Bloonland, an Alternative Temporary Community
Bloonland is based just a few minutes walk from a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean on the border of Tuscany and Liguria. The land itself is based on terraces in a national park with plenty of old trees, dry stone walls and a view of the mountains in the back. We're just beginning the project and there is plenty of work to do to design and structure the land and make it a cosy, ecological paradise for anyone with the right mind-set.
No construction is allowed within the national park and so we live in a temporary structures such as yurts and tipis yet with running water, gas bottle for cooking and solar panels to provide lighting and basic energy needs. The idea is that there should be plenty of community spaces but that each temporary resident should be able to find their own space. Bloonland is not a kibbutz or an intentional community, rather it's a center of meetings, learning and a place to make magic happen. We open in April and close in October each year, taking the winter off to recharge and get inspired again with new projects for the following year.
Cooking
There will be a central kitchen and food storage area with cooking done on gas bottles, wood stoves or open fires, depending on the season and current population of Bloonland. Metal cases will be used to store food and keep it safe from scavengers. Refrigeration will be used to a limited degree through the clay pot system.
Water
Water needs to be sourced from outside the territory and once on site it will be channeled into cisterns to provide water for showers and laundry (utilising a natural solar warming system) and directly to the kitchen and water points for drinking, cooking and cultivation. Run-off water will be channeled to green points to keep the land clean and healthy.
Ecology Bloonland will use no detergents or chemical fertilisers and will provide natural soap for residents. No living trees will be touched and while food remains will be used for compost, plastic, metal and glass garbage will be taken away to be recycled.
Money Bloonland is non-profit so all visitors will be asked to contribute at least for their expenses.