THE ECO TEMPLE

Project coordinators

Justin Good and Jen Taylor
Executive Directors, The Sanctuary at Shepardfields (The Sanctuary)
59 Bogel Road, East Haddam, Connecticut www.oursanctuary.org

Architect and Builder
Hans Lohse, Lifespace Architecture and Interior Design www.lifespacearchitects.com

Technical Advisor
Abby Rockefeller, Resource Institute for Low Entropy Systems www.riles.org

Engineer
Michael G. Harris, PE www.harris-mgmt.com

CONCEPT
The composting toilet demonstrates the viability of small scale, decentralized, ecologically regenerative technologies.
This project relies on composting humanure and avoids issues and complications
associated with conventional wastewater treatment practices.

Composting is microhusbandry; specifically, the use of microorganisms along with soil,
moisture and oxygen, to biologically decompose organic residues, including humanure,  into soil, specifically, humus.
Humus is a stable material which is critical to soil fertility and  to soil’s ability to retain moisture.
It also releases nutrients essential for plant growth, helps  to balance soil pH,
and supports microbial populations that add life to the soil.
The composting process requires moisture, oxygen, temperature (and time),
and a good nitrogen/carbon (C/N) ratio (approximately 30/1)

SCHEMATIC OF THE CURING CHAMBER

      

   

SUSTAINABLE RELIEF