Simon Dale had a dream, a home for him and his family, but at a low price. While there are no hobbits living in the house he built, it is a comfortable home that is way more affordable than your typical house, costing a mere $5,000 in materials to build. With no building or carpentry experience, Dale was able to build the home using nothing more than a hammer, chisel, and a chainsaw.
Find out how he built this now world-famous Hobbit House in only four months.
How it All Began
Dale’s vision began with an empty plot on a hillside in Wales, a pile of rocks, and a confidence in his abilities to pull the project off. He also drew some rudimentary plans to get him started. And while he knew it would be more than a handful given his experience, his dedication to the environment made it all worthwhile.
In Dale’s mind, he and his wife wanted to reduce their impact on the planet. “Our supplies are dwindling, and our planet is in ecological catastrophe. The sooner this change can be begun, the more comfortable it will be,” he said.
Building the Hobbit House
According to Dale, “His main relevant skills were being able bodied, having self belief and perseverance and a mate or two to give a lift now and again.”
Using the mud and stones from the excavated hillside for the foundation and walls, Dale began building his soon-to-be home in earnest. For the floor, he used spare wood from the surrounding forest, and for the window frames and other items, he found supplies from a local trash pile.
Dale built the frame of the house entirely from small trees, which gave the house its distinct shape and natural feel. For the roof, Dale used split logs. For the floor, he placed down wooden pallets first, followed by straw bales, and then topped it off with floorboards.
Camping in the Woods
Dale’s wife and their two children camped in the surrounding woods. The hardest part was living without water or electricity for the first three months while the home was being built, according to his wife. For light, the family relied solely on candlelight.
The aim of the project according to Dale, was to live in coexistence with nature. This included caring for the surrounding land and reaping its benefits. By living in this manner, Dale and his wife hoped to inspire others to change their lifestyle to be more low-impact and friendly to the Earth.
The Final Results
The final results were amazing. The home is totally environmentally friendly with a compost toilet, straw bale and lime plaster walls, and solar panels for energy production. In addition, the home is heated by a wood-burning stove.
Check Out the Inside
The Inside of the home is equally amazing. Clean and cozy, the home has a light and airy feel. The rustic lines and furnishings of the home give it a lived-in feel. In addition, the family planted a garden near the home to provide a natural food source.
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And while Dale and his family have moved on from the home, they continue their tradition of building Earth-friendly projects in the hope of spreading their message of low-impact living. To learn more about this particular project, visit simondale.net.
Asked why they live the way they do, Dale responded, “It’s fun. Living your own life in your own way is rewarding. Following our dreams keeps our souls alive.”
