Hello Owen. Just wanted to share with you my plan:
Next year, I will build a large roundhouse in Hungary with raschel mesh tubes. I’ve got 7km of UV-stabilized raschel mesh from a Czech company called Juta. Since there are no volcanic rocks in Hungary, I might go with Ex-clay [expanded clay aggregates] for insulation. Ex-clay costs around 100 Euro/1m^3. Right now, I might go with a gravel foundation. The requirement given by my wife was 5 sleeping rooms (preferably in the lower floor, because Hungarian summers are quite hot).
HI Owen,
I loved your design, and I kept wondering why. Now, I look deeper into it. I realized, that this is very Chinese inspired. Of course, I am of Chinese heritage, so, I was drawn to your design. Here are a few website that have the similar building, These buildings were build from 1200 to 20 century. Those were called the Hakka Tulou. These are clan buildings and entire village may live in these buildings. Even the court yard design is similar. Your Design is a scaled down version of the Tulou, at least that is what I see. However, it doesn’t take away your ingenious of scaling down something that had been practice for hundreds of years. I guess we really should look back into our architecture from ancient time to be more efficient in our daily life.
Best Regards
Yao
http://socks-studio.com/2014/02/01/walls-as-rooms-4-the-hakka-tulou-community-housing-for-equals/
You’re talking my Torus house design. http://earthbagplans.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/final-torus-design-with-e-catlenr-home-energy-system/
The Hakka Tulou are very famous. And yes, they were influential in the design of the Torus. It’s always good to study vernacular houses to see what’s been done before.
I really like this design. How high can we build the earth bar/tube walls? If we can build this round home with earth bags between 14 to 16 feet and then put a circular tin roof on top, then I would like to build this design up in the North Carolina mountains. Too much rain in the mountains to do a dome, is that correct? Any suggestions appreciated. Has this design been built yet?
I agree 2nd bath a must on bedroom floor. Also where does the stairs end on the first floor from the 2nd floor?
A;ex
Lots and lots of earthbag roundhouses have been built — maybe hundreds. Roofed structures avoid the moisture problems with domes in places like NC. And I think they’re easier to build. See my Instructable: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-an-Earthbag-Roundhouse/
My Earthbag House Plans site has lots of roundhouse plans: http://earthbagplans.wordpress.com/
Anything is possible. Keep reading through our site. Use the search engine on the right.
Im going to build a home in Hungary too near Sarvar. Im really interested whats new on Juergens Plans. Did he start, is the house finished yet? Does he still need help where i could have an eye on how it works?
Thank you for your comments.
I won’t have a water toilet in the lower floor but a kind of modern chamber pot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamber_pot) in each bedroom.
Outer walls of bedrooms will be shaded from the walkaround, therefore they don’t heat up that much. Airflow can be achieved by a small window at the upper side of the bedroom doors throught the open light trap.
The russian stove won’t be a security problem, I’ll take care of it – but thanks for reminding me.
Owen replied me that the 40cm Raschel tubes I have right now on stock might be too small. He recommended to use 50cm tubes instead (or using a wood frame).
Would it be ok to use the 50cm Raschel tubes just for the outer walls of the lower floor? Rest would be made with 40cm tubes…
Everything has to be 50cm tubes. You could probably do the interior walls with 40cm if you add posts.
Hallo Jürgen, habe gerade auf der Suche nach Erdsackhäusern deinen Namen im Web gefunden. Wohnst du in Ungarn und hast du dein Haus gebaut? Ich wohne mittlerweile in Ungarn und habe vor auch ein Haus aus Erdsäcken zu bauen. Bitte könnten wir miteinander in Kontakt kommen? Uns austauschen? Das wäre sehr hilfreich, ich bin auf der Suche nach Menschen, die ihre Erfahrungen weiter geben wollen und mit mir ein Stück Weges gehen. Sehr dankbar. LG Monika
I like the gallery. That would make a nice office.
If I’m reading the plan correctly, there are 5 bedrooms and 1 bathroom – which is not on the same floor as the bedrooms?
Good catch. Maybe he can add another bath in the storage room.
Hi Juergen
Thanks for posting your plans.
It makes sense to put the bedrooms where it is cool for sleeping, but I wonder whether there is enough airflow through the bedrooms for cooling via air movement/wind in the evenings. Obviously I have no knowledge of what the climatic conditions are in your region of Hungary, but if I were building this in temperate regions of Australia, I would allow for natural cooling though air movement.
One other thing: I question the positioning of the Russian Stove right outside a child’s bedroom door. This could pose a risk to the safety of whomever is occupying that room, especially at night when children wander and visitors may rise to use the bathroom, forgetting about the stove.
It looks a sound design though. Nice work.