Specifications: 24′-6″ diameter with 471 sq. ft. interior, 471 sq. ft. loft, total 942 sq. ft. interior, one bedroom, one bath, Footprint: 27′-6″ x 27-6″
Description: Many people dream of a simpler life, free of the cares of this world. They want a home that is easy to build and maintain, small yet adequate in size, with everything they need to live comfortably with their small friends. This one and a half story home is designed for you. Features include drop-down stairs that lead to a spacious loft, wood stove heating, and modern kitchen with pantry space for Hobbit food. The undulating thatch roof or living roof is created by varying the knee wall height above the bond beam. (Another earthbag first.)
This alternate version uses a double pole roof to provide ample space for roof insulation. Inner and outer roof poles are bolted to steel compression rings like in my earthbag roundhouse. Wood shingles are practical and well suited for this curved roof design. Loft height in the center is 8′.
Another good option is a grain bin roof. Good quality grain bin roofs are typically maintenance free for decades. Good choice for windy areas and hail zones. They are especially practical for those who live in agricultural areas and can buy the roofs separately from local grain bin suppliers. Hoist the roof in place with a crane, bolt in place and you’re finished.
Plans are available through Dream Green Homes. Just ask if the plan you want isn’t posted yet.
More info about this haystack roof on our Earthbag Building Blog.
Here’s another version of the Hobbit House showing an open-air second story deck and rectangular windows. The deck adds another 471 square feet of living space at very little extra cost. This design is perfect for hot climates where breezes make a big difference in comfort. The deck can be accessed by stairs or a ladder.
I like this one, especially the large loft/attic. But I can fathom no way to (legally) build it in Florduh.
Again, Precision Structural Engineering, Inc. http://www.structure1.com has agreed to do the engineering and stamp my plans. This adds to the expense, obviously.
What is the ceiling to be able to have that open air deck on top? I love the idea.
There are various types of lightweight suspended slab floors. Some have insulated forms. The concrete is sloped to drain.
Ok, Ok…can I order THIS plan from you? Maybe the permit people will look at this one. Where I live, they would need a sample ‘building’ built anyway, but the smaller the design the more willing they would be willing to look at it. Annoying, but that’s the way it is out here. Nice design by the way.
…I guess this could always be my…er…”shed”. Our permit people don’t look at sheds much…
It would make a great shed. I’m sure your shovels will be very happy there. Ha ha.
Email: strawhouses [AT] yahoo.com
I really love this plan. I am curious if the diameter can be larger, and if so, would one be able to have a full second story with a silo style roof? I would like to push out to at least 26′ in diameter and have a full staircase in the living room/kitchen that starts by the bedroom door on that wall between the bedroom and living room, goes left, and keeps going up the north wall over the panty, with the pantry built under the higher part of the stairs. What is the max diameter for a 2 story earthbag roundhouse without buttressing(if buttressing is ever needed for a roundhouse)?
I could move the heat to an exterior wall if I had the staircase? Would one need to taper the exterior wall as you go to the second floor for structural integrity, or would you be able to have a straight wall all the way up with an earthbag structure of that size?
Thank you so much for this lovely plan!
Everything you say is possible. Email me for a free fixed quote on a custom plan. strawhouses [at] yahoo.com
I’d like to build one of these on a partial sub- terrian level ethics a living roof and solar power as cheaply as possible as simplest. As needed for full time off grid living if anyone has ideas or suggestions please email i reside in central. Kansas thanks
Take a look at my Instructable — How to Build an Earthbag Roundhouse http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-an-Earthbag-Roundhouse/
There’s a step-by-step building guide on the same site. We also have hundreds of tips on our Earthbag Building Blog (over 1,000 blog posts on every topic imaginable) http://earthbagbuilding.wordpress.com/ and free YouTube clips that show every step. http://www.youtube.com/user/naturalhouses
Our main site at EarthbagBuilding.com also has tons of free info.
In short, you can get everything you need for free. You don’t even necessarily have to buy a plan unless you have to deal with codes. Build in a rural, remote area and you’ll save a ton of money. Building codes will likely be the #1 expense when you factor in all the stricter building requirements.
Thanks so much ill get started on the homework. Now
Owen, is anyone doing these homes underground, AND utilizing the sandbag construction for everything, including the roof, (like calearth) is doing? I’ve tried to find someone who does both but have been unable. Thanks.
I’m almost certain people are building underground domes. At least lots of people ask about it. But only the top 1% or fewer projects get publicized, so it’s hard to know for sure what people end up doing. Domes are one of the strongest shapes in nature and so it will definitely work. The biggest risk is moisture damage. Water flows down hill, of course, and your home could easily turn into a swimming pool. You’d want to build in a dry climate. It’s still a risk because even deserts have flash floods sometimes. Another risk is collapse of the surrounding soil during construction. Lots of people get killed by soil collapse. Read up on that.
There seems to be an error in the description of the diameter of the Hobbit House dome, because when you click on the actual Hobbit House link from the first page, the measurements are different. Just wondering if it is 28’6″ or something else?
Thanks
If a metal roof were used over the deck that you picture at the end of the post, would it make it too hot? I want a water catchment system as well as a deck. Maybe white metal?
Open air porches don’t overheat due to the ventilation. White metal roofs don’t get hot to the touch. Any color metal roofing will work, although white is the coolest.
Water catchment, decks, etc. are details that you can add yourself. You might want to focus on getting the main house built first, then add on later. This won’t cause a problem if you plan accordingly.
Can you do a daily followup on low weight concrete ceilings?
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I live in mid Tennessee, and we get our fair share of wind and rain. If we built the open-air deck design, would the roof provide enough protection for the walls of the Hobbit House?
This makes me wonder if it would be a good cosideration for Jamie to purchase a yurt . I believe they costcapprix $7000…… I LIKE THESE TINY HOMES !
Yes if you make large enough roof overhangs. Always adapt house designs to your climate.
I’m currently a college student but already looking for something affordable in housing. I love this design!! About how much would it cost to build this hobbit house? I still have a few years of college left but would like to know what cost I’m looking at.
http://www.naturalbuildingblog.com/how-much-will-my-house-cost/
FAQ page: http://www.naturalbuildingblog.com/faqs/
Reblogged this on Escaping overseas and commented:
This would be a great design for our future guest house.
Yes, this will work great in tropical climates such as Belize.
I have budget of $10,000 my mobile home is falling apart. I would like a greenhouse built in the center and 2 bedrooms living walk in shower with bench. I have all the appliances. I want it so I can be self sufficient and grow my own food and no electric bills. Adope type fireplace or simple cast iron stove. I am on disability. Cant do myself. So open to any ideals. Thanks Pamela in Delaware.
You can do it if you’re frugal. Here’s the method I would use: http://www.naturalbuildingblog.com/best-cold-climate-building-system/
If there are no codes then you can use gravel bag foundations and save more money.
See today’s blog post. Many thousands of people are in the same situation as you are. This article explains how you can build walls around your trailer and pull the trailer out later. This is all much easier if you live where there are minimal codes. http://www.naturalbuildingblog.com/solar-trailer-home-owner-builders/
I recently became disabled, I will be just 36 years old this year, and I am having a amputation being done on my right foot half way up to my knee, I’m having to fight for my disability, the reason they say I have to fight for it so hard is because I have an education and a trade and work history, if I had none of these I would get it immediately, but I recently seen a silo home I tv and thought how cool is that, I’m a welder/fabricator by trade so I know my way around metal and love working with, and now being total disabled from my upper body to losing my foot and half of my leg is real depressing. But when I seen the silo home I knew my wife and I could do this and become home owners, before I seen this I just never was able to see us being actual home owners but now I do. I have a lawyer fighting for my disability and he is very confident I will win my disability it just takes time nothing involving government is fast, unless you owe them then the tables turn quick. But when I win it I want to use the back pay to purchase a little spot of enexpensive land hopefully we can find a state with some rural land that’s not expensive in a area where just good peaceful people live and be able to but a small piece of land and find a older unused silo for sale and put it up and just work on the inside to get it the way we want it little by little and as we can afford it, it may take us awhile to get it just the way we want it but it will be our home. I mean trying to build a modern home is just way to over priced we would just be paying on it the rest of our life, and a silo home will last alot longer than a house or RV. We are so happy right now because it is really truely doable. Now my question is at this time we are struggling living off her paycheck which barely pays rent, food, and prescriptions and fuel for my wife to get back and forth to work, so I’m all honesty I can’t even commit into a $10 debt with someone right now cause I could not guarantee payment anytime soon all our money is gone to bills even before we get it, so if there is anyone out there who can relate to our situation and mail or email is some basic blueprints on just a small basic solo home we would be greatful and I could repay you for them in a few months when my lawyer wins my disability case, but if someone would be willing to send us basic blueprints we would be greatful and that way we could start planning what we want here and there. So any advice on the silo home or any advice on cheap rural land or any advice regarding our situation would be appreciated out phone number is 785-405-0131, and our mailing address is 550 east 5th street apt#6, colby, kansas, 67701. Thank you so much Mary & Jeremy Owens
Actually, you don’t need blueprints if you know enough about building. In your case, you already know 90% of what’s needed if you’re just repurposing a silo. If you can pay for the silo, transport to your land and erect it on a concrete slab then I’m sure you can figure out the rest. In the meantime, read everything you can about silo homes and how to insulate them. Also, read extensively about areas with few or no building codes. You can build at 1/10 the cost if the codes are very lax. Also, consider starting a blog and documenting your experience. You could very well rally support for weekend workshops, etc. It’s all a matter of perseverance… never ever give up and eventually you’ll reach your goals.
Thanks for your response. I am not sure on how to start a blog, or how to ask for help. My wife and I will be soon heading northwest with what we have, which isn’t much. We are on the verge of becoming homeless here so why stay here we can head northwest sleep in the bed of our truck or a tent temporary and figure it out from there. But atleast there we will be waking up surrounded by the beauty and hopefully finding better health care. But being in that beautiful country it will help relieve stress for sure. But thanks for responding my number is 785-405-0131 if you have anything else you might be able let us know. Thanks
Blog: Ask a high school kid to show you WordPress. In an hour or so you’ll know how to do your own blog. It’s easy once you know what to do.
Truck camping: Oh yes! I love doing that. I lived in Colorado for decades and did this many times. It’s amazing how little it takes to be happy and free. Did you know you can legally camp in one spot in National Forests for up to 10 days to 2 weeks (look up latest regulations)? That’s in one spot. You can move 100 yards or a mile away and do this over and over. Many campgrounds are free. The big ones along the highway charge a little money. But drive down logging roads a ways and you can find thousands of free places with no crowds and more wildlife.
Thanks so much for the info
We will stay intouch and let you know how it works out, thanks again