Earth-sheltered House Plans

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Spiral Dome Magic 2: 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. (click to enlarge)
Spiral Dome Magic 2: 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. (click to enlarge)

Earth-sheltered houses is one of the most popular topics on our Natural Building Blog. New readers may not be aware of my sustainable house plans that have been designed for earthbags, straw bales, cordwood and other materials. There are now around 130 plans, including numerous earth-sheltered designs. Most plans are only $200-$300 and include a scaled floorplan, two elevations, section or wall detail drawing, perspective drawing and building details doc that summarizes the basic building process. All orders now include a free copy of my Earthbag Building Guide. Custom plans are usually only slightly higher cost. Just email me for a free fixed quote: strawhouses [AT] yahoo.com

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, windows, skylight and suntubes. (click to enlarge)
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, windows, skylight and suntubes. (click to enlarge)
Arc House: Defined by an arc, this gently curving house uses passive solar design to capture the sun’s energy during the day and then store it in its interior mass to stabilize interior temperatures. Features include living roof and earth berm design. (click to enlarge)
Arc House: Defined by an arc, this gently curving house uses passive solar design to capture the sun’s energy during the day and then store it in its interior mass to stabilize interior temperatures. Features include living roof and earth berm design. (click to enlarge)
Triple Roundhouse Cluster: 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. (click to enlarge)
Triple Roundhouse Cluster: 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. (click to enlarge)

Image source: Spiral Dome Magic 2
Image source: Spiral Earthbag House
Image source: Arc House
Image source: Triple Roundhouse Cluster
More sustainable house designs at Earthbag House Plans (same plans can usually be used for strawbale, adobe, stone, cordwood, etc.)
Plans can be ordered through Dream Green Homes.com (Not all plans are listed. Want something that’s not shown? Just email me at strawhouses [AT] yahoo.com)

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