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feeds the existing water tank. This systemturns on automatically whenever there is solarenergy to be gained. The second, passivesystemsis a seasonal application in ourCanadian climate. It includes a solar collectorwith a water storage tank mounted directlyabove it. There is no pump or any movingparts; the natural circulation is driven by thesu n.The gas boiler provides additional hot waterheating when required during dull days in themiddle of winter. The system is easy to installand relatively inexpensivecompared to active solar system like photovoltaics. The system cost approximately$4,000.From an architectural perspective buildingthis home has taught Cheryl a great dealabout how people perceive theirenvironment. The opportunity to custombuild your own home forces you to learn andthink about how you live in spaces and whatyou will be doing in space and how thedifferent features will affect you. In ourmodern world, we mold ourselves to fit ourcookie cutter homes. Instead, when we use our natural abilities to build our ownshelter it changes our relationship with the spaces. The connection to the space andsite becomes much more intimate. The space actually expresses your values. It is anexpression of who we are. So, what does that mean if we all live in a cookie cutterhome built by an engineer or designer completely disconnected from us and who weare ?Building your own home puts you through a process that forces you to think deeplyabout how you live and what you do. Most architects and designers find it toodifficult to accept this.157