Comments on: PREFAB FRIDAY: Retreat to an Ewok Eco Sphere in the Trees http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/ Future-forward design for the world you inhabit Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:34:26 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: indostyleehttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-118086 indostylee Sat, 21 Feb 2009 03:42:54 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-118086 the first time i saw this, i was blown away....i'm from vancouver island...born and raised and was surprised at the design and that it was practically in my backyard.....i think what tom chudleigh is trying to convey is somewhat of a prototype in how future, forward thinking people could live, in a sustainable community....as oxtena said he was open to suggestions and wasn't closed within his own self-serving architectural presentation to the world....if cheaper, mobile versions can be made of it without destroying pristine forests just so someone wants to go "hang out" in the forest, then beautiful...as i understand, he used to build boats and sussed out how to steam wood into a sphere, build one and fulfill a childhood fantasy.......remember, if anything, he's definitely sparked a positive fire here that can totally be improved upon - and that's a good thing!....by the way, this and the other unit are in his backyard, not in the middle of the forest. the first time i saw this, i was blown away….i’m from vancouver island…born and raised and was surprised at the design and that it was practically in my backyard…..i think what tom chudleigh is trying to convey is somewhat of a prototype in how future, forward thinking people could live, in a sustainable community….as oxtena said he was open to suggestions and wasn’t closed within his own self-serving architectural presentation to the world….if cheaper, mobile versions can be made of it without destroying pristine forests just so someone wants to go “hang out” in the forest, then beautiful…as i understand, he used to build boats and sussed out how to steam wood into a sphere, build one and fulfill a childhood fantasy…….remember, if anything, he’s definitely sparked a positive fire here that can totally be improved upon – and that’s a good thing!….by the way, this and the other unit are in his backyard, not in the middle of the forest.

]]> By: otxenahttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-115624 otxena Wed, 21 Jan 2009 07:11:28 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-115624 We stayed there for our two year wedding anniversary. Tom is an amazing, thoughtful, creative man who envisions requiring nature to sustain us rather than clearing it for our homes. He is so open to sharing how he creates the spheres, some of his visions for a community, and welcomes ideas from anyone interested. The space was like nothing we've ever felt. .. claustrophobic for five minutes and hypnotically calming for the next two days. We would have, could have stayed there forever, but more people are discovering it and hence we finally had to go home.It was by far the coolest place I've ever been. We stayed there for our two year wedding anniversary. Tom is an amazing, thoughtful, creative man who envisions requiring nature to sustain us rather than clearing it for our homes. He is so open to sharing how he creates the spheres, some of his visions for a community, and welcomes ideas from anyone interested. The space was like nothing we’ve ever felt. .. claustrophobic for five minutes and hypnotically calming for the next two days. We would have, could have stayed there forever, but more people are discovering it and hence we finally had to go home.

It was by far the coolest place I’ve ever been.

]]> By: Nelida Capelahttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-114218 Nelida Capela Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:08:51 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-114218 Wonderful! I want one! I wanto to go to the woods. Wonderful! I want one! I wanto to go to the woods.

]]> By: werdsnavehttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-99892 werdsnave Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:53:02 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-99892 reminds me of this project:http://www.flickr.com/photos/werdsnave/sets/72157594182480263/ reminds me of this project:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/werdsnave/sets/72157594182480263/

]]> By: BeatingTreehttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-98053 BeatingTree Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:44:44 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-98053 I definatly disagree and agreewith some ofthese comments, and i as well have some ofmy own. i disagree saying this is a non-eco friendly way. because it is true that the means of this design interfears with nature, however, what better way would we use? we live on a planet full of nature, so its either live within that nature kill of every human, or destroy nature for ourselves, which we are currently doing. if this design would be madewith bamboo that woul be excellnt, for bamboo is one of the strongest building sources. however i do like the idea of connecting tree houses with bridges, i would be concerned of storms breaking the bridges. All together i love the design, however i would be concerned about the size and fitting bed and bathroom in it. I definatly disagree and agreewith some ofthese comments, and i as well have some ofmy own. i disagree saying this is a non-eco friendly way. because it is true that the means of this design interfears with nature, however, what better way would we use? we live on a planet full of nature, so its either live within that nature kill of every human, or destroy nature for ourselves, which we are currently doing. if this design would be madewith bamboo that woul be excellnt, for bamboo is one of the strongest building sources. however i do like the idea of connecting tree houses with bridges, i would be concerned of storms breaking the bridges. All together i love the design, however i would be concerned about the size and fitting bed and bathroom in it.

]]> By: SeanyMhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-96415 SeanyM Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:14:29 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-96415 'ourplanet' is run by a guy named ryan flynn. He has created 2 'organisations' in the past claiming to help children from the sex slave in asia (white orchid and living legends). since they were not working, he felt he had to use this idea which has not worked in the past, under the names travelblag and traveller, traveller 2.0, and distance his name from it.Please google ryan flynn, with living legends, or while orchid, or traveller, or our planetall info is compiled here:http://webscammers.net/rfinfo/ ‘ourplanet’ is run by a guy named ryan flynn. He has created 2 ‘organisations’ in the past claiming to help children from the sex slave in asia (white orchid and living legends). since they were not working, he felt he had to use this idea which has not worked in the past, under the names travelblag and traveller, traveller 2.0, and distance his name from it.

Please google ryan flynn, with living legends, or while orchid, or traveller, or our planet

all info is compiled here:

http://webscammers.net/rfinfo/

]]> By: nojodanhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-92860 nojodan Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:25:35 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-92860 no me gustaria estar en una de esas bolas una noche de tormenta no me gustaria estar en una de esas bolas una noche de tormenta

]]> By: DSkinnerhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-92676 DSkinner Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:21:59 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-92676 Some of the later people making comments are right. We must think of Gaia and listen to the Goracle. Encouraging people to visit pristine forests is evil. We should follow the lead of <a>this man</a> when building homes. If only I could be as in touch with the environment as he is. Gaia be praised. Some of the later people making comments are right. We must think of Gaia and listen to the Goracle. Encouraging people to visit pristine forests is evil. We should follow the lead of this man when building homes. If only I could be as in touch with the environment as he is. Gaia be praised.

]]> By: filbrucehttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-92421 filbruce Fri, 01 Aug 2008 05:13:20 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-92421 If you live within the habitat of man eating bears, this would make sence. If you live within the habitat of man eating bears, this would make sence.

]]> By: bleepblophttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-92376 bleepblop Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:21:54 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-92376 I agree with morellid these are not "eco-friendly" at all. plus this is nothing close to an ewok village. I designed better looking tree houses than this when I was a child. Even the Swiss Family Robinson had 1 up on this design. I agree with morellid these are not “eco-friendly” at all. plus this is nothing close to an ewok village. I designed better looking tree houses than this when I was a child. Even the Swiss Family Robinson had 1 up on this design.

]]> By: The Greenwood Collective » Ewok Stylehttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-92342 The Greenwood Collective » Ewok Style Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:22:23 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-92342 [...] Inhabit covers the story behind these suspended Ewok balls in more detail here. [...] [...] Inhabit covers the story behind these suspended Ewok balls in more detail here. [...]

]]> By: erichansahttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-92256 erichansa Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:52:38 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-92256 I think the design is a perfekt solution in forest. I think the design is a perfekt solution in forest.

]]> By: petradublinhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-91671 petradublin Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:54:01 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-91671 I think the design is visually very pleasing but I would also worry about ventilation in such a structure in such humid tropical climates. Also some questions, as beautiful and remote as the current locations for these spheres are, how does one travel there (as a sphere owner from either Europe or the U.S.) as it stipulates you would have the right to occupancy for 70% of the time, without whacking up a bad conscience & contributing to global pollution from air travel emissions? Why not build these spheres in Europe / U.K / U.S etc where both shareholders and owners can both benefit from their renting out and also stay there themselves without the hassel? This would still benefit local communities, surely. Second question, who would maintain them throughout the year? And how? Looking forward with interest to your feedback. Petra (London) I think the design is visually very pleasing but I would also worry about ventilation in such a structure in such humid tropical climates. Also some questions, as beautiful and remote as the current locations for these spheres are, how does one travel there (as a sphere owner from either Europe or the U.S.) as it stipulates you would have the right to occupancy for 70% of the time, without whacking up a bad conscience & contributing to global pollution from air travel emissions? Why not build these spheres in Europe / U.K / U.S etc where both shareholders and owners can both benefit from their renting out and also stay there themselves without the hassel? This would still benefit local communities, surely. Second question, who would maintain them throughout the year? And how? Looking forward with interest to your feedback. Petra (London)

]]> By: morellidhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-91394 morellid Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:16:07 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-91394 "...building eco-resorts in gorgeous pristine areas..."Anyone building a resort in a pristine area does not have nature close to her or his heart. This is definitely NOT eco-friendly development.Please don't fly half-way around the world to spend time in resorts in pristine areas. Do something meaningful and take a train to visit your grandparents before they die. “…building eco-resorts in gorgeous pristine areas…”

Anyone building a resort in a pristine area does not have nature close to her or his heart. This is definitely NOT eco-friendly development.

Please don’t fly half-way around the world to spend time in resorts in pristine areas. Do something meaningful and take a train to visit your grandparents before they die.

]]> By: earthsmilehttp://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/comment-page-1/#comment-91215 earthsmile Sun, 27 Jul 2008 07:17:26 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/25/retreat-to-an-ewok-eco-spheres-in-trees/#comment-91215 Why not a grouping of hanging structures that interlink with walkways ? One module could be the bathroom module that way. It might also be better to create an artificial vertical support system, instead of using trees... and artificial 'branches' (I-beams... open web joists ?) Modules joined by walkways. Price each module: $15K US. Artificial central core support structure = $15K. Build out as you go. OR... use B.Fuller's 'tensegrity' concept to create lightweight skeletal frame covered with multi-layered fabric/foam board/waterproof, lightweight exterior element (like keeping warm in winter with multiple layers of clothes ?). Modules like these could be very inexpensive. See B.Fuller '4-D' house schematics for framing idea. make it a 'kit of parts'. All components being stock, industrial, off the shelf components. Good luck. Why not a grouping of hanging structures that interlink with walkways ? One module could be the bathroom module that way. It might also be better to create an artificial vertical support system, instead of using trees… and artificial ‘branches’ (I-beams… open web joists ?) Modules joined by walkways. Price each module: $15K US. Artificial central core support structure = $15K. Build out as you go. OR… use B.Fuller’s ‘tensegrity’ concept to create lightweight skeletal frame covered with multi-layered fabric/foam board/waterproof, lightweight exterior element (like keeping warm in winter with multiple layers of clothes ?). Modules like these could be very inexpensive. See B.Fuller ‘4-D’ house schematics for framing idea. make it a ‘kit of parts’. All components being stock, industrial, off the shelf components. Good luck.

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