Specifications: 846 sq. ft. interior, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, Footprint: 36′ x 48′ not including cisterns
Description: Zero Energy One is a major step forward in sustainable housing. This revolutionary design features zero net energy use, extremely low ‘near zero’ embodied energy and extremely low cost of around $10/square foot (cost of shell, excluding energy systems). This design is the result of years of research in energy efficiency and low cost, alternative building methods.
In contrast, most zero energy homes are in the $1/4 million range, and utilize complex and expensive technologies that are unaffordable to the vast majority. In my opinion, these homes are not truly sustainable due to their size, cost, use of high embodied energy materials and complexity.
Zero net energy use: Optimized passive solar design, balanced superinsulation/thermal mass, earth sheltering, PV panels, solar hot water, airlock entries, wood stove with water jacket runs hot water through built-in bench and bed, solar wall oven, cool pantry, roofwater catchment, energy-efficient appliances, indoor herb and flower garden, optional composting toilet and greywater recycling.
Near zero embodied energy construction: Earthbag construction using recycled grain bags and other recycled materials, earth, gravel, scoria, earthen floors, earthen interior plaster, lime exterior plaster, pallet wood trusses (non-code building areas, otherwise factory trusses), rice hull roof insulation, recycled content metal roofing.
Specifications: 792 sq. ft. interior, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, Footprint: 25′ x 39′
Description: I grew up in Iowa and Nebraska where this style of architecture is prevalent. Classic styled farmhouses are extremely practical. This particular design is a variation of my Double Wide. Changes include 10.5′ high walls on the north half, shed roof on the south half, loft over the bath and bedroom, single framed wall down the center, and a few other minor changes to doors and windows. This is a good design for building in stages, including adding additions later.
Specifications: 24 sq. ft. interior diameter = 452 sq. ft., plus 300 sq. ft. bedroom loft, 752 sq. ft. interior total, Footprint: 34′ x 34′
Description: This dome maximizes daylight and views, in an open, airy design. Buttresses and earthbag benches reinforce the base on all sides. Interior can be finished per owner specs.
Celestial Sunflower Earthbag Dome - Partial Section
Specifications: 133 sq. ft. interior main dome, 38 sq. ft. loft, 78 sq. ft. small dome, plus 8 sq. ft. vault, 257 sq. ft. interior total, Footprint: 16′ x 29′ plus benches
Description: Like other tiny houses, Tinyville provides just the basics in a compact space. It is intended as a starter house for those with little or no building experience and very little money. This design joins a 13′ interior diameter main dome with loft and a 10′ interior diameter small dome, with a vaulted passageway.
Specifications: 785 sq. ft. interior, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, Footprint: 28′ x 58′ plus buttresses
Description: This design connects three sloped roof roundhouses and adjoining closets to create a unique roundhouse cluster design that is earth-sheltered on three sides — east, west and north — with a sunny courtyard on the south. The 16′ bedroom domes are shown without furniture to highlight how they can be used as home offices, studios, etc. This design features 6′ French doors and tall arched windows in each roundhouse, large walk-in closets, high exposed wood ceilings and exceptional energy performance. With the addition of a few features such as ceiling fans, heat recovery ventilation, solar panels and solar hot water heat, this design would meet zero energy standards. Round earthbag structures are inherently stronger than rectilinear designs, and the heavy timber roof provides exceptional strength as well.
Customers are combining my designs in many new and interesting ways. Most of my designs are intentionally small and simple in order to keep costs low. But some people want larger houses. This can be achieved by clustering domes, roundhouses, hexagons, and adding on pantries, sun rooms, greenhouses, etc. to create a home just the way you like.
Some of these designs are truly unique. Here are three examples:
Date: 7 days, April 19-25, 2010
Cost: $500 includes excellent hotel, shuttle van, breakfasts, dinners, snacks
Location: Sakon Nakhon, Northeast Thailand
Instructor: Owen Geiger
Email: strawhouses [@] yahoo dot com
Roundhouse information:
Round earthbag office, 15’ interior diameter, 18” walls, earthbag foundation
Wood doors and windows, small bathroom, earthbag benches
16 sided wood bond beam, steel compression ring
16 sided roof is framed with 8 wood poles and milled lumber, plus terra cotta tile
Exposed wood ceiling with peeled eucalyptus saplings
Cupola with vents for natural convection cooling
Earthbag Round Office
General building plan:
Goal: build walls and roof in one week (some parts won’t be completely finished, such as the plaster and roof tiles, but we will do as much as we can so you get at least some experience on each step of construction)
Hard, dirty work will be completed before the workshop (earthwork, digging trenches, peeling poles, etc.) so the focus can remain on learning
Workshop participants can assist with any or all building activities as they choose (ex: you may or may not want to climb on the roof, that’s okay)
The emphasis is on hands-on learning, although there will be short training periods throughout the day with white board, and question and answer sessions.
Specifications: 8′ diameter interior, 50 sq. ft. interior, Footprint: 11′ diameter plus buttress/retaining walls
Description:This dome was designed and built for Mother Earth News magazine, which is now available in print (August/September 2009) and online.
It was designed as a low-cost multipurpose farmstead structure that could be used as a rootcellar, storm shelter, garden shed, cool pantry or even chicken coop.
Mother Earth News Earthbag Dome Floorplan
Mother Earth News Earthbag Dome
You Tube dome video showing the main steps of construction:
A lot has happened in the past 5 months, as you can see. There are now 103 plans for your viewing pleasure. The next step is to complete the elevation drawings, of which about 50 have been finished so far.
If you are wondering where to purchase these plans, most of my plans are available through Dream Green Homes.
I added a new page on Building Details to better explain my plans and ideas. Hope this helps. And be sure to also read the Introduction to learn how you can build these plans for around $10/sq. ft. (materials only) if you do the work yourself.
All home plans use natural building materials such as earthbags, earth plaster, earth floors, recycled materials, lava rock (scoria) and rice hulls to keep costs to a minimum and reduce our impact on the environment.
Please note: Details like porches, decks, etc. have been deleted for the most part so drawings better fit the limited space on this blog.
Also note, the plans are in no particular order. Some of the best plans are buried on the last (first) pages. You may find it easiest to browse by Categories — Domes, Roundhouses, etc. — by using the menu in the right column.
This site is set up to gather your feedback. I look forward to hearing your comments!
Specifications: 357 sq. ft. interior, plus 357 sq.ft. 2nd story, total 714 sq. ft. interior, Footprint: 20′ x 24′ not including decks or benches
Description: The second floor of this versatile garage plan can be readily converted into an apartment. With some modifications, it could also make a nice home.
Kalypso Earthbag Garage/Storage Loft North Elevation
Kalypso Earthbag Garage/Storage Loft East Elevation
