Owen Geiger, designer
Features include a deck and large window wall that faces the waterfront, and screened porch in the rear. Designed to weather hurricanes and other extremes of ocean-front property – a perfect application for earthbags, which far surpass most other building materials. This design includes a cistern for storage of roofwater. 525 sq. ft. interior, 1 bedroom (plus fold-out bed), 1 bath; footprint: 24′ x 27′
The Plans for Sale
These plans are available as digital PDF files or AutoCAD files and are offered by Dr. Owen Geiger as complete and ready to build from. They include necessary elevations, floorplans, cross section details, and other significant construction details; they don’t show every view, every detail — just enough to build. They do not include electrical and plumbing details. The section views explain how everything goes together and should answer your questions about materials. The plans are scaled and dimensioned.
It is the buyer’s responsibility to find out special requirements, such as what alternative building is allowed in your county or what you have to do to get houses permitted. Are there special requirements for foundations, etc.? Do they require an engineer or architect to stamp the plans? It might be a good idea to know these things before ordering plans.
The AutoCAD version is the same as the PDF version, just in a format that can be read by AutoCAD software or other software that reads .dwg files. We recommend buying the AutoCAD version if you plan to have a professional architect or engineer read or make changes to the plan. This may be necessary in some jurisdictions that require state-licensed architects or engineers to stamp plans before they will be acceptable. Or if you want another professional to make some custom changes to Owen’s stock plans, then AutoCAD version may be the way to go. If you would like both the PDF and the AutoCAD versions, then just indicate this when you purchase the AutoCAD version and they both will be sent for the price of the AutoCAD file.
This plan is offered with a free copy of Owen’s popular Earthbag Building Guide e-book.
|
Description
|
Price
|
Add to Shopping Cart
|
|
PDF Digital Plans |
$200
|
|
|
AutoCAD files
|
$400
|
|
Can earthbag buildings be built on stilts?
Earthbags are very heavy, so building on piers would require a very well-engineered foundation.
Thanks for your encouragement! I really appreciate your advice and tips. I will research online and buy a cost estimate book
Hello Owen
I am going to build a house, with a verandah, in a rural part of Jamaica. Do you think this plan is suitable, in terms Jamaica’s tropical climate? If not, could you suggest another plan?
Is the rain water stored under the main floor of the building, in the basement?
Would an architect have to design the stairs to the entrance, along with other building aspects?
I need information on solar panels, plumbing and electricity, could you guide me?
As my budget is tight, I would appreciate some advice. Continuing working to increase my budget is making me depressed, I only need a 1-bed home, with outside porch space.
Please help. Thanks.
This design is for beach areas, so yes this will work. It’s up to you to research local code requirements since they vary from place to place.
Money is tight: Be very careful before starting any home building project. There’s a reason houses are the single biggest expense of a lifetime. They’re a LOT of work and the costs really add up quickly. If there are building codes then the cost can skyrocket 10x. One tip is to learn as much as you can online and then get a cost estimate book from a library or buy one. Work through the whole process of plugging all the materials and local costs into a spread sheet according to the book. Adjust as necessary where earthbags are used. Then double check your cost estimate with local builders to see if it sounds reasonable. In other words there’s no way to guess the cost unless you have many years living and building in a particular area.
Don’t get discouraged. Stay positive and seek workable solutions. That’s why we regularly discuss ways of building dirt cheap buildings like beach huts (versus a conventional looking home). You can do this if you find an area with few or no codes. Then you can add on later as you have more time and money.
very useful information! Thank you for letting us know!