Description: 20′ interior diameter earthbag dome = 314 sq. ft., plus 14.5’ diameter loft = 110 sq. ft., total = 424 sq. ft. interior, Footprint: 23’ DIA plus benches/planters
These domes are a larger version of my Peace Domes. The bottom half is typical earthbag construction. The top half is lightweight insulation to speed construction and keep the domes cool in harsh climates. The insulated portion will be built much like the Insulated Earthbag Vaults discussed earlier. Many of the structures will be covered in tile mosaics similar to Gaudi tile designs.
The domes are part of a sustainable community being planned in Thailand by Sumano Bhikkhu and Dr. Ajahn Somchai Kantasilo called The Mindfulness Project. This is probably the most exciting project I’ve ever heard of and I’m very honored to be designing their houses. More details coming soon.
Could really use at least a few windows in the loft, but apart from that, a great design.
I’ve just recently had a area cleared to make room for the peace dome earthbag house here in northeast Arkansas and a lot of clay and dirt and rock makeup the ground around here, I haven’t seen any earthbag projects going up in this region, do you know of any, I know I won’t get far into my project before cold weather but at least the foundation maybe.
There have been some earthbag projects built in Arkansas. One in particular there is one discussed in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvB19mMqYhI
Any idea of how much it might cost for a 16-ft diameter earthbag house and two 12-ft diameter rooms?
As for materials costs, these vary from place to place and choices that you might make, so it is hard to estimate. In general any of the plans can be built for no more than the average cost per square foot that is common in your area, something that you can find out from a local realtor, contractor, or banker perhaps. If you do much of the work yourself, this can make a big difference, and how good you are at finding deals on materials is a factor. So it all depends…
How much to build?
The cost of building varies somewhat from region to region, but most plans can be built for no more than the average building cost per square foot for new construction in your area. You can ask local realtors, contractors, or bankers for this information.
Some of the designs that call for expensive solar equipment might cost more; some of the designs that use simple earthen concepts might cost less. Other factors, such as how much you are willing to do yourself and how good you might be at finding good deals on building supplies, can make a difference…so in other words, it all depends….
Dear Owen,
Ive found about your Thai place through Wwoof. In april I could come and help you out for four weeks in a row with whatever necessities you have. Im very interested in building sustainable houses and growing organic food. I do not have many knowledge on these things, but Im eager to learn and love physical work.
Please be so kind to reply. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Daphne Krijnen
They probably won’t see your comment. Go to their website and leave a message or email them.
Good evening Mr. Geiger!
I’ve been searching for affordable housing (from shipping containers, to TinyHouse on wheels, and Yurts), and I came to the conclusion, that, NOTHING come’s close to EARTHBAG building. It is the SOLUTION for AFFORDABLE Housing for ALL in the 21st century.
My HEART resonates with the Mindfulness Insulated EarthBag Dome, simply GORGEOUS design, BRAVO!!! I’m so excited in the VISION of CO-CREATING an ECO-VILLAGE with these EarthBag Domes!!!
My apologies, I’m a neophyte in EarthBag building, and would like to ask you some questions:
Q1: Can this GORGEOUS EarthBag Dome be built in COLDER climate, like B.C, Canada?
Q2: Any INFO you would recommend that would enable me to built one like this?
Thank you kindly for SHARING this BEAUTIFUL Project!!!
Namaste,
Francois.
Thanks. The built-in search will help you quickly access answers to almost everything about earthbag building. Use words such as ‘insulated earthbag’ and ‘cold climate’. We now have over 1,200 blog posts on every topic.
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-an-Insulated-Earthbag-House/
I’ve considered that it may be possible to collect rain water off of these domes by wrapping the bench completely around the dome and building in a small trench close to the wall that would flow to a lowest point behind the dome. Then, an in-ground tank could hold the water. Just an idea.
I am curious about the roof… is it a stick roof? What kind of materials on the outside? What, if any, rain gathering component to the roof? Many thanks for posting!
Dennis
The posts and framing are all bamboo. The roof started out as canvas/sail cloth covered with magnesium cement or latex cement. I think they’re going to use polyester canvas. There’s no rain catchment at this time on the gazebo, although there’s rain catchment on the nearby solar vaults.
Red in the Thai flag represents the people. The color scheme of the red dome symbolizes personal and spiritual growth as people achieve higher consciousness.