Getting Things Done in July!

Many new things have been developing here in our humble enclave over the last few weeks! First we adjusted the solar panels from an 8 degree pitch flush with the roof, to 40.5 degree pitch for ideal solar gain in this latitude. This has helped increase the efficiency of our photovoltaic charging system. But the panels, at best, only produce a total of 75 watts. Meanwhile our consumption of electricity here has increased with us camping here regularly now. Charging the laptop, cellphones, mobile wifi hotspot device, not to mention lights and fans have effectively overwhelmed this modest, experimental, independent, renewable, electrical grid.

The Savonius wind turbine has been languishing, our location just not being as well suited for wind power as I had hoped. So borrowing the powerplant from that project, we made a short trip to Lowes, and two or three hours later my Father and I assembled a working bicycle turbine! This is something I have wanted to build for some time now, even before we began construction off the ARK prototypes. I also believe it has potential to be a decent supplemental power source alternative to the solar panels. It works great and I'm in the process of uploading some video of it in action. Maximum power output recorded during tests so far: 8.4 amps @ 14.5 volts or 121.8 watts. Much more electricity pumping with each turn of the pedals than our PV system can produce on its best day. Plus its portable, universally adapts to any bike, relatively quiet, is great exercise with a fantastic motivating incentive! Some good old fashioned positive reinforcement mixed with 21st century free-energy principles. I've personally put in about two hours riding so far, producing approximately 604,800 Joules or 168 Watt-Hours of clean electricity and a cardiovascular workout comparable to a 25+ mile ride.

Meanwhile our neighbors, a family of House Wrens have recently built two nests in the top knuckles of our containers, pictured here is one of them in ARK-A. I also finally built a simple outdoor camp shower that taps into our rain water supply. It has the added benefit to us as a place to easily procure water for ourselves, the garden, and cleaning purposes without having to dip into one of the barrels directly and risk spoiling the water. It's a cool invigorating shower if I do say so myself. I enjoy one a day, especially with this oppressive heat upon us here this July! We've already had a few guests here use it to their satisfaction, including at least one toad! Soon we'll get the indoor shower figured out too. Cabinetry inside ARK-A is moving along, we're ready to install the kitchen sink, once it arrives. There is still quite a bit of varnishing yet to do, you can check in again soon for more updates!

-Trevor

One Year Anniversary of "C-Day"!

May 15th 2009 saw the successful delivery of the first corrugated steel shipping container to arrive at the Farm. One year later and we can harvest and purify all the fresh water we want. Solar energy stored in multiple banks of batteries. A "green roof" with 8-10 inches of organic topsoil insulating the roof, and providing ample room for a freshly planted Victory Garden we'll soon be supplementing into our daily diet. As of this afternoon brand new maple plywood paneling has been installed into the interior of ARK-A adding a bright natural and modern dimension to the space. Plus a cool shaded hand made "dog-azebo™" for our Head of Security to rest between patrols.

Soon two fully independent Arkhaus prototypes will be operational in tandem for the first time. Tomorrow final construction of the Savonius wind turbine should be in the works. And development of a combination passive solar hot water and hot air system has begun. I will try to be better about documenting all our progress, 2010 is going to be a good year for The Arkhaus Initiative! Thanks for all your support, encouragement and inspiration!

Spring Update!

So warm weather is finally upon us! Here's a quick list of things on the hot plate here for the Arkhaus Initiative!

* Jen's 1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D has had its custom dual tank waste vegetable oil fuel system installed and calibrated by our expert diesel mechanic and foreign car guru, Fred in Kennett Square just west of Philadelphia. It will be back on the road this week! Keep your nose in the wind and you just might catch a hint of egg-rolls and french fries!

* My 1970 "Continental Multifuel" Kaiser-Jeep M35A2 has a brand new alternator and matched pair of batteries installed and running! Thanks to my friend Kevin, a sharp diesel mechanic who has served with the Marines and our Resident Deuce Guru for assisting me with this project. This weekend I will be finishing work on the rear suspension with my Father and Brother-in-Law Mark who have been instrumental in getting this truck operational and complete once-and-for-all the "bobbed" 4x4 conversion undertaken by the previous owner and soon to be pressed into service as the ArkHaus Initiative's work-horse to get much needed supplies and provisions to the Compound.

* Soon to arrive by mail are the last major components to build our first Savonius Wind Turbine to generate electricity (12 volts every 240 RPM to be precise.) I have a feeling we will be building two of these before the Summer is over and we'll have more than enough electricity on tap for a refrigerator and Nintendo.

* Rain-water harvesting has officially commenced for 2010. With over three centimeters (around an inch and a quarter) of rain having saturated the Farm by midnight we were able to fill two 55 gallon drums and I placed a third drum under the spout to continue gathering this priceless commodity into the morning. We will be expanding our water capacity over the next few months from the modest 500 gallons currently on site. The water purifier has been reassembled and its end product is the most refreshing healthy drink I may have ever tasted!

* The first test prototype solar collector or solar furnace has been built by myself and fellow ArkHaus Initiative compatriot, Matt, using 48 used aluminum beer cans. Preliminary tests have been very promising with 200 degree air flowing from the exhaust port of the unit. We're looking forward to building four full scale units to be installed in an apartment building belonging to a client of ours. Expect to see more about these free energy space heaters around thearkhaus.com and for more information about having us build one for you just email us!

* Our partner enterprise, K9Delights.com is officially operating as an LLC in the state of Pennsylvania and is gearing up for production of a healthy gourmet treat specially made for dogs. Hand rolled, gluten free, all natural organic ingredients with no preservatives in four delicious flavors! Support independant food producers and environmentally responsible entrepreneurs like Jen by ordering your own batch today at K9Delights.com!

We really love hearing from container house fans and fans of thearkhaus.com! Thanks for all your support over the last year since we began this Initiative. Stay in touch with us via email, Facebook or Twitter and send us pictures of your own container project or off-grid clean energy solution and we'll post them here on our site! That's all for now!

Delicious ArkHaus Tetris Cupcakes!

These were amazing! I made them over the weekend. Combining 2 of my favorite elements, Tetris & tasty treats, they were a big hit among our friends. :)

-Jen


["Hi Reddit!"]

ArkHaus Q&A featured on Containerist.com

Our friend Terry over at containerist.com has interviewed the crew at ArkHaus and included our Q&A discussion on our container house on his website. Check it out!

here is a direct link to the Q&A section:
http://containerist.com/?p=529

peace.

-Jen

Frugally Green

Greetings fans of The ArkHaus! Making a brief post because I just came across a great link and wanted to share it with all of you. Its a solid collection of sustainable and environmentally conscious articles. The guy's name is Tyler and his website is: www.frugallygreen.org

Lots of great ideas on how to make significant changes in your life from subtle to substantial. I came across his site in a roundabout way after reading through a life altering book called, The Good Life.

Check it out.


ps: On another note... a while back I ordered Soap Nuts from: www.BuySoapNuts.com and used them as a laundry detergent and it works really well. Soap Nuts and vinegar is all you need to clean au natural. :)



Until next time...

-Jen

Earth Song

A little something for your audial and visual pleasure. A long time favorite of mine with a strong message. R.I.P. MJ

-Jen

The ArkHaus featured on Containerist.com

What is a Containerist?

It’s a moniker I created for a person who lives inside a container home or at least has the desire to do so (such as myself). Why do I want to live in a container home? It seems to me that there is a statement to be made by living in one–similar to hybrid cars and wind farms. It’s a cool thing which impacts the environment in a beneficial way. - T.H


I recently got in touch with a multi-talented fan of alternative living who owns Containerist.com his name is Terry Herb and his website is jam packed with a variety of information, ranging from Pre-Fab structures to current environmental issues and what changes you can make to turn your lifestyle into a more sustainable/economical one. Check him out!





-Jen

Big News!

C-Day "Phase Two" in T-Minus-Three Days!

Arkhaus Initiative Crew Member Jen will be the proud owner of her own freshly painted 20' "Shell" which will officially kick off "Phase-Two" of operations here at the Arkhaus Compound. Slightly ahead of schedule and under budget? Sounds good to me!

This second phase will be the "Workshop/Studio" of the Arkhaus Compound and serve as an insulated, heated space to store and filter WVO year round. Designs and photos to follow along shortly!

We are very excited to be able to expand and see things taking shape! Stay tuned for updates this week!

***

This feeling, finally, that we may change things - this is at the centre of everything we are. Lose that... lose everything - Sir David Hare 1947

Le Corbusier Quotes

A house is a machine for living in.


A hundred times have I thought New York is a catastrophe and 50 times: It is a beautiful catastrophe.


Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light.


I prefer drawing to talking. Drawing is faster, and leaves less room for lies.


Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep.


The home should be the treasure chest of living.


To create architecture is to put in order. Put what in order? Function and objects.

Matroshka Compact Living Concept: Your Life in 43 Square Feet

"First unveiled at the Stockholm Furniture Fair last month, Matroshka was born from a project in a course on creative thinking at Mid Sweden University last May. In an attempt to find new solutions for people living in small spaces, the four industrial design students considered how to best create space, storage and sociality." Matroshka via Treehugger.com

TED Talks: William McDonough

William McDonough is a brilliant man, his book "Cradle to Cradle" was a mind blowing read. And his speech here at TED was equally fascinating and prescient.