Escape the Ratrace and Live a Carefree Simple Life

The ongoing economic recession is putting lots of people in difficult situations. For some, the situation may even seem hopeless. I’m writing this to remind everyone to never give up. Who knows for sure what’s in store in the future, but the main thing is to keep your head together and just keep on going. Look for alternative ways of doing things. Mainstream media and mainstream thinking, which are partially responsible for the mess we’re in, assumes the economy is rolling along and everybody has money. That’s certainly not the current reality. Again, think outside the box to find dirt cheap or even free ways of doing things: alternative lifestyles, alternative incomes (not necessarily a full time job, just a way to make enough money to get by), or alternative building using natural, minimally processed local and recycled materials. The following excerpt is from one of my articles in The Last Straw journal.

Typically, the roof is the most expensive part of a building. Trusses or rafters, sheathing, roof insulation, and roofing – shingles, metal roofing, tile, etc. – are all major expenses. Tarpaper, fascia, fasteners, soffit work, flashing, and roof vents all add up. And, the time and cost of labor to build a conventional roof is significant.

Now imagine virtually eliminating all of these costs and you’ll begin to appreciate the simplicity of the Haystack House. (Actually, straw is used but somehow the term ‘haystack’ seems appropriate.) The idea occurred to me while observing stacks of rice straw that are common throughout Thailand. After harvesting the rice, farmers store the straw in large, conical or domed stacks. Sometimes the stack is raised off the ground on a pole structure. Why not raise the stack a little higher and create a living space underneath? The farmers are making the stacks every year regardless, so the only extra labor for the roof is the ladder work.

A haystack overhead creates a super-insulated roof to protect against the withering heat in tropical climates. Most houses in Thailand are uninsulated metal-roofed houses, so this idea offers a significant improvement in comfort and eliminates any need for an air conditioner.

In keeping with local building traditions, a post and beam frame makes sense. Eucalyptus is a good choice of wood for pole building. It’s grown in Thailand and other countries for pulpwood, and is low cost and naturally insect resistant. Recycled wood is another good option. The finished “roof” (haystack) creates a shady workspace to finish the rest of the structure at a leisurely pace.

The beauty of this design is in its timeless simplicity. Humans have created their own shelter for countless years using available natural materials. Only recently have we started turning this task over to contractors, and the result has been escalating construction costs, excessive debt, often shoddy workmanship, and sterile looking, unhealthy buildings.

Here are just a few building ideas to get you started:
– Limitations: Best for small, simple, single-family residences in rural areas.
– Shapes: Conical roofs for roundhouses may be the simplest. Hexagonal, octagonal, other multi-sided shapes (pyramidal, polygonal, etc.), and hip roofs are all options. An oval house is another interesting possibility.
– Pole frame: Roundwood is less expensive and inherently stronger than milled wood. Notch the posts for the bond beam.
– Decking: This is what supports the haystack. Recycled wood and bamboo are two options. Treat any structural bamboo with borax; otherwise insects will quickly devour it. Ideally, the decking would be moisture and rodent proof. Creating a slight curvature with bowed lumber (so the center of the deck is higher than the edges) would help drain away any water that gets through the straw.
– Loft space: Add floor joists if you decide on a loft. To form the loft space, make a simple framework of bamboo and mound the straw against it. In other words, you could have a loft inside the haystack.
– Miscellaneous: Add a tamped earth floor, cob and/or bamboo furniture, earthen plaster, mosquito net over the bed, and earthen oven, grill and thatched roof verandah for outdoor living and you’ll be well on your way to a small, cozy, dirt cheap bungalow.

Worried about fire hazards and building codes? Move to a developing country, live simply with few possessions and leave your cares behind! Build a house like this for a few hundred dollars and enjoy life.

Hobbit House now available with four roof styles
Full text available by ordering the back issue of The Last Straw journal.