Earthbag EcoRanchos

Earthbag EcoRanchos
Earthbag EcoRanchos

EcoRancho plan (click to enlarge)
EcoRancho plan (click to enlarge)

Thank you so much. I just placed an order on your website for PDF plans. I wanted to order another one but am not sure if they are shipped or will be sent by e-mail. I must say you really have made some very nice designs and a wonderful webpage. I am also looking forward in receiving your building manual which you offer along with some of the plans. [The Earthbag Building Guide is free with all plan orders.]

Here are some pics of our latest progress on the EcoRanchos we are building which may interest you. I also included some plans on our EcoRanchos. They consist of two buildings which can be joined or used separately. We are on our 4th structure, which is this EcoRancho. These EcoRanchos will consist of 6 pairs of structures, total 12 such EcoRanchos and will be part of a little EcoHotel complex we are presently building at our farm for AgroTourism.

Unfortunately for us the thatch roof option was not approved by the building authority. We had to modify to a wood roof. I believe this must be the very first such structure officially approved by a building authority in Panama.

Thank you again for your assistance and prompt reply.
Best regards.
Walter

16 thoughts on “Earthbag EcoRanchos”

  1. Owen saludos
    Estoy interesado en hacer mi casa de havitacion para mi y mi familia en altos de cerro azul en panama comunicate conmigo para para que empesemos la hobra es para mi un gusto saludarte

    Owen greetings
    I am interested in making my havitacion house for me and my family in highlands of blue hill in panama comunicate with me so that we start the hobra is for me a pleasure to greet you

    Reply
  2. Hi,
    We are in Panama now visiting our land north of La Concepcion, Chiriqui Panama (May 2013). We are looking and earthbag building & other natural building and found the EcoRancho Project. We would like to visit before we leave Panama June 1 and see what they are doing there. Is there a way to e-mail Walter, who seems to be the one who provided updates on project?
    Thanks for your help.
    William Florian

    Reply
  3. Hi Walter,

    I am in Chiriqui, 6 miles north of the Panamerican hiwy, just off the via Volcan. I am in an area where seeking building permits is loosely interpreted, but..I really feel this has great potential for so many of the people here who are i some cases living with plastic walls and roof.
    I am going to have to look up your area!
    So glad to know you have set a precedent with the building authority!!! I would love to know how you went about this.

    Thanks so much for your response!

    Claudia Armstrong

    Reply
  4. Hello dogiam,
    Glad to see that there are others trying to work with earthbags in Panama. The project “EcoRanchos” is in Chorrera. Where are you located?
    Best regards.
    Walter

    Reply
  5. I live in Panama and am getting ready to add a room to my casita with earthbags. I would love to know more about Walter’s project, particularly where it is.
    I have wondered whether the building authority here would approve earthbag structures….
    This is really good news because I have hoped to inspire locals to use earthbags instead of cement block, tho the ways things are heading this may be decided for them.

    Reply
    • I’ll send Walter your message. Normally, most people don’t disclose their address publicly because they don’t want hordes of unwanted visitors. But in this case they’re starting an ecohotel, so there’s a much better chance they will contact you.

      Reply
  6. Great job, Walter. I love the EcoRancho design. Everything about this project is commendable — excellent workmanship, great design and willingness to share results with others. Hopefully Kelly will make a Project page on this at EarthbagBuilding.com. Good luck with your ecohotel.

    Reply

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