vertical wall earthbag homes

7/30/2019 Vertical Wall Earthbag Homes

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Vertical Wall HomesThis Puerto Vallarta Model Houseis a design for a reinforced two-story

earthbagbuilding that might pass code standards for most seismic zones

around the world. It is especially adapted for hot, humid climates, with

large earthbags filled with adobe soil that provides both insulation and

thermal mass. Most ofthe structure is bermed about a meter high with

substantial planter beds. The roofis insulated with large bags ofrecycled

styrofoam. Nearly all ofthe direct sunlight into the house is excluded with

large overhangs and buttresses. And the breathable interior walls will help moderate the humidity.

In this Brazilian Ecological Housethe walls are made solid with PURE EARTH!

The curves are essential in SUPERADOBE projects...they express sensuality and

provide strength. This project was constructed partly inbrick and partly in

superadobe...and certified wood! A hybrid house. This house is a concrete

example ofhow your new home can be sustainable without losing elegance.

This House in Patagoniafeatures a double wall system that includes pumice.

Five hundred tons ofearth have been moved by hand. The house has a

spectacular view, is very cozy and has a very simple exterior. The earth system

keeps the surrounding earth warm and dry in what is an extremely wet and

windy environment.

Amirta - Divine Nectar Retreat Cabinin the high desert ofsoutheastern

Arizona. To do this retreat Venerable Lobsang Gyelse must build a space to do

it in, which is a small circular meditation space with an offset sleeping nook. In

addition there is a covered porch area. Kitchen andbath are in a nearbybuilding. This project was fully permitted and inspected by the authorities.

Hyperadobe Step-by-Stepdescribes how to build with net bags or tubing,

an innovation ofFernando Pacheco, a Brazilian engineer. With vertical walls

there is no need for barbed wire between the layers because with the open

netting the soil ofthe bottom layer is merged with the new layer above. This

leads to less cost compared to the poly bags.

Freeform Earthbags Between Boulderswere used to create this

contemplative space at Phangan Earthworks in Thailand. It is a rather luxurious

"cave" that artfully combines granite, wood and earth. It has a 60 sqm groundfloor divided into three rooms on three levels, topped by a 15 sqm loft.

Baraka's Houseevolved after she asked me to help her design her custom

earthbag home. She had very specific ideas about the shape and room arrangement,

but wanted some input as to what was practical with earthbags and how to

accomplish many details ofconstruction. She also wanted a passive solar design

and wanted my my advice about this as well.


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This tastefully designed home was built on a shoestring budget by

owner/builderAlison Kennedyin Moab, Utah. The 1,000 square foot earthbag

home is the first permitted earthbag house in Utah. Alison in-filled earthbags between

concrete and wood posts. A concrete block bond beam was mortared into place on

top ofthe wall. Described by Kaki Hunter and Doni Kiffmeyer.

In April of2010 Owen Geiger conducted an earthbag workshop in Thailand. The

project chosen for this was a Roundhouse , and the workshop and the resulting

roundhouse were a resounding success. The main impression is one ofincredible

fortresslike strength - massive walls with no sway. For our roundhouse, we

wanted things to look nice, ofcourse, but we didn't want to spend a fortune.

This Community Center in Peruwas constructed by a team ofvolunteers of

the organization Pisco Sin Fronteras fromNovember 2010 to January 2011.

The first stage ofthe construction ofthe earthbag wall is to fill the bags with

slightly moist earth. We put barb wire between each layer ofbags to prevent

them from slipping out ofplace. We introduce vertical pieces ofrebar every

meter ofwall length to reinforce the walls.

Theo describes the building ofThe Sun Housein Haiti. "Rice, barley, wheat all

come in poly bags which we've saved. They will be used to hold a mix ofmoistened

sand and clay. The bags will be laid out much like bricks or blocks and barbed wire

will be used as mortar between the rows."

Project in Belize This project is presented primarily as a photo essay, but the

wealth ofdetails makes it nearly self-explanitory. Kaki Hunter and Doni Kiffmeyer,

the authors ofEarthbag Buildingare present, and their trademark methods are

employed.

Steve and Carol Escott built a two story home on the remote island ofRum Cay,

Bahamas, assisted by Kaki Hunter and Doni Kiffmeyer. This Sand Castlefeatures

a first floor made with earthbags filled with sand and crushed coral, upon which a

second story, framed house would be constructed and covered with a hip-style

roof.

Robin's House built near San Miguel de Allende in Mexico is based on a traditional

Southwestern adobe and has an open floor plan.

Several Eternally Solar Earthbag Projectsin South Africa demonstrate a

unique approach that features polybags that have been partitioned into three

compartments lengthwise, so that the two outer compartments can be filled with

soil while the central compartment is left unfilled and creates a void to insulated the

center ofthe wall.


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In planning to build an earthbag house in Belize, Central America, I decided to first

build a smallerGarden Shedso that I could teach myselfthe process, learn from

my mistakes so as to avoid making such mistakes when applying the technique to a

large living space and, finally, so that I would have a place to store all the tools and

equipment I would need onsite to actually build a mud house.

Tatu Penrith's Sandbag Hideawayis a haven on top ofthe world and an

appealing terracotta and green house with thick walls that give it an earthy,

handmade look. 'Sandbags are much cheaper than bricks, as well as being warm in

winter and cool in summer. You can use unskilled labour; we used the women from

Sir Lowry's Village down the road, and they sang while they packed the bags.'

Bois Marchand Earthbag Houseis a simple earthbag structure built by the Haiti

Christian Development Project in about a week by 7 laborers. It follows many of

the recommended techniques you will find at this site.

The construction ofan earthbag Round Houseis carefully chronicled with details

about foundation, windows, doors, roofframing, flooring, plastering, etc. There is

even a lovely bottle wall (as pictured here). This project is very well documented

and well made.

Brandon Rogers' Ghana Residenceis located in the eastern region of

Ghana near the township ofAkosombo on the banks ofthe Volta

River. This is a guest house with approximately 1000 sq. ft. for one

bedroom, a main space for the living/dining/kitchen areas and a multi-purpose room which will act as studio.

The Gypsy Farm Adventurechronicles several years in the life ofthe

Newberry family while theybuild a hybrid earthbag, cob, strawbale,

pole frame, ferrocement home in Georgia. "I will continue this journey

we once called a Newberry adventure, yet today I see this small

adventure as part ofa greater journey with it's connections to the

others on this planet as we travel together."

La Casa de Tierrais a rental house located in Ojochal, also called Playa Tortuga

(Turtle Beach), on the Southern Pacific coast in Costa Rica.

Judy and her son live on the island ofDominica. They are working to build a earthbag

home for Judy. The idea ofan earthbag home is that it is resistant to extreme climate

occurrences such as hurricanes and tornadoes. It is also supposed to be able to handle

earthquakes. Judy hopes to be prepared to deal with whatever challenges come her

way.


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We spent a year intensively researching alternatives to mainstream building

techniques and settled on a plan that fit our very small budget, was simple and

low tech, that two reasonably fit persons could build alone. We chose to build

aBuddhist Hermitage, which will be the primary residence for the hermitage

staff. After months ofdesign work the dome shape was rejected, in favor of

sqaure corners and straight walls to accomodate living spaces inside.

We are in the midst ofconstructing earthbag huts in Northern Uganda. The firsthut is nearly complete--and has drawn a lot ofattention. The photos show the

beginning stages ofa vision God gave us, to build homes for all ofour

employees and their families, fellow laborers as well as a home for our family and

a potential discipleship training school.

vertical wall earthbag homes

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