Our Story

How did the OHIO Ecohouse come about?

In the summer of 2004 faculty members, students of Ohio University, and concerned citizens of Athens County began meeting to discuss the possibility of transforming a university-owned house into a learning center about ecologically sustainable lifestyles. Support for the idea was provided by the university's Ecology and Energy Conservation Committee. This discussion soon led to a formal request to the university, and in January of 2005 this request was granted. A brick house on Dairy Lane was made available for this purpose.

Since that time, we have been amazed at how quickly further support for the Ecohouse has materialized. In five short months, more than $60,000 had been obtained in grants to support this project. Three students moved into the house in June 2005, a vegetable garden was established, and a solar electric array was installed in August 2005. A solar hot water system was installed soon after. The Ecohouse is truly an "idea whose time had come."