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A House on the Prairie

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1978 17 min
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This documentary describes the unfortunate legacy of the lone house on the prairie, an example of a dwelling entirely unsuited for the harsh winter or summer. We meet some builders and home owners experimenting with designs that are more energy efficient, such as the dome, the underground house and a ranch with wind, solar energy and methane gas from animal waste.

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A House on the Prairie

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This documentary describes the unfortunate legacy of the lone house on the prairie, an example of a dwelling entirely unsuited for the harsh winter or summer. We meet some builders and home owners experimenting with designs that are more energy efficient, such as the dome, the underground house and a ranch with wind, solar energy and methane gas from animal waste.

Geography and Geology Environment and Conservation Architecture All subjects
  • director
    Ron Bashford
    Bob Lower
  • producer
    Jerry Krepakevich
  • executive producer
    Michael Scott
  • script
    Bob Lower
  • editing
    Bob Lower
  • camera
    Larry Todd
    Allan Kroeker
  • sound
    Brian Swystun
  • re-recording
    Clive Perry
  • narrator
    Ann Henry
    Frank Adamson
  • music
    Richard Condie

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Education

Ages 12 to 17
School subjects
Geography - Human Geography Geography - Territory: Regional History - Early Colonization/Settlement Technology Education - Environment and Technology
Previewing: Consider the harsh climate of the Canadian prairies, especially in winter. Examine the modern-day construction of existing housing and how it is inefficient. Discuss the various types of innovative housing seen in the film; in what ways are they more efficient? Discuss: The use of active and passive solar heating is still in its infancy. In the years since the film was made, consider how far we have come in improving energy efficiency in our homes.
A House on the Prairie
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