Engineer-approved Earthbag Plans

We’re very happy to announce what is perhaps the greatest news ever for earthbag building. Nabil Taha, Ph.D., P.E., has developed an earthbag building design to meet building codes. This is a huge step forward for earthbag building and we feel very honored to have Nabil’s support.

Nabil Taha is the President of Precision Structural Engineering, Inc. (PSE) and is licensed in 27 states. PSE is a leader in green engineering and green design, offering services for a wide range of building systems, including earthbag, strawbale, bamboo and rammed earth. See the PSE Earthbag webpage for more information.

More details about this will be on our Earthbag Building Blog.

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New Computer Renderings

Enviro Earthbag Dome

I’m gradually converting my basic hand-drawn plans to AutoCAD and SketchUp, starting with the most popular designs, and making them available at no extra cost. I think you’ll agree there is much improvement. It’s more than just visual effects. Plans are being tweaked based on reader input. The Enviro Dome, for instance, now has a small (optional) pool in front that collects and stores rainwater.

Computer generated plans currently available through Dream Green Homes:
Enviro Dome, Native Spirit, 2 Pod and 3 Pod, U-Shape, Subterranean Survival Shelter, Zero Energy One, Zero Energy Two, Peace Dome, 10 meter Roundhouse, Hexagonal/Roundhouse, Modern Earthbag House, Green House, 2-story Roundhouse, Chonburi, Spiral House, Farmhouse, Garage/Apartment, Barn-style, Roundhouse Studio, 1.5 story Roundhouse, Sweet Spot 2, Farm Guesthouse, Wilderness Cabin, Tinyville, , Mediterranean, Beachcomber , Arc House, Double Wide.

Roundhouse/Dome Cluster should be completed very soon.

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Earthbag Roundhouse Workshop

Date: 7 days, April 19-25, 2010
Cost: $500 includes excellent hotel, shuttle van, breakfasts, dinners, snacks
Location: Sakon Nakhon, Northeast Thailand
Instructor: Owen Geiger
Email: strawhouses [@] yahoo dot com

Note: This is a past workshop from earlier this year, but I’m leaving it here to show the final results. Lots more detailed info is on our Earthbag Building Blog.

Roundhouse information:
Round earthbag office, 15’ interior diameter, 18” walls, earthbag foundation
Wood doors and windows, small bathroom, earthbag benches
Concrete bond beam, steel compression ring
Exposed wood ceiling with peeled eucalyptus saplings and thatch

Roundhouse Studio

General building plan:
Goal: build walls and roof in one week (some parts won’t be completely finished, such as the plaster and roof, but we will do as much as we can so you get at least some experience with each step of construction)
Hard, dirty work will be completed before the workshop (earthwork, digging trenches, peeling poles, etc.) so the focus can remain on learning.
Workshop participants can assist with any or all building activities as they choose (ex: you may or may not want to climb on the roof, that’s okay).
The emphasis is on hands-on learning, although there will be short training periods throughout the day with white board, and question and answer sessions.

More information here.

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Post-Tsunami Emergency Housing Project

Floorplan for Post-Tsunami Affordable Housing Project

This project was an effort to help those in need of shelter who were tragically impacted by the December 2004 tsunami. Unlike most other housing designs that have been proposed, this design focuses on low-cost, sustainable building materials and techniques, while also striving to make the homes tsunami, earthquake, and hurricane resistant.

Exterior view Post-Tsunami Affordable Housing Project

You can read the entire report here.

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