The Greenhouse of the Future 2014
Distributed by Green Planet Films, PO Box 247, Corte Madera, CA 94976-0247; 415-377-5471
Produced by Curt Close
Directed by Curt Close
DVD , color, 70 min. French with dubbed English. No closed captions.
General Adult
Sustainable Living
Date Entered: 02/18/2016
Reviewed by James Gordon, University at Buffalo LibrariesThis enjoyable how-to movie guides you through the steps of building a wood-frame house using sustainable building techniques. You will see the materials, tools and skills required as a house is built from the foundation up. The film’s title really should be “The Green House of the Future,” as this about building a residence, not a greenhouse for plants, but don’t worry about the English translation because otherwise it is excellent.
A typical “how to” guide can be dry and boring. This one is lively and engaging. Curt Close did a masterful job. The DVD comes with excellent eBooks. Even architectural plans are included. You’ll be amazed at how good this documentation is.
I don’t recommend you watch the movie and schedule your house building party minutes after screening. You can take these plans with your own ideas to an architect and incorporate sustainable concepts in any new residential home. If you teach courses in sustainability, this movie will inspire and motivate your students that it is possible and practical to build new houses with energy autonomy in mind.