earthbag house

The Orange Tree Atelye (or Workshop)

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Here’s another project taking off to help Haiti. Text quoted from their website. We are an interdisciplinary research and design team from the University of Cincinnati. We were formed to provide a long term growth plan for the Good Shepherd Orphanage in Carrefour, Haiti. However, our ambitions do not stop there. We hope to use … Read more

Earth Dome II at Pomona College Organic Farm

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[Text below is from their website.] The Earth Dome II Project has redefined the scope and community base of the farm. The project began in 2001 following a visit to CalEarth in Hesperia. Following this visit, a group of students and community members built an earth dome at the farm during spring and summer of … Read more

U-shaped House

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The U-shaped house is my latest house plan to get updated to computer renderings. Based on reader demand, the house is slightly larger than the original. Specifications: 990 sq. ft. interior, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, Footprint: 31′ x 46′ Description: This pleasant home looks inward to an inviting flagstone courtyard with trees and plants. Spacious … Read more

Using 2x4s Versus Wide Lumber

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We’re using 2x4s instead of wide lumber whenever possible to save old growth trees and money. Smaller dimension lumber can be obtained from smaller trees, and so it’s more sustainable. For our rough window and door frames, also called ‘bucks’, we put two 2×4 frames side-by-side. The window hides the joint between frames. In fact, … Read more

Earthbag Construction in Uganda

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Volunteer Opportunity for hands on experience and training Hungry Minds Educational Society is building an adult education centre in Kisowera, Mukono, about 30 km from Kampala. Construction is set to begin in January 2011 on our first building – a starter home, designed by community members. This will be an earthbag building, incorporating a root … Read more