Giuseppe Mincone grew up in a humble family of eight and started working as a construction artisan from a young age. After years of traveling the world, his passion for music brought him to Umbria, where he discovered Centro Panta Rei, the largest eco-structure in Italy. That’s where he decided to put down roots, moving into his earth and straw house.

At Centro Panta Rei, Giuseppe – known as Beppe to everyone – was able to put his construction skills to use in the world of green building, becoming an expert in the field. Today, he takes care of the center and shares his knowledge to inspire a shift toward a more sustainable and nature-connected way of life.

Building at km0 with Permaculture

In Giuseppe's vision, green building and permaculture go hand in hand. Giuseppe explains:

For me, green building means looking around and being resourceful, using the materials the land gives you. If you’ve got trees, use wood; if you’ve got stone, use stone; if you’ve got good clay, use raw earth.

Building at km0 not only reduces the environmental impact but also creates a deeper, more respectful connection with the land, making each house unique and perfectly integrated into its natural surroundings.

The Benefits of Raw Earth Construction

At Centro Panta Rei, the clay soil enabled the construction of raw earth structures. Building an earth and straw house offers many tangible benefits, starting with reducing its ecological footprint.

Thanks to their constant interaction with the outside, the walls absorb excess moisture and slowly release it when the air dries out. This keeps the house warm in winter and cool in summer, while the straw provides excellent thermal insulation.

Plus, contrary to popular belief, Giuseppe explains that another key benefit of earth and straw construction is its high resistance to fires and earthquakes.

The Thermal Fireplace

Giuseppe's living house stands out not only for its use of raw earth as a building material but also for its cutting-edge solutions for heating and water treatment, reducing energy consumption thanks to high efficiency, especially in the medium to long term.

In winter, the house uses a thermal fireplace. The heat from the fireplace warms the water, which is then pumped through copper pipes embedded in one of the raw earth walls. This gives Giuseppe hot water for sanitation and a radiant wall that keeps the house warm for hours. This technology, along with solar panels in summer, ensures consistent thermal comfort with minimal environmental impact.

The Phytopurification System

Lastly, the phytopurification system carries greywater from the bathroom to a small artificial pond, where plants like reeds and rushes take on the job of filtering and purifying the water.

Through a natural biological process, the plant roots absorb nutrients and break down pollutants, leaving the water clean and safe. This purified water is then collected and reused for things like flushing toilets or watering the garden.

Not only does this system drastically cut down on potable water use, but it also creates a circular system, minimizing waste and making the most of natural resources in an efficient and sustainable way.

A Relationship of Mutual Care

Living in a house built with green building means living in a living house, one that constantly interacts with the outside environment and its inhabitants. This, Beppe explains, has profoundly changed how he views daily life. Lighting the fireplace, gathering wood, and managing water aren't just daily tasks; they’re moments of reflection that help him live more intentionally:

At first, a traditional house might look beautiful, but you get tired of it. The bond between me and this house, though, is like a relationship between two living beings. It's not just some lifeless object; it's something that breathes and lives with me.

This relationship of mutual care allows Giuseppe to reflect daily on the reasons behind his actions and their impact on the environment, helping him feel more connected and grateful for life.

In a Nutshell

Giuseppe lives at Centro Panta Rei, an ecovillage located in Passignano sul Trasimeno, which is also the largest eco-structure in Italy. Using natural materials and adopting cutting-edge solutions, Giuseppe shows us that it's possible to build and live in a house that respects the environment, while improving the physical and mental well-being of the inhabitants. His perspective on how we live and connect with our homes is a real inspiration for anyone looking to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle in tune with nature.