Help us build the Common House

The world needs inspiring learning centers where all generations can visit to experience a low impact yet high quality of life.  It is actually pretty easy once you have seen it.  All we need are quality, hands on working models to learn from and leaders to make it grow.  Our primary goal as a company is to build a trade school focused on leadership training for sustainable development.  We aim to help those who want to build social/environmental organizations and share with others what they have learned.  The learning centers, along with our construction division will provide internships for students who want to assist in designing and building those learning centers in other locations around the globe.  Each learning center will be appropriate to its climate and culture, and will all be centred around permaculture, a nature mimicry design science.



But First....   

WE NEED YOU to help us build the Common House at the Seneca Treehouse Project (STP).

STP is an intentional community, learning center and demonstration site for sustainable development.

As a Treehouse Internatural company, Our mission is to inspire people to live in harmony with our planet.

We provide temporary housing along with hands on training in construction, permaculture design, food production, personal achievement, and social/environmental business development.  After 10 years in the making, we are in the final stages of completion. 

We are asking for your help to raise the remaining funds to build our Common House. The Common House will be used as the main gathering spot for workshops, meals, tours, and private events. 

 As with all of the structures at the Seneca Treehouse, we always design for inspiration & education.  In comparison to standard development, our buildings reduce resource consumption both during the construction phase and throughout the life of the project.  With a goal to approach true net zero status, we also plant edible and medicinal landscaping around the structures as well as replanting timber trees to replace the materials used to build, and offset our carbon footprint.

WHAT YOU GET for your donation varies: Scroll all the way down to see our rewards. 

When we are done, we will be free to focus on curriculum development & staff acquisition for Treehouse Trade School.  

Here is our floorplan, along with a picture of another complete dome that will resemble ours.

The Common House will be a 29' geodesic dome with three extensions.  We are using specialized connectors from Natural Space Domes, along with southern yellow pine and plywood produced in the southeastern United States.  As a benefit corporation, we always do our best to source all building materials locally  and from ethical companies. 

Here are some sweet geodome stats in comparison to standard construction. 

Energy Efficiency: heating and cooling costs are 60-80% less
Secure from Storms: Able to withstand hurricane force winds
Fast Assembly: The domes use the same size pieces around the dome, so all pieces can be precut. Setup time for the main struts usually takes less than a week. 
Materials: the Domes uses 60% less framing materials than typical box houses.  

We already have
- Excavator & form boards
- Concrete for the footing & monolithic slab provided by Thomas Concrete
- In Slab Plumbing, conduit, and thermal water piping provided by MDI (Marion Davis Incorporated) 
- Labor expenses covered through the Dry In Process.

WHAT WE NEED
40 2x8x10 
55 2x8x8 
40 sheets 3/4" plywood
50 2x4x16
Water barrier
Geodome Connectors
Nails & Screws
Windows & Doors
Electrical Components

We want to thank the above mentioned companies along with with Yoder's Building Supply, 94.1 The Lake, City Talk Radio and all of the other sponsors and volunteers who have helped us get to where we are today. 

Stay tuned with our progress & what's to come via Social Media, or Join our mailing list at www.SenecaTreehouse.org

We appreciate you and look forward to seeing your presence at the Seneca Treehouse Project.

With love,

Team Treehouse

p.s.

Scroll All the way down for the Rewards! 

In case you're wondering what we have been up to so far this year, here is a list of some good stuff that's been happening at the Seneca Treehouse Project. 

2019 Accomplishments
-hosted a  total of 8 internships
-built the greenhouse & surrounding retaining walls - Sponsored in part by Yoder's Building Supply, Clemson GIVE, and some help from our neighbors. 
-started Abel's Nursery and started 2000 cuttings and tree seeds for future reforestation
-removed hazardous trees next to the house and milled wood for sale and for construction.
-replanted 20 new trees in place of the two taken down.  
-rebuilt the neighbor's shed
-finished all underground septic and greywater systems
-finished all chicken fencing
-established annual garden
-harvested 20 gallons of fruit from established orchard
-completed construction training program for 6 people
-completed permaculture design program for 5 people
-completed Landmark - self development program for 7 people
-completed foundations for the Store Front and second Tree house.

Above: Some of the folks we had the pleasure of working with this year.  From left: Abel, Garrett, Malcolm, Rachael, Bob, Chelsea, and Max
Above: The Septic and greywater systems that we use are a half round infiltration system, which allows for tree roots to grow into without clogging water flow. 
Above: Matthew and Hunter doing some stone work
Above: We had just finished Installing this custom Cabinet and wooden countertop.  Thank you to Jenn & Steve, and all of the other clients who have helped us earn the money to build the Seneca Treehouse Project so far! 
A team building exercise with Russ Warmath.  It involved throwing a ball, so of course, Malcolm wanted to be involved.
Grew a lot of fruits this year including Persimmons, Kiwi, Prickly pear, blueberries, blackberries, and elderberries. 
And Abel seen here grazing on onions became a big brother :)


THE REWARDS!
 We have some standard sponsorship levels posted on our web site.  Those levels start at $100 and can be seen at https://www.senecatreehouse.org/become-a-sponsor 

For those of you who are looking for a smaller donation, here is what we have:

$10 - 1 gallon potted tree or perennial that you can plant at home. 
$10 - water bottle
$20 - T-shirt
$25 - 3 gallon potted tree or perennial
$35 - Ticket to our New Years Eve Party and Opening Event! 
$50 - Tour of the Seneca Treehouse Project
$100 - One night stay in your room of choice at the Seneca Treehouse
$250 - Weekend Stay at the Seneca Treehouse - Includes breakfast & a tour of the project. 


Thank you for helping us build the Common House so that we can all work together to find our common ground.