Building Plans Anybody?
 

Hi All,

I have a team of an architect, quantity surveyor and two structural engineers who are going to help me initiate a small test building project over the next few months to build a prototype for a self sustainable housing unit tailored to the local environmental condition.

Although we have some idea of where we want to end up we are very much interested in the domed construction models many on this forum have spoken of. If anyone has building plans for a domed housing or dwelling and/or a sustainable dwelling and is willing to share please post a reply to this or PM me if you'd like to speak to me personally about it.

Namaste!

Re: Building Plans Anybody?
 

I've started looking into this some. Here's a couple of links I've found so far.

http://shop.monolithic.com/products/...plans-and-more

http://www.dometech.com/

http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgur...%3Den%26sa%3DN

http://static.monolithic.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monolithic_dome

Re: Building Plans Anybody?
 

I used to be an electrical engineer but now working for the my family construction business as an metal stud and drywall estimator. Just to let you know; building a dome will raise the price significantly unless you can find the trusses and radius track in a pre-built package deal. Does it have to be domed?

Re: Building Plans Anybody?
 

Not necessarily, we are mainly focused on finding the most cost effective and stable solution. As many of us are recent graduates we are going to thrash it out as we go along but we do have the drive and resources available.

We were considering the dome shape only because of its supposed shielding qualities from environmental factors, that aside we are going to go with what works best considering local environmental properties, cost and time effectiveness being a major factor.

Re: Building Plans Anybody?
 

The Monolithic Dome system that George Green illustrated is based on shooting concrete over steel reinforcing bars placed around an inflated balloon form. Stated specs are impressive: for instance being able to withstand the impact of a tree flying through the air at 300 MPH.

If you do not plan on using the Monolithic system, there are numerous solutions that can provide similar and maybe superior performance.

SITE CONSIDERATIONS: Pick a building site with good drainage, natural protection from prevailing winds, and good solar orientation.

BUILDING DESIGN: For a "compound" scale building suitable for extended families I am a big fan of the approach Sol Invictus mentioned in this Avalon thread:

http://projectavalon.net/forum/showt...ht=brae&page=3

Google "skara brae" - there is a lot of info on this, including floor plans and pictures.

Also, see Carol's thread on a Hobbit 'Habitat' House:

http://projectavalon.net/forum/showt...ghlight=hobbit

If you must have a dome, you can still create one with adobe; "super adobe" (earthbag construction) or earth-casting, and then skin the whole structure with at least 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) of ferrocement over heavy gauge welded metal wire mesh. You can even put a living roof on top of the dome. However, the general precept of keeping openings - ie., doors and windows - to a minimum still holds. Ferrocement is strong and weather resistant, but as to how well an adobe/ferrocement hybrid dome can withstand 300 MPH impact forces (or earthquakes for that matter) - that's a question for the structural engineer. Possibly a couple of ring shaped "bond beams" might help.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck with your project...Post us some pics when you get this underway! :thumb_yello:

Re: Building Plans Anybody?
 

Well worth looking into Solar building to for heating. Maybe a solar collector on the outside of the dome :)

Superb I just had to give back to the library on Solar Passive heating and cooling. Insulation is key for the lowest energy usuage.

Re: Building Plans Anybody?
 

Here you go.

Apartment under a pyramid greenhouse (which supplies O2 and food to the occupants). I didn't write it; Les Brown did in 1978 and then he died.

http://www.holyconservancy.org/789005.htm

Re: Building Plans Anybody?
 

(quote)
Here you go.

Apartment under a pyramid greenhouse (which supplies O2 and food to the occupants). I didn't write it; Les Brown did in 1978 and then he died.

http://www.holyconservancy.org/789005.htm


===============================================

Thank you for this link of Les Brown,... Schech

I'm reading it and finding it very interesting,

I live not too far from where he farmed...

I just wanted to thank you in the meantime....

My, you are amazing,

You find just about anything....

thanks again...ISIS

:wub2::wub2::wub2::wub2: