Self sustainable zero waste productive home in Melbourne demonstrates future | Gardening Australia

While it is perched on the edge of the CBD, it is aimed squarely at homeowners everywhere, “in the future we will all live like this” says Joost.

The 3-storey house is a humble 87m2, about ¼ of the size of an average Aussie dwelling, but it has big ambitions, to demonstrate a productive, sustainable & no-waste future. “Our food system one of the most wasteful, polluting things on the planet – the way we grow our food but also transport and sell it. I wanted to create a house that was shelter for people but could also grow food and create energy – our cities have so much potential”.

Every available space is involved in growing food, and every available nutrient in the house harvested to do it.

Potted gardens fill both balconies, growing everything from pumpkins to chickpeas. Food grade plastic 44-gallon drums are positioned everywhere, as soil-filled pots acting as ballast for the house and as wicking beds.

The house is also running Aquaponics systems, with fish, yabbies and fresh-water mussels contributing nutrients to 2 large grow beds. “more than enough to feed a family all the greens they need”. Joost reckons that they are much easier than people think, particularly when you are raising things like yabbies

The mushroom wall is both an aesthetic and edible addition to the house, positioned in the base of the vertical green house, in the central stairwell. Humidity for the mushies, is harvested from the shower and the hot water system – nothing is wasted.

Of course, general waste is also being converted into fertiliser & fuel. They are feeding veggie scraps to crickets. These crickets are then used in the kitchen to make felafel!

While Joost is passionate about natural ecosystems, in this designed ecosystem people are integral. “Without them, the nutrients needed for the system do not exist. It needs to be managed”. The people in this case are Matt stone & Jo Barret, award winning chefs who grew their own gardening skills running their zero-waste kitchen at Oakridge wines.

They have been on the tools throughout the house construction, and now are now living in the house, eating only what they grow on site. They are very passionate about the project and about the ethos. Matt - “When you cook this way, you just want to do more. As a chef, I want things to be delicious, and the most delicious food is the most ethically produced food”.

But Joost hopes the ideas here will help to fuel others for the future. “I don’t see that everything we are doing here is the only way to do it, I want it to be a catalyst.

“CRICKET BALLS” RECIPE
1 cup dried chickpeas
4 spring onions
1/2 bun parsley
1/2 bun coriander
2 cloves garlic
1 sml piece fresh turmeric
1 carrot
1t cumin
1t coriander seed
1/2 paprika
1T baking powder
1/2 cup crickets

Soak the chickpeas for 24 hours. If you have time you can leave you can drain them off and lay on a tray for a day or two to sprout. It adds extra flavour and nutrients but isn’t necessary.

Roughly chop the veggies and herbs. Toast and grind the spices.

Add herbs, veggies, chickpeas and crickets to a blender. Blend till as smooth as possible. Transfer to a bowl. Mix in the baking powder and season with salt and pepper. If the mix is wet add some chickpea of plain flour till you can roll the mix into balls.

Roll the mix into 20 ish balls. Heat some frying oil in a pot on the stove. Heat till roughly 180 degrees. Fry the cricket balls for a few minutes until golden and crisp. Season with salt and serve with your favourite dipper sauce.



FEATURED SPECIES

SNOWFLAKE MUSHROOM

Hericium coralloides

LION’S MANE

Hericium erinaceus

YABBY

Cherax destructor

FRESHWATER MUSSEL

Family Hyriidae

BARRAMUNDI

Lates calcarifer


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[steffidoc]

They should write a whole book about this house. There are so many ideas that I would like to learn more about and try out here in my home in Germany.

[JonathanBaileynu]

We are definitely at that point! This is exactly what we need.. “self-sufficient” but not hoarder militia style.. elegant and intuitive like this.

[jaybivs]

"I think in 2050, we'll look back at 2020 as the year that changed everything" -- Oh sir, you had no idea what 2021 would bring and how much clearer the message of this is NOW

Thanks for the insight!

[gotagreengardening]

Proud Melbournian here and as a nearly 40 year old single woman, living a modest life in the western burbs, I have transformed my backyard into a mini food forest and can’t wait to continue with this journey!!! Inspiring video Thankyou xx

[rhiannonh]

I want a full hour of content explaining this home :')

[boahsarah]

Memo to everyone: when you see someone have a moment like this guy did, when he made the mushroom pun, stop a second and celebrate together. this is such a high energy happy moment. A child-like bliss :) glad this guy is putting these vibes there

[TheLYagAmi]

I dream of a day when this system is fully integrated into every single building we construct. Earthships like this one are the future there is absolutely no doubt about it.

[darabounds]

I want to move to the countryside and build a Homestead for this experience but these crazy geniuses built this system in a city. Amazing.

[capicuaaa]

This is quite possibly the most comprehensive solution based system I’ve come across. This guy’s incredible and this needs replication en mass urgently!! What a genius.

[saranbhatia]

Great would be happening at a community level where all come together meaningfully!!

[ShyamSunder-zree]

Excellent word by both of you. Kudos. When we go to super market we buy more than what we Need. And we waste almost 50%. If we have a back yard garden, we will pick only what we Need.

[petergilfillan]

This is Freaking Awesome & so Inspiring. Well done : )

[JoyK]

A million plus points for people like 👏👏👏👍👍🥰🥰😍❤️

[martharinebiseko]

Love love all the science and recycling

[MariJ]

Duuude, this is fuc*ing great man!!! This gives me so much hope! Wonderful project of these guys!!

[madgechiasson]

The best project of it's kind I have ever researched. What a great steward of our planet.

[sulistiyono]

I am crying and really amazed watching this video. Really insightful yet inspiring. Thank you for uploading this video!!

[turnerkatrina]

Mate. You are a LEGEND!! If only more people opened themselves up to the possibilities

[jessicapinto]

You are the blue wizard of green living, I love what you are showing here! 💚💚

[phantomsuccour]

This gives me so much hope for the future