Tinyville Earthbag Domes (click to enlarge)
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.
Tinyville Earthbag Domes (click to enlarge)
Earthbag House Plans 
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Super 🙂
Hi Owen, I’ve decided to build this one first, it will be in Rio Rancho New Mexico :
http://www.rzprofessional.com/RR_U1_B40_L33.html
I wonder if there are any modifications or considerations required for that environment ?
Also, my friend asked “Does Geiger offer structural engineering blue prints?” And I don’t know what that means LOL
Keep up the good work !
Craig
Check with local code officials before ordering plans. Rio Rancho is an upscale area that will likely resist anything unusual. One problem will likely be insufficient living space. It’s almost impossible to build small houses in code areas (earthbag or anything other method).
Engineering is available through Precision Structural Engineering, Inc. http://structure1.com/index.htm Email them for a quote.
My pal (who asked the engineering question) is going to build the Cal-Earth dome 50 feet away. I guess Rio Rancho is not too uptight ?
I’ve asked the land seller and my pal to take a look at this thread 🙂
I don’t understand codes and engineering and all that.
OK, my pal Damian Marraffino explained my situation :
(quote)
“OK, any area that falls under county or city zoning and planning requires that homes in that area be built acording to NM state code. I called Rio Rancho building department. They told me that NM state code is the same as UBC (universal building code 2008).
Let’s say that Cal-Earth, for example wants to get a home approved through UBC. They first have to have an architect design it according to load capacity, structural suppport @ openings, cubic feet of air per person, where and how many air transfer areas, need for how much steel in the foundation, etc. Then, they have to build it and test it under many conditions and environments to see what it will do given any number of variables and scenarios such as flood, earthquake, wind load, temperatures, etc. They check for structural faults, collapse, rot, cracking, settling, and any potential lethal gas releases from building materials.
Once approved, the plans are sealed and stamped.Then, you can buy them to submit to city zoning and planning dept. They get one copy and you keep the other copy to use while you build. The inspectors pull a copy from the city to use when they come out at various stages of the project , like foundation, etc.
It is only necessary to submit your blue prints and building plans in order to obtain a BUILDING PERMIT. You need the permit to get your home inspected and and approved in order to get your occupancy permit. you need an occupancy permit in order to get an address assigned to your property. In the mean time, you simply use a PO box and live on your property in “TEMPORARY” housing.
Rio Rancho has ” upscale” subdivisions scattered here and there. Our area is very seldomly ever visited by anyone other thatn the coyotes LOL. Actually we aren’t even in city limits. We are in Sandoval County. Thats why we don’t have any utilities out there yet. New Mexico and California are the only two states that I know of right now to have incorporated Earthen homes and approved them for building so far. There are many “out of the ordinary” buildings in Rio Rancho proper. Actually many adobe houses in “upscale” neighborhoods 🙂 I know of one that sits between two houses that sold for around $ 250,000.00
It is furthermore permittable for a homeowner to install electrical, plumbing, and lp gas, as long as it is done to code, and passes inspection. Easy enough to do. I have experience and have passed inspections before. Florida has much stricter codes, due to hurricanes. It’s not that hard and if you don’t pass, no big deal. They simply write down what you need to do. ” double up these 2×4 s, or add a brace, or install a safety valve right here, or add a ground strap, etc.” SIMPLE STUFF.
Remember…there is no time limit to build out there. So, that means that there is no rush, and you can live in a camper, or a tent, or a “temporary structure” until you have it all done.
It looks like Calearth is the only company to offer blue prints
(end quote)
Also my land seller, Russell Zittlosen, chimed in :
(quote)
I am not an engineer nor code regulator. I do know that there are trailers in Rio Rancho with stucco walls and no one complains.
(end quote)
I’ve also e-mailed Precision Structural Engineering for a quote. I’m sure one way or another it will work out.
I get the impression we can possibly just call it “temporary dwelling” and skip the inspection LOL
We’ll see what what has to be done 🙂
Most areas will not allow you to live in temporary housing on site while building. That’s great if you can.
Most areas will not accept houses below their minimum square footage. See what happens.
It’s not so easy to “double up the 2x4s” etc. as you say because you’re building with earthbags. A misunderstanding or mistake could cause major problems.
My plans will be accepted as well as Cal Earth if you get the engineer’s stamp.
You could call it an ‘accessory structure’ (tool shed, etc.), but then you can’t live in it. The codes have been written in such a way to make it almost impossible to build small, affordable houses. They want you to build larger homes that suck you into mortgages, taxes, etc.
The system is deigned so we will all be slaves to the banks, borrowing money that they create out of thin air but we pay back at interest.
A $100,000 loan with 6% interest paid back in 30 years equals $700,000.
And the average house is so inefficient, you need oil and coal and gas 24/7.
I prefer the Owen Geiger approach 🙂
Anyway, we’ll see what the engineers have to say.
Keep up the good work 🙂
Craig
I’m glad you’ve figured out the scam. One down, 300 million to go.
Well I got a reply from Precision Structural Engineering Inc
(quote)
Hello Craig:
This is a beautiful dome house.
We can do the structural design for you.
You project will benefit from our wide experience with many projects similar to yours.
Please visit our website at http://www.structure1.com/html/earthbag.htm
For sample projects
My estimate is only $1,200.
To serve you better, please refer to Precision Engineering job number KF211-1600
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you for building green/sustainable.
Bill
(end quote)
That seems good 🙂
That’s good news. And as you probably know, an engineer’s stamp is like gold. This is what building departments really want.
Hi Owen 🙂
I’m going to modify your plan quite a bit before sending it to the engineer, I have a mad idea to make something like a circular train. Over time multiple domes come together in a big circle 🙂 The last attaches to the first. It can be a multi-generational project 🙂
But I will certainly buy your plan and book to get a clue 🙂
Now I just need to pay off the land …
Keep the good work !
Craig
The book comes free with the plans. You will need to order a custom plan. I doubt the building authorities will allow you to start with one tiny structure and then build a large one later without authorization. Also, this may affect the engineers fee.
I want to build a earthbag home in Rio Rancho my property is not in the city it is more like in BFE (LOL) there are very few houses where it is I am not in the state of NM and I am not sure what to do or where to start can you give me some pointers
Not sure what to say. This sounds like a local issue you’ll have to work out.
Okay, sitting here, debit card in hand, ready to order this plan as a “storage building” to be built in eastern San Bernardino county, CA, where my only neighbors will be rattlesnakes. However….
Where’s the “buy” link???????
You can order through Dream Green Homes.com. http://dreamgreenhomes.com/materials/earth/earthbags.htm
They’re set up for safe, secure transactions.
Hello! I live in Northern California, have been wanting to build a ‘Hobbit hole’ playhouse for my son, and have been researching/brainstorming different low-cost ways that I would be able to do it myself. Upon my research I stumbled across earthbag building and thought it looked like the way to go. After purchasing and reading through your book on earthbag building I came across the design for the ‘tinyville earthbag dome’, which seems almost perfect for what I want to do. However, before buying the plans for the design I have a quick question. Since this is going to be a children’s playhouse and I’m slightly limited in space, could the rooms be reduced to a 9′ diameter and 6′ diameter? Would this be okay, or would it threaten the structural integrity of the design?
For a playhouse, please look into my free dome plans at Mother Earth News. Everything is explained in detail and drawings are included. Here’s the link to the free Instructable (the short version). The link to the full length article is in this Instructable.
http://www.naturalbuildingblog.com/instructable-how-to-build-an-earthbag-dome/
Awesome, this looks great! Thanks so much for the speedy reply! Love your work and can’t wait to get started!