Recreating Eden: Designing Paradise (Video)

Image: John Hardy’s Green Lifestyle in Bali is the epitome of modern economic lifestyle in harmony with nature.

Image Source: mygreenlifestyle.fr: JOHN HARDY : what if we changed the world with our jewels?

Has John Hardy discovered the Ultimate Expression of “the PeapodLife” in Bali?

"We’re living in one of the most beautiful places on the planet we don’t need ornamentation."
~ John Hardy
Source: recreatingeden.com: Designing Paradise

In the west, we hear terms like “green living,” “eco-lifestyle” and the like thrown about like a Frisbee. These buzz-words span the sustainability spectrum from flat-out green washing to living off-grid under a rock in the Yukon.  But what does it really mean, practically speaking?

Most “environmentally friendly” consumers in Canada fall somewhere in the middle of the sustainability continuum, buying energy efficient homes, Energy Star appliances and organic food (when they can get it and can afford it), and try to recycle and ride their bike to work as much as possible.

But is that really “green?” Even those who have small gardens or participate in community permaculture projects in Toronto and other cities…how connected are people with their environment? Is it even conceivable given North American climate and lifestyle to imagine something different?

Is it possible for us to visit a place that successfully melds the demands of modern economics and lifestyle with truly green living? Living one with nature in mutual symbiosis?

Canadian-born luxury jeweler Tom Hardy has an answer. He not only lives in Bali, his sprawling estate includes organic permaculture and aquatic farming, renewable energy, waste reclamation and a jewelry design and crafting operation employing over 500 people.

Watch the video: Recreating Eden, Designing Paradise (full episode) and see for yourself.


But let’s be honest: how realistic is this in Canada? For starters, we don’t have bamboo. And while the Innuit can live in ice houses up north, igloos are not a practical solution for the winter month in Southern Ontario. Lastly, what about fall and spring?

Layer on the other realities of living in Canada, we are stuck with a bit of a conundrum. And yet, there is hope!

Tom Hardy has captured the essence of what PeapodLife is: fresh air, living water, organic food, a healthy shelter that is one with nature. The difference is, whereas in Bali and elsewhere around the world (and up until the 20th Century), nature can support it, in Canada, we support nature.

Image: John Hardy and his daughter Elora Hardy
Image Source: bodw.com: Business on Design Week: SPEAKERS: John Hardy, Founder Green School + Elora Hardy, CEO & Creative Director Ibuku

In many ways, PeapodLife represents a complete turnaround…not an evolution of living, a REVOLUTION in living. Human structures and technology supporting indoor ecosystems, which then, in turn, turnaround and support us right back! In this simple way alone PeapodLife is truly “revolutionary.”

When you think about “recreating eden,” you have to begin with an origin; a foundation. Tom Hardy began with what he had to work with: the lush living natural surroundings of Bali, and he’s not stopping with his home and business. He has moved onto Green Education, which you can learn more about on the inaugural Genesis Foundation Blog.

PeapodLife begins with what we have to work with: our modern homes, sick buildings, and concrete jungles of cold steel and glass…lifeless…draining…stressful.

But what if we can turn the lifeless interiors of our modern post-industrial cityscapes (Toronto, Hamilton, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver et al) into Advanced Human Habitats capable of supporting that very essence of the lush Balinese lifestyle? This is the revolutionary genius of the PeapodLife for Canada.

Watch the Full Episode of Recreating Eden: Designing Paradise online now at: http://ww3.tvo.org/video/162999/recreating-eden-designing-paradise