Ten years ago, Houstonians Cas and Gita Vanwoerden bought a piece of land in Cat Spring, Texas, 60 miles west of the city. Their intention to build a house on their 70 acres grew into much more: Animal Farm became a home, an animal sanctuary, and a learning center for sustainability issues.

The family’s home was designed by a friend who used many natural materials and tried to make it blend into the wooded environment. The exterior is surrounded by covered porches that provide shade. Air flow through eight sliding glass doors keeps the whole house cool in the summer – no air conditioning required.

Photovoltaic cells provide most of their power; a small refrigerator, a tankless water heating system, and an oven run on propane.

In addition to various structures to house their many animals and a large organic garden, the Vandworeden’s built a learning center on their property, which accommodates classes in permaculture, renewable energy, and ecodesign.

For more on Animal Farm, visit http://www.neosoft.com/~animalfm.