Earth Sheltered housing?

[Achilles]

I have some land, and want to build a retreat there. In my reviews of possible constructions I have come accross this:

http://www.daviscaves.com/index.shtml

Interesting stuff. Thoughts?

[Bear]

I would think it would be kinka damp and moldy. I prefer the sunlight and fresh air you get building above ground. Have you looked at Domes? Very strong, and not a 'cave'. http://www.aidomes.com/

[BigFootsCousin]

I like those type of homes. I have a friend who has one that is really nice. It's not from that company but it's based on the same construction concepts. It's the 'ultimate' survival home.

BFC

[Bad Hand]

A friend of mine built a partially eath sheltered home, the first floor is covered on 3 sides with large windows in the front. The kitchen, 2 bedrooms and the living room are on the first floor. In the winter this area is always above freezing, and in the summer it is always cool.

[Maximilian]

If I won the lottery I would build one. 8)

[cryhavoc]

We're trying our hand at it this summer(I hope...) - by way of a 'root cellar'. Don't have the faintest idea hwo it will work, other than it's supposed to maintain a constant 50 degrees temp.
Our plan is to go 9ft down, with 3ft over the top, and vents fore and aft. Cinder block sides with gravel floor.

If I can finally get to it....I'll let ya know how it turns out.

cryhavoc

[Tundra Gypsy]

Cryhavoc, I want to do a root cellar too. What material will you use for the roof? I'm going to do cinder block with gravel flooring as well, and include a small vent. If needed, I could use it for a bomb shelter.

I haven't decide on size yet either. we have a backhoe, so it won't be a problem digging out the hillside behind the place.

[Freeholder]

Even if only for the design principles, anyone interested in underground housing needs to read Mike Oehler's book, The $50 and Up Underground House Book. He builds post and shore with wood, but his houses don't feel (or smell) like dank, musty basements.

Kathleen

[Tundra Gypsy]

Mike, I was at the local farmers market in Idaho this year and met Mike Oehler. He had several books that he was pushing at the market. I bought a book, but left it in Idaho when I returned to CA, darn it anyway.
I think it was about underground greenhousing.

I bought his first book, that you mentioned and enjoyed reading his adventures building his underground house. He also told about an uninvited guest, a bear that wanted to come in and visit a while.

[Shuswap]

Achilles Looks like good place to start. Just finished a home. Things I choose to do. Built with steel and concrete, Installed in floor hot water heat ( Lots of Wood) Lots of window to south. Used best material, want a good resale. Don't cheat on rebar and good windows. I hope my new home lasts 500 years, though I will be long gone. Cost is important, ours was in 300,000 dollar range, With good planning you will come up with the right house. Good luck. I can send you some pictures if you send me your e Mail. My mail is logged on this site

Shuswap

[Samurai Jane]

$300K, Shuswap?
*swoon*
This one's in my price range:
http://www.redriverhistorian.com/images/dugout_pioneers_by_ward.GIF

[DreadPirate]

I would think it would be kinka damp and moldy. I prefer the sunlight and fresh air you get building above ground. Have you looked at Domes? Very strong, and not a 'cave'. http://www.aidomes.com/


But I thought Bears loved caves...
What next......you don't c@#p in the the woods???
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[obleo]

$300K, Shuswap?
*swoon*
This one's in my price range:
http://www.redriverhistorian.com/images/dugout_pioneers_by_ward.GIF

Yeah, that's in my price range too...would love to see the inside of that place...boy, necessity was the mother of invention then, huh?

[momof23goats]

$300K, Shuswap?
*swoon*
This one's in my price range:
http://www.redriverhistorian.com/images/dugout_pioneers_by_ward.GIF

Yeah, that's in my price range too...would love to see the inside of that place...boy, necessity was the mother of invention then, huh?

If you think about it, this was much better, than a soddie, because it stayed cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter. good idea.
and it is in my price range too.

[Samurai Jane]

Here's an article I found about an upscale sod house:

Last Remaining Sod Home Stands Strong in Oklahoma
http://www.news9.com/Global/story.asp?S=7978854&nav=menu681_2]LINK
Posted: March 6, 2008 08:10 PM

By Christian Price, News9.com INsite Team

ALINE, Okla. -- The last known sod house built by a homesteader from the Land Run is still standing strong in Aline Okla. Cory Smith, the museum's manager, knows the home's history.
http://kwtv.images.worldnow.com/images/7978854_BG2.jpg
"It was built in 1894 by Marshal McCully," Smith said. "He claimed his land in the land run of 1893. This is how he got his land. And he kept it until he passed away in 1963."

Oklahoma's last sod home is a piece of architecture built out of necessity, he said.

"They would cut long strips with a sod plow out of the ground," Smith said. "And cut it in about 18' inch blocks and stack it like bricks. It was just the regularly available material at the time. There were no trees, or very few trees, anyway, so that's what they had to build their homes with."

The earthern structure stands exactly where it was built. "Everything was built around the sod house to preserve it," Smith said. "That process began in about 1963."
http://kwtv.images.worldnow.com/images/7978854_BG1.jpg
McCully had special plans for his home when he built it, he said.
"He obviously knew he was going to stay in it a lot longer than the typical person because he built it a little bit bigger," Smith said. "He had the windows, which is not typical of a sod house."
http://kwtv.images.worldnow.com/images/7978854_BG4.jpg
The windows came from Wichita Kan.

People from all around the world have come to see this relic, Smith said. "Visitors from out of the country, Australia, England. Recently we had some from Brazil and Canada," Smith said.

"It's something that you really can't imagine what it is," Smith said. "You can't visualize how they lived until you actually see something like this." Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

[Freeholder]

With the plaster, the sod house actually looks nice on the inside. I like that plastered look (which is one of the reasons why I like cob and strawbale construction methods).

Kathleen

[Shuswap]

Samuria Yes 300,000 is a lot of money, and no quarentee that the hole in ground might not work better in the time to come. Planet x will cause a big stir for sure. Each person will do what they can to escape the rath to come. A supply of food and some wood heat , situated in the ground will surely help in coming days. Hopefully our new home can be used by some poor souls, we all live by faith samuria.

Shuswap