Hand-Build an Earth Sheltered House For $5,000, page 1
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Topic started on 3-12-2008 @ 01:58 PM by grover

Hand-Build an Earth Sheltered House For $5,000


greenbuildingelements.com
Cash, that most basic element of our economy, can be in abysmally short supply for new young families scraping by on marginal jobs.

Sustainable housebuilding may not be foremost in their minds.

But one young couple in Wales managing on an annual income of just $10,000 went ahead and built their own cheap home anyway sustainably, mostly out of materials from “a rubbish pile somewhere.”

Sustainable design and construction:

1. Dug into hillside for low visual impact and shelter
2. Stone and mud from diggings used for retaining walls, foundations etc.
3. Frame constructed of fallen trees from surrounding woodland
4. Reciprocal roof rafters are structurally very easy to do
5. Straw bales in floor, walls and roof for super-insulation and easy building
6. Plastic sheet and mud/turf roof for low impact and ease
7. Lime plaster on walls is breathable and low energy to manufacture compared to cement
8. Reclaimed (scrap) wood for floors and fittings
9. Other items were reclaimed from “a rubbish pile somewhere”: windows, wiring, plumbing

There are just a couple of solar panels - just enough for for lighting, music and computing. It’s a simple life. A skylight in the roof lets in enough natural feeling light, and water is fed by gravity downhill from a nearby spring. There’s a compost toilet. Roof water collects in a pond for gardening.

(visit the link for the full news article)



[edit on 3-12-2008 by grover]


reply posted on 3-12-2008 @ 02:05 PM by grover



reply posted on 3-12-2008 @ 04:15 PM by angelonmyshoulder
reply to post by maus80




Recycled tires filled with sand is what they use for the Earth Houses.

I want one too!!!


reply posted on 3-12-2008 @ 06:11 PM by whaaa
There is a whole community of "earthships" north of me.


www.taosearthships.com...

My little adobe is very efficient with just a lot of south facing windows.

Here in the Land of Enchantment, you can receive tax breaks for building an energy efficient home and permits aren't any more difficult to obtain than for a frame constructed house.

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