Rainwater Towers Apartments 2

Rainwater Towers Apartments 2 (click to enlarge)

Specifications: Four 16′ interior diameter roundhouses and one 12’ interior bath, total 842 sq. ft. interior, two bedrooms, one bath, Footprint: 50′ x 50′

Description: This three-story, triple roundhouse tower apartment complex is designed to provide affordable housing in urban areas. The towers are primarily earthen construction. Made with earthbag tubes filled with earth and tamped solid, very few manufactured/processed materials are required. This greatly reduces construction costs. The apartment name comes from the fact rainwater is captured on the roof and stored in cisterns, which reduces demand on city water supplies. Each apartment is accessible by a spiral staircase in the front tower. Features include two spacious 201 sq. ft. bedrooms with large closets, modern kitchen and bath, pantry and comfortable living room. All rooms are round to create an embracing, inviting ambience. The round towers are naturally stable and form a visually striking exterior.

Rainwater Towers Apartments 2 floorplan (click to enlarge)

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Rainwater Towers Apartments 1

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Earthbag Dome Fort

Earthbag Dome Fort (click to enlarge)

The Dome Fort is my latest castle design. At 100’ x 112’, the 10’ high by 3’ thick (at the base) fortified walls enclose 9,964 square feet.

The Dome Fort showcases individual designs and combines them into a self sustaining, fortified homestead, where a group of 5-20 people could weather economic and social upheaval. This is a concept drawing that does not show every possible type of defense. Custom designs can be created to meet your needs.

Structures include:
Roundhouse/Dome Cluster 1,330 sq. ft. interior
2 Fortress Towers 1,717 sq. ft. interior each
Castle Tower House above Survival Shelter 880 sq. ft. interior
Carriage House with second story garage apartment 806 sq. ft. interior
2 Round Guard Towers 227 sq. ft. interior each, plus roof deck
Observation Tower 313 sq. ft. interior, plus roof deck

I’ll be glad to discuss all details, including the below grade structures (not shown), with serious clients who hire me at my hourly consulting fee. All plans can be modified for a modest fee. Send inquires to: strawhouses [at] yahoo.com.

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Observation Tower and Round Guard Tower

Observation Tower (click to enlarge)

Observation Tower
Specifications: 123 sq. ft. interior, 104 sq. ft. 2nd story, 86 sq. ft. upper floor, total = 313 sq. ft. interior, plus roof deck, Footprint: 15′-6” diameter

Description: The Observation Tower for my Dome Fort (coming soon) could also be used for other purposes such as an office, pantry or even spare bedroom. The kids would love it. A spiraling staircase joins the first three floors, and a ladder provides access to the roof deck. Total height is 31’. The same tower is used in my Native Spirit home design.

Round Guard Tower (click to enlarge)

Specifications: 123 sq. ft. interior, 104 sq. ft. upper floor, total = 227 sq. ft. interior, plus roof deck, Footprint: 15′-6” diameter

Description: This guard tower for my Dome Fort could also be used for other purposes such as an office, pantry or even spare bedroom. The kids would love it (and big kids, too). A spiraling staircase joins the first and second floors, and a ladder provides access to the roof deck. Total height is 22’. The Round Guard Tower is the same as the Observation Tower except it is one floor (9’) shorter.

Observation Tower and Round Guard Tower plan

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Fortress Tower

Fortress Tower (click to enlarge)

This is nearly the same design as my 33’ (10m) 2-bedroom Roundhouse except the roof. The walls have a slight taper to create a castle appearance for the Dome Fort I’m currently designing. In addition, a second floor with slot windows has been added.

Specifications: 855 sq. ft. interior, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 855 sq. ft. upper floor, total = 1,717 sq. ft. interior, plus roof deck, Footprint: 36′ diameter

Description: 10 meters (33’) diameter is the maximum size of a round earthbag structure before needing buttressing (unless you use reinforced earthbags). This spacious design features a large master bedroom with desk and walk-in closet, efficient kitchen and south-facing window wall for excellent solar gain.

Fortress Tower (click to enlarge)

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Earthbag Tower House

Earthbag Tower House (click to enlarge)

Specifications: 346 sq. ft. interior first floor, 227 sq. ft. upper floor, 133 sq. ft. observation deck, total 705 interior sq. ft., Footprint: 24′ diameter

Description: This intriguing tower house slopes from 21 feet interior diameter at ground level to 13 feet diameter at the upper deck. Perfect for environments with high winds and good views.

Earthbag Tower House (click to enlarge)

Earthbag Tower House Loft

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Earthbag Tower House

Earthbag Tower House

Earthbag Tower House Loft

Specifications: 346 sq. ft. interior first floor, 227 sq. ft. upper floor, 133 sq. ft. observation deck, Footprint: 24′ diameter

Description: This intriguing tower house slopes from 21 feet interior diameter at ground level to 13 feet diameter at the upper deck. Perfect for environments with high winds and good views.

Earthbag Tower House South Elevation

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