Eco Village Architecture: A Global Movement for Sustainable Living

Eco village architecture is a global movement that's all about creating sustainable communities that live in harmony with nature. Eco villages are designed to be self-sufficient, with their own renewable energy sources, organic farms, and waste management systems.

The idea of eco villages has been around for decades, but it's gaining momentum worldwide. In the 1960s, the first eco village was established in the UK, and since then, thousands of communities have been built in over 100 countries.

One of the key principles of eco village architecture is minimizing the impact on the environment. This means using locally sourced materials, reducing energy consumption, and promoting biodiversity. For example, many eco villages incorporate green roofs, which provide insulation and habitat for wildlife.

Eco villages are not just about reducing our carbon footprint; they're also about creating vibrant, connected communities. In an eco village, residents often come together to share resources, skills, and knowledge. This can lead to a strong sense of belonging and social cohesion.

Ar Chitra Vishwanath, an architect, gives utmost importance to the ecology of the site and the use of eco-friendly materials in her projects.

She approaches her projects by analyzing the site and its needs first, and then incorporates sustainable strategies such as rainwater harvesting, waste treatment, and turning spaces green.

Stabilized mud blocks form a significant part of her projects, which are created on-site, reducing the need for transportation and carbon emissions.

The Eco Village, designed by Ar Chitra Vishwanath and her team, depends on the availability of groundwater, which is a radical concern while planning the space.

A hydro-geological study was carried out to acknowledge the water-retaining and recharge structures, services, and roads, and all areas are zoned based on the natural drainage of the site.

The buildings have been skirted around the valleys to allow a clear passage to water, while the lower areas have been implemented towards the growth and cultivation of flora.

The hills surrounding the Eco Village act as an advantage to the site, leading all the rainwater to a large excavated pond, accumulating the water coming down through the hills.

The sustainability of the Eco Village is based on four primary aspects: Natural building, Sewage treatment, Organic farming, and Alternative energy sources.

Ithaca's sustainable community in New York's Finger Lakes region implements sustainable solutions to how we use shelter, food, energy, wellness, and social connectedness.

Their insulated green buildings conserve the warmth of the sun for the winters, and their passive solar designs allow natural daylight and minimize cold north winds.

The Ecovillage Training Center offers whole systems immersion experiences of ecovillage living, classes of instruction, access to information, tools, and resources, and on-site and off-site consulting and outreach experiences.

It assists transition towards a sustainable society by instruction in meeting basic needs for food, shelter, energy, fuel, gainful employment, and community process and progress.

From Australia to Peru, eco-villages are popping up around the world, offering sustainable living alternatives for people looking to make a change.

Community gardens are a common feature in many eco-villages, like the one in Haiti, which shows that even in challenging environments, sustainable living is possible.

Eco-villages are intentional communities designed to be environmentally sustainable, and they're a great way for people to come together and work towards a common goal.

Eco-villages are popping up all over the world, offering sustainable living alternatives for people seeking a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

From Australia to Peru, you can find intentional communities designed to be environmentally sustainable.

Many people are searching for ways to lead more sustainable lives as the climate crisis worsens.

Eco-villages like Eco Truly Park in Peru are a great example of sustainable living in action.

Punta Mona, Costa Rica is an off-the-grid farm and centre for sustainability and education. They're located in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, where the Caribbean waters play a major role in the community's biodiversity.

The community teaches permaculture, herbalism, yoga, art, and how to build a treehouse with renewable materials from the jungle. They focus on using all ingredients for medicine, food, and wellness that come from their own farms.

You can take a snack in the jungle, as all the ingredients used in the community come from their own farms. Their sustainability not only lies in their ecological houses, but also in their focus on wellness and connection to nature.

Their ecological houses are just one part of their sustainable approach. The community's emphasis on wellness and connection to nature is a key aspect of their way of life.

Some eco villages are truly remarkable examples of sustainable living. One such village is Zaytuna Farm in Australia, which has been thriving since 1996.

Zaytuna Farm is a permaculture community that has been able to produce over 90% of its own food, using techniques such as crop rotation and composting. This model has been replicated in other parts of the world.

The village has also implemented a number of innovative water management systems, including a rainwater harvesting system that collects and stores rainwater for use in irrigation and other non-potable purposes.

The Govardhan Village is a true gem, and I'm excited to share its story with you. Located in India, this eco-village has been a retreat and wellness centre for many years, but it didn't always have the accommodation facilities it needed.

The village's management was concerned about the impact of new infrastructure on the site, but they were lucky to have Ar. Chitra Vishwanath on board, a sustainable building expert who helped them develop a unique and environmentally friendly approach.

The construction phase was a long one, spanning eight dry months, but the end result was well worth it. The village features rammed earth walls, stabilized mud block walls, and pre-cast roofing elements made from timber, bamboo, and Mangalore tiles.

These sustainable building techniques not only reduced the village's carbon footprint but also created a unique and natural ambiance. The use of arches as support elements and the higher ceiling height helped to maintain thermal comfort inside the built mass.

One of the most impressive features of the Govardhan Village is its water and waste management system, which includes the concept of Soil Biotechnology. This innovative technique filters greywater from various parts of the site, and the cow dung from the Goshala is used for organic farming and biogas generation.

The village's focus on sustainability and simplicity has paid off, with many awards under its belt, including sustainable building, water conservation, and organic farming. It's a true model for simple living and high thinking.

Crystal Waters, Australia, is a beacon of sustainable living nestled within 640 acres of pristine bushland at the headwaters of the Mary River.

The community was established in 1987 and is the world's first intentional permaculture village. Permaculture is an agricultural system that cooperates with the environment to create self-sustaining systems.

Crystal Waters is home to more than 250 residents of diverse ages and backgrounds. The village comprises 83 privately owned plots, common lands, and cooperatively owned commercial properties designed with permaculture principles in mind.

Community life at Crystal Waters is vibrant, with regular events including monthly concerts, markets, and various courses ranging from permaculture to the arts. Residents are encouraged to participate and contribute to the community's well-being.

The village's permaculture design focuses on caring for the earth, caring for people, and redistributing all surpluses such as money and labor. This approach has made Crystal Waters a model for eco-friendly, low-impact living.

The residential area only occupies 20% of the land, with the rest used for regeneration of wildlife, bamboo farms, organic agriculture, and natural playgrounds. This balance between human and wildlife habitats is a key aspect of Crystal Waters' sustainable community.

Auroville, India, is an ambitious global township designed to house 50,000 inhabitants from around the world.

This visionary community was established in 1968 and currently hosts 3,300 residents of 60 different nationalities, making it a truly international and inclusive place.

At the heart of Auroville lies the Matrimandir structure, known as the "soul of the city", which is a significant landmark in the community.

Auroville is divided into four distinct zones: the Industrial Zone, the Cultural Zone, the Residential Zone, and the International Zone, each emphasizing a vital aspect of the town's life.

The town is surrounded by a green belt of farms, forested areas, and sanctuaries, showcasing the community's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Tamera, Portugal is a community that's been around since 1978 and has grown to become home to about 160 people.

The community's vision is to create a nonviolent and regenerative society through the principles of Healing Biotopes.

Healing Biotopes are habitats where all life forms coexist in harmonious diversity.

Tamera's co-founder Dieter Duhm developed The Healing Biotopes Plan after decades of research into life's potential for regeneration and healing.

Those interested in learning more about Tamera and Healing Biotopes can check out Tamera's online educational resources.

Findhorn, Scotland, is a sustainable community that aims to completely cut their carbon footprint. Located in the Bay of Moray, it's a beautiful place with gardens, ecological architecture, and community building.

Findhorn's zero carbon homes are made from natural materials, and they use "breathing walls" to interact with the indoor climate and passive solar systems for water and electricity. You have the creative freedom to build your design, or rent one already built.

The community's currency, called the Eko, allows them to have a sustainable economy while nourishing a loving community. This unique approach to money has helped Findhorn thrive as a community.

Cullerne Gardens is the place to grow the community's supply of food, and many residents love to share their garden with neighbors. This shared approach to food production is just one way that Findhorn's community building comes alive.

Torri Superiore, Imperia, Italy is a 14th-century medieval village near the Mediterranean sea.

This sustainable village has a unique approach to regeneration, aiming to revitalize its economy and social aspects while prioritizing sustainability.

You can experience the beauty of the Ligurian mountains or swim in the natural waters of Bevera during your stay.

Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their organic agriculture, solar thermal panels, and composting toilets.

Employment opportunities based on environmental sustainability and social solidarity are also a key goal.

All materials used in the village's reconstruction are environmentally benign, such as coconut fibres, corks, and local materials from the village.

Green building techniques were used to create a harmonious blend with the surroundings.

Torri Superiore is working with local agencies to develop ecotourism, beekeeping, local trade, and social care initiatives.