With FWOP partnership with COFIMICH, MUJERES VIGILANTES and SEDESOL in Mexico , we have chance to bring eco-housing and eco-villages or sustainable living to thousands. Some 5000 house are under construction now. As part of FWOP role as a full partner in the program, we continue to look for new home models and villages. Some years ago FWOP arranged for Bill Peck , architect of Lewisville to lecture at the University of Zacatecas in Zacatecas Mexico on green house construction. Bill is now building zero energy homes across North Texas. Earlier FWOP staff worked with Jane Provo of Denton Affordable Housing Corporation and Dan Fette, a well know green building in North Texas to build the Nevada Court development for low income citizens of Denton some four years ago. These houses of 1300 square feet could assure residents that their cooling and heating bill would not be above $60 per months on average for 12 months.
A week ago, FWOP representatives attended the energy summit at the Discovery Park at UNT and learn more about the Zero Energy Lab House . We then attended the ground breaking ceremony at sunflower maids for the Lab House at noon . The Lab House will allow researchers to test various innovations integrated into a total unit to see how well they function , or how well they contribute to energy efficiency and water conservation.
The emerging idea in Denton and in Mexico with support from FWOP is create a zero energy villages, not just single homes. In Denton it could be for an intergenerational communities or a community that integrates all social classes , students , the disabled, and the elderly. In Mexico it villages will remain low income oriented. But , hope knows the future?
We learned recently that the eco house communities in Mexico are integrating various ways to secure a more sustainable future for the families. For example, check loftypm.com/, they are moving forward to build three more chicken /fish/kitichen gardens into the homes in San Martin. FWOP is designing a new model a house hold that uses less land. You can see our initial model in San Martin below . In other location they are installing green house to grow vetable for all seasons for consumption and for see in the local market or in region markets.
