The Eco Architect Questions

What are they? Hmm… Good question.  I'm hoping to get some creative input here…

Partly because we're starting the process of eco building and it's time to research, discover, and apply some wisdom :~)  So please, if you've got some wisdom to share in general or about the specific questions below, please post your thoughts / links / questions / answers. Thanks

Here are some of my questions:

1. How to cool down rooms without airconditioning ?  For deserts, beaches, islands, places where it gets super hot…

2. How does one make organic soap, shampoo, and other bathroom products that can blend in nicely to a wastewater pond or permaculture type system to conserve and creatively use waste-water?

3. How do you optimally power a small village.  Solar panels last long, but are expensive, super complicated to build and not easy to source (esp. for developing countries / villages). Wind power is quite easy, and may be converted into energy by a simple rotor / propellor, an alternator from a second hand car, and a car battery? Hydro power is quite good during the rainy season or if you have a big river nearby.  Hooking up to the electricity grid - how do we know whether it makes eco-sense to do so? Bio-diesel is a new trend and pretty cool, but how do you get the stuff?  Is it really cost effective in developing countries where fuel / oil is cheaper to source the basic ingredients.

4. What is the process like in terms of strategizing on your building materials.  Looking at what's locally available in terms of wood / stone / clay / straw-bale?  What about sand?

5.  What are the basic principles for building a simple, modern day eco residence that is inexpensive, easy to construct, practical for temperature considerations, sturdy and weather resistant, alive with cool eco-water systems and vegetation, comfortable, and one that supports an ideal lifestyle with the associated creative, resting, social areas, and optimal kitchens and bathrooms? Anybody got any cool designs to share?  eco huts in the 21st century?  websites to refer us to? 

6. What are the elements of an ideal eco village?  Plantations, residences, workshops, entertainment / social spaces, meditation spots…. a body repair workshop, different 'creation zones' according to industries @ the village… what else?

7.  What are the core guiding principles of eco - construction?