Observation Tower (click to enlarge)
Observation Tower
Specifications: 123 sq. ft. interior, 104 sq. ft. 2nd story, 86 sq. ft. upper floor, total = 313 sq. ft. interior, plus roof deck, Footprint: 15′-6” diameter
Description: The Observation Tower for my Dome Fort (coming soon) could also be used for other purposes such as an office, pantry or even spare bedroom. The kids would love it. A spiraling staircase joins the first three floors, and a ladder provides access to the roof deck. Total height is 31’. The same tower is used in my Native Spirit home design.
Round Guard Tower (click to enlarge)
Specifications: 123 sq. ft. interior, 104 sq. ft. upper floor, total = 227 sq. ft. interior, plus roof deck, Footprint: 15′-6” diameter
Description: This guard tower for my Dome Fort could also be used for other purposes such as an office, pantry or even spare bedroom. The kids would love it (and big kids, too). A spiraling staircase joins the first and second floors, and a ladder provides access to the roof deck. Total height is 22’. The Round Guard Tower is the same as the Observation Tower except it is one floor (9’) shorter.
Observation Tower and Round Guard Tower plan
Do you think the observation tower could work as a cistern/water tower? Could it withstand the pressure if it were hollow and coated with pool plaster or something similar? Obviously the 2 floors add structural integrity, do the stairs as well? Maybe leave it all for maintenance? Or seal them off for 3 sections? It would have to have plumbing fittings with some sort of valve. Pressure is the main concern, in your opinion do you think it would hold? If not is there a good way to reinforce? Maybe some earth berming steep and high? Thanks for any feedback or discussion from anyone
Interesting idea. Yes, it could work with some proper detailing. I would bury the first few feet in the ground to make sure the base is stable. Add plastic plaster mesh on both sides tied together through the wall. (Add lengths of baling twine after each course.) Use tubes instead of bags so it’s more integrated. Two strands 4-point barbed wire. Berming around the base is good where the stress is greatest. Hire expert pool plasterers at least on the outside. Stabilize the bags with lime or cement. Delete the stairs. Plumbing is relatively easy. Include a drain at the very bottom for cleaning/draining the cistern. Add a hatch on top for access so you can clean the inside. Build a simple tool shed, etc. to first develop your skills. Have the best worker supervisor/check every step to make sure there are no soft spots or other errors. Use a center pole to guide the construction.
Since the two larger towers with the dome fort would already make great guest houses, I was thinking of making one of the observation towers a smokehouse and the other a sauna. If it was all built as planned, however, it would make a great theme B&B.
Come spend the night at an off-grid, earth friendly, working farm that looks like a castle!
Yeah, the possibilities are endless. Lots of resorts and eco resorts build innovative structures to attract guests.