Poll: What do you like best?

This is a poll to determine what shape you like best for the Earthbag Roundhouse/Dome Cluster. (Floorplan shown below.) Do you prefer domes on either side of a central roundhouse or all roundhouses? Please leave a comment below.

Roundhouse Cluster (click to enlarge)

Specifications: 1,314 sq. ft. interior including lofts in the roundhouse and both large domes, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, Footprint: 31′ x 65′

Description: Readers have shown a strong interest in my domes and roundhouses, so I decided to cluster them to create a new unique design for larger families. There is a 2-story roundhouse in the center with domes on the east and west. (Optional version with three two-story roundhouses.) There are a lot of things to like about this design: possible third bedroom, game room or home office in the roundhouse loft, 2 baths, separated bedrooms, large walk-in closets, dining area next to the windows, and lots of south-facing doors and windows.

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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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Welcome!

Hello and thanks for visiting my site.

A lot has happened in the last year since I started this blog, as you can see. There are now 110 plans to choose from. The next step is to complete the elevation drawings, of which about 50 have been finished so far. The most popular designs are then being turned into AutoCAD plans.

If you are wondering where to purchase these plans, most of my plans are available through Dream Green Homes.

I added a new page on Building Details to better explain my plans and ideas. Hope this helps. And be sure to also read the Introduction to learn how you can build these plans for around $10/sq. ft. (materials only) if you do the work yourself.

All home plans use natural building materials such as earthbags, earth plaster, earth floors, recycled materials, lava rock (scoria) and rice hulls to keep costs to a minimum and reduce our impact on the environment.

Please note: Details like porches, decks, etc. have been deleted for the most part so drawings better fit the limited space on this blog.

Also note, the plans are in no particular order. Some of the best plans are buried on the last (first) pages. You may find it easiest to browse by Categories — Domes, Roundhouses, etc. — by using the menu in the right column.

This site is set up to gather your feedback. I look forward to hearing your comments!

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