earthbag

Flat Hyperadobe Walls

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Partially flattened polypropylene earthbag wall (left) versus hyperadobe earthbag wall made with mesh bags or tubes (right)
Partially flattened polypropylene earthbag wall (left) versus hyperadobe earthbag wall made with mesh bags or tubes (right)

We discussed flattening earthbag walls in a previous blog post: Flattening Walls to Save Plaster

In that blog post (and the following Comments afterwards) I described some of the basics of this technique: tamp the sides of walls after several courses are complete; don’t wait too long or the soil will dry and be difficult to tamp; use enough clay in the mix so the earthbags are malleable; focus on eliminating awkward bulges; don’t tamp the walls completely flat – leave recesses between courses of bags so the plaster has something to grab onto.

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Cordwood House Plan

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This cordwood house could be built with earthbags, straw bales or other sustainable materials.
This cordwood house could be built with earthbags, straw bales or other sustainable materials.

Specifications: 776 sq. ft. interior, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, Footprint: 30′ x 35′

Description: This simple yet practical home plan is shown with cordwood walls. The same house can be made with earthbags, straw bales, adobe, stone and other materials.

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Regenerative Housing

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The Regenerative Home by Earthen Hand
The Regenerative Home by Earthen Hand

“Let’s create the Regenerative Home. With this proposal, we are raising funds to showcase technologies for homes that are ecological, affordable, and appropriate for these times. We will build the second prototype this summer in Colorado (earlier version shown in the intro video). Throughout the construction we will document in film and photography. The building plans will be available this year online for $10. Plus, in a subsequent fundraising effort next year, we will assemble an online documentary film about the process so others can learn from and recreate these ideas.

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Koh Phangan Earthbag Workshop

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Earthbag meditation dome in Koh Phangan, Thailand
Earthbag meditation dome in Koh Phangan, Thailand

Participants will learn the basics of EB, and by the end of the weekend feel ready to begin a small structure by themselves. We will inspect existing buildings, do hands-on demonstrations on how to fill bags, how to lay them, and how to tamp them, and engage in Q & A sessions. Supplemental slide shows and film screenings will complete this full-immersion experience. Freshmen welcome, earthbag experience not required.

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