What Could Sustainable Housing Look Like?
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Building housing for a changing climate and equitable access may need to look a little (or a lot) different in the future. One thing most agree on is that doing the same thing that has always been done will not solve housing challenges.
The Northwoods Sustainable Housing Project is a one-year project that will explore existing alternative housing, new technologies, building methods and materials, gather community together to creatively re-think what is possible in this unique place, and create a resource that showcases what is possible. The community in Northeastern Minnesota has an abundance of creativity and a deep desire to do something better. Our hope is that out of this work, new models and partnerships will emerge. |
FOUR AREAS OF FOCUS:
SUSTAINABLE: operational carbon, embodied energy in materials, passive technologies, materials that don't create waste at the end of their lifecycles.
HEALTHY: materials that have a positive impact on the environment, water and air quality, and human health.
AFFORDABLE: for all
RESILIENT: considering forest fire risk, increasing extreme weather, and a warming climate.
SUSTAINABLE: operational carbon, embodied energy in materials, passive technologies, materials that don't create waste at the end of their lifecycles.
HEALTHY: materials that have a positive impact on the environment, water and air quality, and human health.
AFFORDABLE: for all
RESILIENT: considering forest fire risk, increasing extreme weather, and a warming climate.
Sustainable Housing Community Resource(Coming Soon)
A goal of this project is to create a community resource and guide to building techniques, skills, and materials that encompass sustainable, healthy, affordable, and resilient design. The resource will showcase specific homes and features in and near Cook County, MN, and explore new and old technologies to uncover solutions that work well in this specific place. |
Videos
Reimagine Sustainable Housing RoundtableThe one-year project explores existing alternative housing, new technologies, building methods and materials. A roundtable of professional and DIY builders, homeowners, climate advocates, residents, and educators share their own projects and experiences and to creatively re-think what is possible in this unique community in Northeastern Minnesota, where there is an abundance of creativity and a deep desire to do something better.
Facilitators: Jennifer Victor-Larsen and Kjell Olsen Tuesday, October 14, 2025 |
Post-oil Housing and a Beautiful Future(VIDEO COMING)
David Abazs will lead the presentation, beginning with the big picture, an Earth-Systems approach for the future, and then focusing specifically on what that means from a housing perspective. Friday, April 10, 2026 |
You Are Where You Live: How Healthy is your Indoor Air Quality?
Video coming
This one-year project will be an exploration, community gathering, and sharing of findings. We hope it will inspire work toward real solutions that are unique for our area, by our community, and accessible to everyone.
Alternative Homes
A resource highlighting existing alternative home projects specific to the geography and climate of the North Shore region of MN. See what has been done, what works well and what hasn't.
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Materials & Techniques
A resource that compares and scores building materials, techniques, and design ranging from traditional to cutting edge new innovations to help inspire more sustainable, healthy, affordable, resilient projects.
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Community Partners
Network of people resources: craftspeople, builders, community and government organizations, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
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About Us
This project was born around a community bonfire, with friends chatting about the housing crisis, the climate, and the future.
It grew out of a deep curiosity about what could be done and a desire for more than talk.
It blossomed through many more conversations with other passionate people.
It grew out of a deep curiosity about what could be done and a desire for more than talk.
It blossomed through many more conversations with other passionate people.
