Vlahoke

Vlahoke (uh-lah-hoe-ghee) will be an off-grid eco-learning space for hosting retreats, board meetings, spiritual gatherings, academic field immersive education and other events that provide guests an opportunity to interface with integrated regenerative systems. Vlahoke will feature a farm-to-table restaurant and a museum that serves as an educational platform centering on historical and contemporary Indigenous justice.

Vlahoke

1/13/1951 - 3/30/2019

Wotkvlke (Raccoon Clan)

As a founding resident and board member of Ekvn-Yefolecv, Vlahoke Patti Hall tate remained dedicated to manifesting the ecovillage vision for over a decade. Regarded as one of the foremost Maskoke genealogical researchers, she believed strongly in the revitalization of traditional Maskoke culture and the permanent return to traditional Maskoke homelands. Ekvn-Yefolecv honored our matriarch, prior to her passing, by naming the future eco-learning lodge, Vlahoke.

Introduction to Vlahoke

The Living Building Challenge (LBC) is the world’s most rigorous standard for green buildings. Going above and beyond LEED certification, the creation of Living Buildings is inspired by the elegance and efficiency of a flower. This means buildings are informed by respective bioregional ecological characteristics, generate all of their own energy with renewable resources, capture and treat all water while using the healthiest and most equitably sourced materials possible. The result is a building that is conceived for maximum beauty. Living Buildings strive for net-positive energy and use no toxic chemicals in their construction or operation.

The 20 imperatives of the LBC are grouped into 7 petals

Unpacking the meanings of the 7 petals in the Maskoke language

To be certified under the Challenge, projects must meet a series of ambitious performance requirements measured over a minimum of 12 months of continuous occupancy. Vlahoke is registered to achieve certification under the newest version of the LBC - Living Building Challenge 4.0, with the goal of joining the other 27 LBC certified buildings around the world. Ekvn-Yefolecv will be the first 4.0 LBC certified building in Alabama, meeting all criteria in the seven petals (with 20 imperatives) found in the chart below.

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Vlahoke will be able to accommodate up to 84 guests.

Conceptual Design Rendering

Biophilic design
100% of power being generated on-site:
lake-loop geothermal HVAC system
nickel iron battery solar system microgrid
solar thermal panels for direct production of hot water for both bathing and radiant heating of buildings.
timber frame with wood harvested from on-site
strawbale wall insulation
earthen floor
earthen wall plasters
living roofs
rocket mass heaters
4ft perlitecrete trenches/stemwalls for annualized thermal inertia
light tubes
wooden windows
barrel ovens
biodigesters for cooking fuel
kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities from locally reclaimed lumber
paperstone cabinet tops
recycled greywater for food forest irrigation

energy efficient chest freezers and refrigerators (each using only a little more than half a kilowatt hour per day)
intentionally designed to drastically reduce electrical loads
4-season greenhouse
Chinampa gardens on the lake
Food forests with paddocks for rotating chickens
Bathhouse nestled in the forest with two saunas
Guest pods are oriented for daylighting and passive solar gain
water 100% sourced from rain catchment (sediment filter, 0.5 micron filter, UV sterilizer) - when extra energy s available from the Solar PV system, this water will be pumped up to a series of cisterns on a nearby ridge so that gravity-pressurized water can be provided as needed.
limited wifi to reduce EMF pollution in the buildings
lighting designed to maintain views of the night sky
mechanical systems designed to be quiet enough to maintain the natural soundscape of the site.
off-grid solar charging station for electric vehicles.