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Posts Tagged ‘unique’

Two Roundhouses with Greenhouse earthbag house design (click to enlarge)

Two Roundhouses with Greenhouse earthbag house design (click to enlarge)

This is my second plan that’s designed specifically for building roundhouses in stages. As I stated in a previous blog post, I think building roundhouses like this is the simplest, easiest way to build an earthbag home: build in stages, one roundhouse at a time so you can pay with cash and move in right away. It’s far easier to start small and add on later than jump right into building a large home that could take months or even years. Please note, this design illustrates just one of many possible ways to build in stages with an added greenhouse. Many of my clients come up with their own design, often by combining various plans and options of mine. So have fun. Make a simple sketch and send to me at naturalhouses [AT] gmail.com for a free estimate. One easy way to do this is to print the plans from my website and cut out the parts you’re interested in. Rearrange the parts as you wish, glue them to another piece of paper, and draw any remaining parts by hand. Write notes on your sketch if needed. Scan and save as a jpeg file and email to me. This could also be a fun school project and good way to learn about designing houses.

Two Roundhouses with Greenhouse floorplan (click to enlarge)

Two Roundhouses with Greenhouse floorplan (click to enlarge)

This unique design combines: – Hobbit House: 471 sq. ft. interior, optional 471 sq. ft. loft, one bedroom, one bath, Footprint: 28′-6″ diameter – Roundhouse Studio (master bedroom in this design): 177 sq. ft. interior, fold-out bed, 1 bath, Footprint: 18′ diameter, plus buttress – Greenhouse for year-round food production: 70 sq. ft. interior Total: 718 sq. ft. interior, Footprint: 38 x 52 ft. Related: Three Roundhouses Design

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Spiral Dome Magic 2 (click to enlarge)

Spiral Dome Magic 2 (click to enlarge)


Specifications: 452 sq. ft. interior dome with loft, 740 sq. ft. interior spiral, plus pantry, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, Footprint: 42′ x 57′ plus buttresses

Description: This highly unique home combines the Peace Dome and Spiral Houses, which are also available separately. But by combining them it really creates a truly exciting design.

Spiral Dome Magic 2 (click to enlarge)

Spiral Dome Magic 2 (click to enlarge)


Spiral Dome Magic 1 (click to enlarge)

Spiral Dome Magic 1 (click to enlarge)

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Spiral 2 Earthbag House (click to enlarge)

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)

Spiral 2 Earthbag House (click to enlarge)

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Triple Roundhouse Cluster (click to enlarge)

Triple Roundhouse Cluster (click to enlarge)


Specifications: 785 sq. ft. interior, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, Footprint: 28′ x 58′ plus buttresses

Description: This design connects three sloped roof roundhouses and adjoining closets to create a unique roundhouse cluster design that is earth-sheltered on three sides — east, west and north — with a sunny courtyard on the south. The 16′ bedroom roundhouses on either side can be used as bedrooms, home offices, studios, etc. This design features 6′ French doors, and windows high in the wall in each roundhouse, large walk-in closets, high exposed wood ceilings and exceptional energy performance. With the addition of a few features such as ceiling fans, heat recovery ventilation, solar panels and solar hot water heat, this design would meet zero energy standards. Round earthbag structures are inherently stronger than rectilinear designs, and the heavy timber roof provides exceptional strength as well.

Triple Roundhouse Cluster (click to enlarge)

Triple Roundhouse Cluster (click to enlarge)

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Kalypso Earthbag Garage/Storage Loft

Kalypso Earthbag Garage/Storage Loft

Specifications: 357 sq. ft. interior, plus 357 sq.ft. 2nd story, total 714 sq. ft. interior, Footprint: 20′ x 24′ not including decks or benches

Description: The second floor of this versatile garage plan can be readily converted into an apartment. With some modifications, it could also make a nice home.

Kalypso Earthbag Garage/Storage Loft North Elevation

Kalypso Earthbag Garage/Storage Loft North Elevation

Kalypso Earthbag Garage/Storage Loft East Elevation

Kalypso Earthbag Garage/Storage Loft East Elevation

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Mediterranean Earthbag House

Mediterranean Earthbag House

Specifications: 832 sq. ft. interior, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, Footprint: 27′ x 41′

Description: This Mediterranean house has curved walls, a common plumbing wall, large closets and wood stove.

Mediterranean Earthbag House South Elevation

Mediterranean Earthbag House South Elevation

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Earthbag Pods (Click to enlarge)

Earthbag Pods (Click to enlarge)


Specifications: Main pod = 372 sq. ft., Double bedroom pod = 372 sq. ft., Master bedroom pod = 372 sq. ft., connecting spaces = 220 sq. ft., total = 1,336 sq. ft. interior, Footprint: 42′ x 87′

Description: This design connects three hexagonal pods or modules that can be arranged in various configurations using more or fewer pods. This enables the home to be built one stage at a time. The bonus room in the Double bedroom pod can be used as a study, etc. The bonus room in the Master bedroom pod can serve as a home office, guest room, etc.

Here’s another configuration using two pods.

Double Earthbag Pods (click to enlarge)

Double Earthbag Pods (click to enlarge)

Update: These plans are being used on multiple projects, including one in Uganda. An NGO there have adapted the basic design for their situation. Below is an illustration of the right half of the Two Pod design, which will be built in two stages (right, left) and feature many appropriate technologies. They’ve added an outdoor porch with two rocket stoves and oven, and a solar wall oven to keep heat out of the house.

Two Pod design in Uganda

Two Pod design in Uganda

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Earthbag Roundhouse/Dome Cluster

Earthbag Roundhouse/Dome Cluster

Specifications: 1,330 sq. ft. interior including lofts in the roundhouse and both large domes, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, Footprint: 31′ x 70′

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. 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.

Click here for a larger image of floorplan.

I’m not sure when I’ll get around to drawing the exterior elevation view. But it’s easy to imagine since the design is similar to my other 2-story Roundhouse and Enviro Dome.

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10 meter Earthbag Roundhouse

10 meter Earthbag Roundhouse


Specifications: 855 sq. ft. interior, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, Footprint: 36′ diameter

Description: 10 meters (33’) diameter is the maximum size of a round earthbag structure before needing buttressing. This spacious design features a large kitchen and south-facing window wall for excellent solar gain.

AutoCAD generated drawings of this plan are now available at no extra cost through Dream Green Homes.

10 meter (33') Earthbag Roundhouse

10 meter (33') Earthbag Roundhouse

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