubiologie.at/workshop2013/ecotopia-2013/index.htm
http://www.baubiologie.at/workshops2012/2012-05-ecotopia/index.htm
Working together
Ecotopia på Österlen has begun to work together with & support of other non-profit organizations & foundations with the same or similar intentions:
Forumteater FTS – De förtrycktas teater
PIA Permakultur-Akademie im Alpenland
asbn – Austrian Strawball Network
Österikiskt frönätverk som skyddar kulturväxter och deras mångfald
