Rod Rylander, at 85, is tackling America’s housing crunch head-on. He’s building an off-grid, solar-powered home on a 10-acre piece of New Mexico land filled with mesquite and rocks. He aims to do it all for under $50,000. This "sustainable home," as he calls it, will be around 1,200 square feet. Rod hopes it’ll be a model for affordable housing, something that could help artists, veterans, struggling families, and others who can’t afford the average home price, which Forbes reports is over $400,000.
A Lifetime of Building and Helping
Rod isn’t new to this. He’s a biologist, real estate agent, and builder, and he has always volunteered and worked for social causes. He once built a solar-powered cob and rammed-earth home at Earthaven Ecovillage in North Carolina. Before that, he spent two decades between Earthaven and Belize, volunteering with the Peace Corps. But he felt like he needed to do more, and his passion for innovative building was reignited. Rod says it simply: "I still felt that drive. I have to be creative."
His adventure in Animas, a small town in Hidalgo County, began when he found a piece of land with amazing mountain and desert views. It even had a well, which is essential in the desert. The price? Just $26,000. So, he packed up his Honda Civic and drove 1,700 miles west to this quiet ranching community. Animas has only about 109 people and is so peaceful that sometimes people spot jaguars! While he’s finishing up his solar-powered home, Rod lives in a $2,000 camper, proving he’s serious about keeping costs down.
Even though he has two grown children and lives alone, Rod is building the house himself. He spent the hot spring and summer months digging into the hard ground, getting ready for the living space and an indoor fish pond. He also stacked rocks to make the walls and berms. Later, he bought a small tractor with a box scraper to help with the heavy work.
Rod is a kind and gentle man. When asked about retirement, he laughs and says it’s not something he thinks about. "I like to help society," he says, explaining why he does what he does. Those who know him understand his spirit and experience. He grew up on a farm in Texas and has always loved nature and bird watching. He studied science, math, and social ecology at the University of North Texas and Goddard College. He’s been a curator and educator at the UNT Natural History Museum, a captain in the Air Force, and has worked on various projects with the Peace Corps, including in the Philippines and New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Years ago, Rod talked about living without a car, having no mortgage, and living on just $700 a month. He started in real estate and construction in his late twenties because he wanted to find better, more environmentally friendly housing. He realized that regular housing didn’t work for everyone financially, so he created underground homes with a special “vertical crawl space” design that made them energy-efficient all year round.
In the early 2000s, Rod worked as a park ranger at the Grand Canyon and helped start an ecotourism lodge in Texas. He’s traveled the world to share his research and solutions for sustainable living, from Papua New Guinea to Nepal. People are often surprised by his age, but Amy Belanger, who has known him for a long time, says he lives life to the fullest: "He just feels like you live until you die, so you live fully."
Rod is still working on his home-building methods and is excited about what’s next. His dedication to solving housing problems shows a growing movement toward affordable, eco-friendly housing, using modern ideas based on old-fashioned building techniques.
Key Features of Rylander’s Sustainable Home
Let’s dive deeper into the specifics of what makes Rod Rylander’s project so innovative and potentially impactful:
Off-Grid Living: The home is designed to operate independently of traditional utility services. This means no electricity bills, no water bills (beyond the initial well), and no dependence on external energy sources. This is achieved through solar panels for electricity and a well for water.
Solar Power System: The home utilizes photovoltaic (PV) panels to convert sunlight into electricity. This clean, renewable energy source powers the home’s appliances, lighting, and other electrical needs. Battery storage systems are likely incorporated to provide power during nighttime or cloudy days. Understanding the specifics of solar power can be greatly aided by resources available from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Water Sourcing: The existing well on the property provides a crucial source of water. This eliminates the need to connect to a municipal water supply, saving money and reducing environmental impact. Water conservation strategies are also likely employed, such as rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems (reusing water from showers and sinks for irrigation).
Passive Heating and Cooling: The home’s design incorporates passive heating and cooling techniques to minimize the need for energy-intensive heating and air conditioning systems. This can include strategies like:
Berms: Building earth berms against the walls of the home to insulate it from extreme temperatures.
Orientation: Orienting the home to maximize solar gain in the winter and minimize it in the summer.
Natural Ventilation: Designing the home to take advantage of natural breezes for cooling.
Thermal Mass: Using materials with high thermal mass (like rocks) to absorb and release heat, moderating temperature fluctuations.
Affordable Materials: Rylander’s commitment to a $50,000 budget necessitates the use of affordable and often repurposed materials. This could include:
Reclaimed Wood: Using salvaged wood from construction sites or demolition projects.
Recycled Materials: Incorporating recycled materials like tires, glass bottles, or plastic containers into the construction.
Locally Sourced Materials: Utilizing readily available and inexpensive materials from the surrounding area, such as rocks and adobe.
Aquaculture Pond: The inclusion of an indoor aquaculture pond within the home is a unique feature. This pond could serve multiple purposes:
Food Production: Raising fish for consumption.
Nutrient Cycling: Utilizing fish waste to fertilize plants.
Climate Control: The water in the pond could help to regulate the home’s temperature and humidity.
Challenges and Overcoming Them
Building an off-grid, affordable home in a remote location presents numerous challenges. Here’s how Rylander likely tackles some of them:
Permitting and Regulations: Building codes and regulations can be complex and differ from place to place, especially in remote areas. Rylander likely researches local building codes and obtains necessary permits to ensure his project meets safety standards but sometimes skips it.
Transportation: Getting materials to a remote site can be expensive and logistically challenging. Rylander’s use of local and repurposed materials helps to mitigate this issue.
Labor: Building a home single-handedly is a massive undertaking. Rylander’s experience and resourcefulness are essential. He may also collaborate with local volunteers or tradespeople to get help with specific tasks.
Extreme Weather: The New Mexico desert can experience extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. The home’s passive heating and cooling design is crucial for maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.
Water Scarcity: Water is a precious resource in the desert. Rylander’s use of a well and water conservation strategies are vital for ensuring a sustainable water supply.
The Broader Implications
Rod Rylander’s project is more than just a personal endeavor; it’s a potential model for addressing the affordable housing crisis. Here’s why it’s significant:
Demonstrates Feasibility: It proves that it’s possible to build a comfortable, sustainable home on a limited budget, using readily available materials and innovative design.
Inspires Others: Rylander’s story can inspire others to pursue alternative housing solutions and challenge conventional building practices.
Promotes Sustainable Living: The project showcases the benefits of off-grid living, renewable energy, and water conservation, encouraging a more sustainable lifestyle.
Offers a Solution for Marginalized Groups: The affordable housing prototype could provide a viable housing option for artists, military veterans, struggling families, and others who are priced out of the traditional housing market.
The Importance of Community
While Rod Rylander is undertaking this project largely on his own, the support of the local community is undoubtedly important. Small towns like Animas often have a strong sense of community, and residents are often willing to help each other out. This could involve:
Sharing Knowledge and Skills: Local residents may have expertise in areas such as well drilling, construction, or gardening that they can share with Rylander.
Providing Assistance with Construction: Volunteers may be willing to help with tasks such as digging, hauling materials, or carpentry.
Offering Moral Support: Living in a remote location can be isolating. The support and companionship of the local community can be invaluable.
Going Beyond the House: Creating a Sustainable Lifestyle
Building a sustainable home is just one piece of the puzzle. Creating a truly sustainable lifestyle involves a holistic approach that encompasses all aspects of life. This could include:
Growing Your Own Food: Establishing a garden to produce fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Raising Animals: Keeping chickens for eggs or other livestock for meat and dairy products.
Reducing Consumption: Minimizing waste and adopting a more minimalist lifestyle.
Supporting Local Businesses: Buying goods and services from local farmers, artisans, and businesses.
Connecting with Nature: Spending time outdoors and appreciating the natural environment.
Rod Rylander’s project is a testament to the power of human ingenuity and the desire to make a positive impact on the world. It’s a reminder that affordable, sustainable housing is possible, and that even at 85, it’s never too late to pursue your passions and help others.
Rylander’s Sustainable Building Design Elements
Rylander’s approach encompasses several key design elements:
Passive Solar Design: Orienting the home to maximize solar heat gain in winter and minimize it in summer.
Earth Berming: Using earth against the walls to insulate the home and regulate temperature.
Recycled Materials: Integrating materials like recycled glass and reclaimed wood to reduce environmental impact and costs.
Water Conservation: Implementing rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems to conserve water.
Natural Ventilation: Designing the home to capitalize on natural breezes for cooling.
Challenges in Rural Building and How to Overcome Them
Building in rural areas presents particular challenges:
Permitting: Rural areas may have less stringent building codes, but understanding and complying with local regulations is still vital.
Material Transport: Access to materials can be difficult due to distance. Sourcing materials locally and repurposing what’s available can reduce these obstacles.
Labor: Finding skilled labor can be challenging. Engaging local community members and offering training opportunities can help.
Infrastructure: Limited access to utilities requires off-grid solutions, necessitating renewable energy systems and independent water sources.
The Future of Affordable Housing
Rylander’s project has implications for the future of affordable housing:
Innovation: It encourages innovation in building techniques and design.
Sustainability: Advocates for environmentally-friendly construction.
Community: It promotes community involvement in housing solutions.
Accessibility: Provides potential models for making housing accessible to marginalized groups.
Rod Rylander’s efforts to construct "the sustainable home" in New Mexico serve as both a personal fulfillment and a community-focused initiative that could potentially lead the way for affordable housing solutions in an increasingly costly real estate landscape. By leveraging his expertise and experience, Rylander exemplifies the spirit of innovation and resilience, inviting others to learn from his journey in sustainable living.
FAQs
What is Rod Rylander’s sustainable home?
Rod Rylander’s sustainable home is an off-grid, solar-powered dwelling designed to address the housing crisis affordably. It is a prototype aimed at providing housing solutions for individuals with limited financial means, artists, veterans, and families facing financial hardships.
What building techniques does Rylander use?
Rylander employs various eco-friendly building techniques, including passive solar design, earth berming, and the use of repurposed materials such as tempered glass and rock. He combines these materials in innovative designs born from a lifelong commitment to sustainable living and environmental preservation.
How does the location of Animas, New Mexico, impact Rylander’s project?
The Animas area offers panoramic views, a mild climate, and relatively hands-off building regulations, fostering an environment conducive to Rylander’s experimental building methods. The availability of land at a reasonable cost also supports the feasibility of the project.
What are the financial implications of building alternative housing?
Alternative housing can present challenges such as difficulties in securing traditional mortgages due to lack of Certificates of Occupancy in certain rural areas. Despite this, Rylander seeks creative financing solutions that diverge from conventional methods, focusing on low-cost materials and self-sufficiency to minimize expenses.
References
Earthaven Ecovillage
Southwest Alternative Building Conference
Cochise County Opt-Out Permit
Are you inspired by Rod Rylander’s story? Do you want to learn more about sustainable living and affordable housing solutions? Start by researching local building codes, exploring alternative building methods, and connecting with like-minded individuals in your community. Together, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
