DIY Low Cost Insulated Earthbag Scoria Blocks

Large, homemade, insulating blocks can be aligned with a simple rotating arm.
Large, homemade, insulating blocks can be aligned with a simple rotating arm.

I realized it would be easy to make giant earthbag scoria blocks with raschel mesh bags, scoria (lightweight lava rock) and quick setting cement mortar or glue. The basic block making process involves forming the scoria blocks in simple wooden forms and then curing in the shade. The dome is built using standard brick dome building methods that brick masons already know or knowledge can be readily found on the Internet and in books.

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DIY Soil Stabilizer Recipe Part 2 – Call for Assistance

$300 Stone Dome housing design proposal is built with simple stabilized soil or geopolymer.
$300 Stone Dome housing design proposal is built with simple stabilized soil or geopolymer.

This is a call for assistance from a librarian who can help find a book on how to make do-it-yourself soil stabilizers for natural home builders. About two years ago I published a blog post titled DIY Soil Stabilizer Recipe that has received quite a few comments. Now it’s time to take things to the next level.

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Ancient Stone Domes

Dry stacked stone domes are an ancient type of natural building.
Dry stacked stone domes are an ancient type of natural building.

“The first image that came to my head when I discovered the superadobe (for information on a bio course in Cantabria) and saw the domes, was the image of our drums. Turns out that the domes comes from old :).

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You Can’t Stop a Good Idea Whose Time Has Come

My Stone Dome rating keeps goes up and down. It’s been in the top 10 lately. There’s still time to vote if you haven’t already. But the larger picture is far more important. I think geopolymer is a million dollar idea. Most houses fall apart in a few decades, need constant maintenance and are made … Read more

Earthbag Designs Lead the Contest

Four of the top seven house designs at ‘The $300 House Open Design Challenge’ are currently earthbag houses. The ranking keeps changing, but that’s where it’s at right now. This is incredible. Of course I’ve known earthbag is growing in popularity, but to see it surge to this level is very exciting. In the screenshot … Read more

$300 Earthbag House Update

My housing designs are now posted for ‘The $300 House Open Design Challenge’. I’ve submitted two proposals so far: $300 Earthbag House – What the World Needs Now, and the Stone Dome – $300 Geopolymer Earthbag Dome. There are lots of new drawings and details included. Please, please take a look, leave comments and rate … Read more