Free Economizer Earthbag House Plan

Free Economizer Earthbag House Plan (click to enlarge)

Specifications: 448 sq. ft. interior, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, Footprint: 19′ x 31′

Description: This plan is designed to be compact and efficient. Most houses this size do not have as many features — washer/dryer, wood stove, and modern kitchen and bath. There are even two closets. An archway separates the bedroom from the main living area, yet maintains a sense of privacy with a room divider. Note: this plan is listed in the free shelter category.

Free Economizer Earthbag House Floorplan (click to enlarge)

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Insulated Earthbag Vaults

Insulated earthbag vault with solar panels (click to enlarge)

Specifications: 263 sq. ft. interior, 74 sq. ft. sleeping loft, total 337 sq. ft. interior, one bath, Footprint: 15′-6″ x 30’

Description: As explained in one of our blog posts, earthbags are inherently unstable if they are stacked into a vault shape. The proposed design shown here resolves the stability issues. This vault building method is very strong, simple, low cost, superinsulating and extremely fast and easy to build. The shell of a small, simple vault could be built in about one week, in part because the top two-thirds of the vault is built with tubes or bags filled with lightweight insulation such as scoria or pumice (preferably nonflammable materials). These earthbag vaults are now available with a number of roof options: solar panels, metal roofing, living roof and thatch. A similar vault for arid conditions (no roof, just plaster) will be available soon.

Insulated earthbag vault floorplan (click to enlarge)

Insulated earthbag vault with living roof (click to enlarge)

Insulated earthbag vault with thatch roof (click to enlarge)

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Roundhouse with Siberian Chum Roof

Roundhouse with Siberian Chum Roof (click to enlarge)

Specifications: 16′ interior diameter with 201 sq. ft. interior, sleeping loft, half bath, Footprint: 19′ x 19′

Description: Here’s a compact design ideal for extremely cold climates. The basic concept comes from the Siberian Chum (tent). There are two chum roofs or conical shaped roofs made of poles with insulation between. Virtually all materials are made from small diameter wood poles, which are often abundant in northern forests – roof poles, bond beam, lintels, loft joists, wood shakes and woodchip insulation. Tilt-down stairs lead to a sleeping loft. Only a very small wood stove is needed for heating. It would be quite easy to build debt-free by gradually adding extra roundhouses as time and resources allow. A small cluster of these roundhouses would be real cozy.

Roundhouse with Siberian Chum Roof (click to enlarge)

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Natural House

Natural House (click to enlarge)

Specifications: 287 sq. ft. interior plus 287 sq. ft. loft, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, Footprint: 16′ x 30′

Description: Here’s a dirt-cheap energy-efficient design that’s simple to build. This is a good starter project. Features include a loft for sleeping and office space, and south-facing windows for excellent solar gain and daylighting. Earth berming and simple curves helps the Natural House blend into its environment.

Natural House (click to enlarge)

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Spiral 2 Earthbag House

Spiral 2 Earthbag House (click to enlarge)

Specifications: 740 sq. ft. interior, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, Footprint: 31′ x 40′ plus buttresses and covered porch

Description: Spiral 2 is a variation of my first spiral house — Spiral Earthbag House. This unique, almost Hobbit-like earth-sheltered spiral design includes a large grow bed, exposed timber ceiling and living roof. Ample light is provided by the window wall next to the grow bed, window and door glazing, and suntubes. Distinguishing features include two bedrooms, masonry two-way fireplace, covered porch and cool pantry for storage of food (no electricity required for refrigeration). An alternate roof plan is available for building with TJIs where wood poles are not available. There’s even a door planned in for future expansion. This home meets zero energy standards, and is now one of my favorite.

Spiral 2 Earthbag House (click to enlarge)

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Office

Office (click to enlarge)

Specifications: 199 sq. ft. interior, Footprint: 13′ x 23′

Description: Here’s a perfect design for your backyard office or studio. Building codes vary from region to region, but this design may not need a building permit because it falls below the minimum floor space requirement of 200 sq. ft.

Office (click to enlarge)

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Earthbag Peace Dome

Earthbag Peace Dome (click to enlarge)

Specifications: 19’ interior diameter, 283 sq. ft. interior main floor, 169 sq. ft. (16’ diameter) bedroom loft, total = 452 sq. ft. interior, 1 bath, Footprint: 22′ diameter

Description: How do you bring about the change you want to see? Live in harmony with earth and contribute to world peace.

Here is a simple dome anyone can build. This single dome contains all of the necessities for habitation. In addition to the basics, you could incorporate solar hot water, greywater recycling, composting toilet (shown, although a flush toilet can be used) to further reduce your ecological footprint. There are hot/cold, wet/dry climate design options available.

Earthbag Peace Dome (click to enlarge)

Peace Dome with optional thatched roof (click to enlarge)

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Tinyville Earthbag Domes

Tinyville Earthbag Domes

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 South Elevation

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