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