Triple Roundhouse Cluster (click to enlarge)
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 roundhouses on either side can be used as bedrooms, home offices, studios, etc. This design features 6′ French doors, and windows high in the wall 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.
Triple Roundhouse Cluster (click to enlarge)
Earthbag House Plans 
do you have detailed plans available for this design?
Plans are available through Dream Green Homes: http://www.dreamgreenhomes.com/materials/earth/earthbags.htm
They are all set up for online orders with credit cards and Pay Pal.
where can i find open source but decent floor plans for a house in the middle of Uganda? Credit cards are only for rich people and this info could help poor people in rural parts of the world more..its sad that while they have all the materials required to build a greener quality home, they have to find 300$ to buy a floor plan. 1$ is hard enough to find….some have never seen a dollar.
Well, I started Free House Plans blog (http://freehouseplans.wordpress.com) with the intention of offering numerous free plans, but lately I’ve been extremely busy and unable to keep up. But in most cases people like you describe don’t need plans. There are probably no building codes or inspections, and they can only build something small and simple. What they’re lacking is information on alternative/sustainable housing. All my websites provide just this sort of information for free — dozens if not hundreds of pages of free information on building super cheap houses.
See: Earthbag Building Blog, EarthbagBuilding.com, GRISB.org, Straw Bale House Plans blog, GRISB Sustainable Building Blog.
(These links used to be in the right hand column. Not sure what happened to them.)
Hello
I really love this design. I am looking to build an earthbermed house in PA and am nervous about using earth bags. I have met some people who have made them in upstate ny and have had moisture and insect problems. I was wondering if this design could be accomplished using different materials, such as surface bonded cement blocks and cord wood? I am also wondering, if i wanted a custom plan where do i go to ask for it.
Thank you for your time and your inspiring work.
There shouldn’t be any moisture or insect problems if the house is built correctly. That’s the first step — learn what they did wrong.
Or you can build with different materials: scoria-filled bags, cordwood, aerated block, stone, etc.
Email me at strawhouses [at] yahoo.com with specific requests and price quotes.
I liked the Triple Roundhouse Cluster. I want to repeat it in Ukraine.
Questions:
1.Is it possible for our climate (winter-30C * summer +45 C* )?
2. TheWood stoves heats the whole house?
Use insulation as fill material in the bags for extreme climates such as yours. Insulation in bags is less stable than soil-filled bags, so build a post and beam system. Perlite, for example, would give you R-40 walls. (2.7 x 15″ = R-40) This is double so called superinsulated homes. Add comparable insulation in the roof and you’ll have the most comfortable home in the country.
You’ll need additional heat for extreme cold regions. I would put a small heater in each roundhouse or add radiant floor heating.
7 blade ceiling fans have much better performance compared to those three bladed fans .,~
Hi Owen,
This design is interesting. I live with hills all around my current home. I want to take advantage of all of these slopes and steep hills, but how is this design possible when there are trees at the tops of the hills on my property. How does one prevent a cave-in during construction? Is the earth removed first and then replaced. If so that could get costly in terms of machinery needed.
The house sits at the base of the hill and so lots of soil does not have to be excavated. You can decide where to build and how much soil to remove. You’ll want to add a drainage ditch above the house to divert upslope water so it flows around your house..
Hello Mr. Geiger,
I am really interested in this design but I was wondering if it would be possible to make these 2 stories instead of one increasing the square footage a tad for a larger family? I want to berm the three sides but not have a living roof. I am taking baby steps for my husband who has a fear of being buried alive.
Yes, this is possible if you order a custom plan. Write me for ordering details at natural houses [at] gmail [dot] com