In the past, this floatplane would either have been resupplying a remote settlement not yet reachable by road or carrying hunters or fishermen to a primitive cabin on holiday. But with currently available technologies, it could easily represent the "garage" of a comfortable year-round home and workplace located in the Alaskan panhandle miles from the nearest town.
Technologies are now available which permit the construction of zero-energy homes which, apart from drinking water, are completely self-sustaining. These homes are insulated so well and use passive solar gains so effectively that the waste heat generated by electric appliances and by the people inside are sufficient to heat the home. A wind turbine, photovoltaic panels or a micro-hydropower generator can easily generate enough electricity to run the best-of-class appliances required to live comfortably. In-home wastewater treatment units are currently being tested which, out of wastewater, urine and faeces, generate toilet flushwater, fertiliser for the garden, and organic sludge for the compost heap. In abundantly rainy climates, cisterns can store enough rainwater to supply the home with drinking water.
In short, homes will soon be available which are not only many times more efficient than those being built today, but are actually self-sustaining. In addition, they will be modular, expandable and recyclable. So the next time you find yourself dreaming of fleeing the stress of the city and working out of your home on a remote Alaskan lakeside, it may indeed be possible. Provided you don't mind mind sharing your backyard with the occasional grizzly bear.
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