Specifications: Main pod = 372 sq. ft., double bedroom pod = 372 sq. ft., master bedroom pod = 372 sq. ft., connecting spaces = 220 sq. ft., total = 1,336 sq. ft. interior, Footprint: 42′ x 87′
Description: This design connects hexagonal pods or modules that can be arranged in various configurations using more or fewer pods. This enables the home to be built one stage at a time. The bonus room in the double bedroom pod can be used as a study, etc. The bonus room in the master bedroom pod can serve as a home office, guest room, etc.
Here’s another configuration using two pods.
Are you familiar with Airform construction used in the Monolithic Dome Homes?
Could the earthbag building principles be used to make something like the homes in the sample floor plans below?
http://www.monolithic.com/topics/floorplans
http://shop.monolithic.com/collections/construction-drawings/products/construction-drawings-dl-4003
The floorplan can be the same, but the curvature can’t if you use standard earthbag methods. Earthbag domes are not as rounded.
See my Enviro Dome for example: https://earthbagplans.wordpress.com/2010/10/09/enviro-earthbag-dome-2/
However, I’m developing a rounded earthbag building method with some people in Chile. Email me from the About page (see link top of page). You could be the first customer in the US and it would be engineered to meet codes.
I want to build an earthbag home is southern Ecuador (already decided on that construction method). Half the year is dry and the other half is heavy rain. I like your 3-pod house plan with the kitchen pod in the center. For cost reasons I don’t think I can build the whole home at this time. My questions are:
1. How does one build one pod now (the kitchen pod, say) and then add others later? i.e., how is a 2nd earthbag structure added/connected to an existing earthbag structure?
2) You give the square feet as 372 for one pod. I hope that’s the inside square footage? And, I calculate that the inside edge of the hexagon is almost 12 ft?
3) The home will be off the grid. Any suggestions about how to connect solar panels to the roof?
(And, I can’t find the price(s) for the plans, which I’m sure I saw once before.)
Thanks for your time,
–Reed
There are several ways to add on. It’s not difficult if you’ve planned for this. The main thing is to build the doors or at least the doorways in the necessary places. Methods include: 1. stair-stepping earthbags where future walls will be. This would look like a buttress. http://earthbagbuilding.wordpress.com/2010/10/01/transforming-buttresses-into-walls/
2. Add new walls with anchors. This could be as simple as these metal anchors, just be sure to use sturdy metal suitable for this application. http://earthbagbuilding.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/sheet-metal-anchors/
Yes, those are inside dimensions.
All plans are available through Dream Green Homes: http://dreamgreenhomes.com/materials/earth/earthbags.htm
Consult with local solar companies about adding solar components.
I like the pod designs and that you can add on later. What kind of heating would you suggest for this kind of design? We were looking at a rocket stove, but are worried about the ability to move the heat down the connecting spaces.
Earthbag is very energy efficient and so you don’t need a large heater. I would either buy a used wood stove of decent quality or make a barrel stove: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhkCc33Dtas&feature=related
We are thinking about using the three pod design on our homestead with a family of 5. Like the previous comment, my husband is worried about heating the home with it designed like this. We’ll be building it ourselves. We would really love to combine passive solar and a wood fired stove. We will be using straw bale (load bearing) instead of earthbags. We will be off the grid without solar panels so we need to make sure we’ll stay warm. Also, we’re in the mid west. Would this design work for us or should we look at a different option? We love this plan and think it would look great if we can guarantee we can heat it all with one wood stove.
The Pod design will work great if you install radiant floor heating in addition to a woodstove. Some hearty souls might get buy on just the woodstove, but if it gets really cold then I would plan on adding radiant heat, good weaththerizing package, insulated foundation, good windows and R-45 or so in the roof. If radiant heat breaks the budget, then consider ceiling fans and keeping the doors open all day so heat will reach into back rooms. So the final answer depends on how cold it gets and how warm you want the back rooms. RAdiant heat will maintain uniform temps throughout.
We’re looking at building this in Utah mountains, if we adjust the roofing and windows like you mentioned above, have a wood stove and radiant heated floors, do you think it’ll work alright covered in snow in the winter? We’re thinking the more angular shape this set has instead of rounded would provide us with more flexibility dealing with code, should we need to frame it…
Yes, be sure to include all the necessary details like adequate roof insulation, high quality windows and doors, caulking, foundation insulation, etc.
Structure1.com will turn my plans into code approved plans using whatever materials you choose.