“Pupils at a London school so close to Heathrow airport that it sometimes seems descending planes might land in the playground have found a novel way to fight the roar of jet engines.
There’s lots of demand for solar homes, earth sheltered homes, super energy efficient, low cost/ do-it-yourself designs and domes. This design combines all these features. The main living dome in this stellar design is flooded with light and ventilation through a 12’ south facing arched window wall. Plexiglass skylight and ferrocement eyebrow windows (optional) provide additional daylighting and solar gain in lofts. Alcoves provide space for baths, walk-in closets, pantry, etc. Wood pole reciprocal roofs reduce heavy work high on the domes. Buttresses contain earth berms covered with grass, zeriscaping or edible plants. Additional domes can be joined with earthbag vaults to create larger homes in modular fashion. For instance, two domes could be joined side-by-side with south facing arches.
Architect – Claremont Environmental Design Group (CEDG)
Contractor – Oasis Design and Construction
Earthbag/Vault Builder/Consultant – United Earth Builders (UEB)
“Though Uncommon Good is a human services organization, we realize that helping the poor and saving the planet have become inseparable tasks. For when resources are scarce, or environmental disasters occur, it is the poor who suffer first and worst. Therefore, we want to set an example of caring for the environment and caring for each other in the way that we house and operate our organization.
“In the summer of 2010, Konbit Shelter partnered with the Mango Grower’s Association of Leogane, in the village of Bigones, Barrier Jeudi, to create a multi room community center. We returned in December to construct a one family house. By sourcing all materials within Haiti, and raising money to hire a crew of builders from the community, we are able to bring the kind of assistance that promotes the local economy, creates jobs, and builds valuable skill sets.
Hi There
Well, I am not in Belize, but not too far. I am working on a social project in Chiapas, México. Visit Moradas Verdes