“Debt-free living and sustainable construction.” Does that sound like a dream? Here at Friland, it’s reality. Friland is an eco-community in Djursland. People here experiment with sustainable lifestyles. They focus on debt-free living and independent work.
Friland was founded in 2002. It has grown twice since then. Since 2014, Friland has 40 households. That’s about 75 adults and 40 children.
Here at Friland, residents build experimental houses. They use natural and recycled materials. They try to have a low environmental impact. Residents test alternative materials and building methods. Houses include straw bale houses plastered with clay. Some houses are wood-clad. They are insulated with wood fibre, sheep’s wool, flax, and hemp. Alternative foundations use compacted seashells. Many houses have green living roofs. Buildings at Friland must meet national building rules.
One of Friland’s main goals is to be debt-free. They want to build and live with low costs. They aim for financial freedom. Residents here cannot get loans secured by the land or houses. House prices are set at a maximum per square meter. This avoids speculation in land and house values.
It is intended that at least one person per household is self-employed. They may also work from home. Local businesses support a living village. They also offer an alternative to commuting. Part of Friland is a business area. This area is for Friland residents and locals.
To ensure variety, Friland residents come from diverse backgrounds. They have different business and cultural experiences. The community values practical, intellectual, and human qualities. About 10 nationalities are represented here at Friland.
The shareholders association holds a common meeting. It includes a communal meal about six times a year. They also arrange community work days. Other activities arise from resident initiatives. These might include a food co-op, craft nights, or a music café. They could also be a Christmas party or a shared garden.
Friland aims to minimize waste in construction and daily life. Waste is sorted. Recyclable waste is sent for recycling. Friland residents experiment with reducing energy and resource use. They do this by insulating houses well. They also build smaller houses and use renewable energy. Many houses have masonry stoves as the main heat source. These fireplaces use wood efficiently. They burn wood at high temperatures. This helps gases combust and reduces particle emissions.
Residents handle their own wastewater disposal. They use individual or shared systems. These systems rely on plant evaporation, filtration, and biological purification. Residents must be careful about what goes into their wastewater. This includes soap, cleaning products, cosmetics, and medicine.
The land here is owned by a foundation. The foundation lends the land to the community. Each shareholder has a plot for houses and gardens. Friland also has common areas. These include a playground, a lake, fruit trees, and a vegetable garden. Members of the association maintain the common areas.
You are welcome to walk through Friland. Look at the houses and gardens. Please respect people’s privacy. Friland also arranges tours, workshops, and courses. You can participate in smaller events several times a year. Friland is a unique community. Residents strive to live in harmony. They live in harmony with nature and each other.