Ecofriendly house draws visitors in Cebu

CEBU CITY—Environmentalists, families and students come in droves to a three-storey house in Barangay Talamban here to learn about energy conservation and sound environmental practices.

Since the home opened to the public in 2007, former Councilor Nestor Archival entertains at least 700 guests a week who are drawn by the unusual materials used to build the house—wine bottles, soda cans and tetrapaks

Now, the House Close to Nature has become part of the ecotourism and heritage program of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

Archival said his ecohouse was a product of what he learned in the city council where he sat as chair of the committee on environment.

The house covers 200 square meters and sits on a 7,000 square-meter lot.

Archival, an engineer by profession, said he invested P7 million to build it.

The house makes use of solar panels for part of its electric consumption.

Wastes are processed in several ways. Non-biodegradable wastes undergo vermicomposting, which produces the fertilizer vermicast. The fertilizer is sold at P20 per kilo.

At least 12 people work in the house. They also work in shifts to collect wastes from Carbon Market for use in vermi composting. Plastics are shredded and mixed with cement to produce hollow blocks.

Archival’s organic garden grows carrots, patola, pechay, malunggay and squash. These are used in dishes served to visitors in his organic restaurant.

Archival also installed rooftop water catchments which collect rainwater. Water collected on the roof is used for flushing of toilets, laundry and watering of plants.

The fishpond is filled with different fish species such as ungon, coi and tilapia.

Within the property is a tree house where his scholars—elementary and college students—spend time on music lessons. The children are also taught about environmental practices and are assigned chores.