Designing Ecological Habitats - Gaia Education

appropriate tecHnology: searcHing for tHe rigHt fit 151
potential of adapting Western technologies to fit a Third World tropical
setting. We are now growing our own fuel source for our gasifier to assure a
substantial and sustainable supply. Usable materials from our first test plot
will be available in two years. We are equally excited about the potential of
setting up a pilot project of the Lucia Stove in our home town. This is an
example of appropriate technology adapted to real world settings.
John Vermeulen was born in South Africa from Dutch decent and lived in both countries
for an extensive time. During his internship as a mechanical engineer for the merchant
marines, he sailed around the world twice in a year and was exposed to numerous
enlightening cultures. After having worked in the installation and production of logistic
systems for several years, he completed his Master studies as an Industrial Designer
-Three Dimensional. At the Design Indaba of 2006 held in Cape Town, South Africa, he
won the prize for the Most Innovative Design with a tricycle model for a sustainable rural
transport project affiliated with SABS. Having been based in the Philippines since 2008, he
designed, constructed and completed a 2 year Eco-Homestead, Green Bed & Breakfast Inn
& Resilience Center project at Cabiao, Philippines, named Tuwâ the Laughing Fish. He now
lives off-grid & promotes a low-carbon lifestyle and is an active EDE facilitator.
Kevin Velasco is a 17 year-old film student at The University of the Philippines Diliman.
He is the son of Penelope Reyes and resides at Tuwâ the Laughing Fish. As a child he
was raised to think critically. For as long as he can remember, he has had an interest with
electricity, electronics and energy. At Tuwâ, he trained with Jim Mason of All Power Labs on
gasification, where he worked on the programming of the Gasifier Control Unit (GCU) along
with Bear Kaufman.