Dream House | An unconventional land of dreams at Source Farm Ecovillage

Are you living in a world where you feel very protected, extremely happy and healthy, fully appreciated, and so very satisfied with life?

There is a fruited place blessed with a spring, hiking trails, and farmland in Johns Town, St Thomas. A quiet expanse of 63 acres, relishing scenic vistas of the sea, Morant Bay, and the Blue Mountains. Here, we unearth a nature-friendly, communal residential village, unlike anything you have ever witnessed before.

Attracting people of different nationalities, and socio-economic backgrounds, we find them working and living together in spiritual solidarity with mother nature, for the conservation and preservation of our planet.

Social life here in this unconventional land of dreams offers a holistic programme of yoga; massage; spiritual baths; energy medicine; meditation and healing retreats of spirit, soul, and body. Not to be omitted in this model lifestyle, you will experience organic and natural gardening and farming; craft and cultural activities; school, and imperatively, the community outreach initiatives for St John, and the wider parish.

Residents connect weekly for general meetings and dine together as a big family (whenever possible) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner - all provided by the culinary efforts of the community kitchen.

The architecture of the circular homes here are monolithic domes, with a steel-reinforced concrete shell, rendered smooth to the touch.

They have significant strength, are better able to resist hurricanes and earthquakes, are easier to construct, and cost less than conventional concrete buildings.

These hemispherical structures, with their semi-circular, arched, columned porches, are a pleasing sight with their features, such as miniature (six-inch diameter) skylights inviting the sunlight in, awakening all desires. The floors are of concrete, dyed in red. The purity of the colour white on the exterior, with the wavelengths of light reflected off it, is attention-grabbing.

This 1,500-square-foot double-dome, three-bedroom home, took three months to build on its own quarter - of - an acre, multi-year leased plot. As a necessity, it has its own rainwater catchment area and is not dependent on JPS or NWC utility companies. Electricity is generated by wind turbines. A kitchen garden adds to the self-sufficiency enjoyed.

The sustainable community was conceptualised by Blondel Shirley - Atwater, with her two children, Nicola Shirley - Philips and Dwight Shirley. They left Jamaica for America in the eighties, and have returned 10 years now.

Dwight is the creative energy behind the houses, designing and building them. He studied interior architecture and is also the head gardener.

This my friends is the Source Farm Ecovillage. Could this be the manner of living that gives more meaning and depth to a happy existence?

Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barry-rattray@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com