Posts Tagged ‘dome home’

Not at all sure any here will be interested.  As all know, I’m building a mini “hobbit hut.”  I still have lots of “stuff” to go on and complete more…such as another hut with bathroom, etc.
Still, “stuff” about.  HUGE STUMPS, STONES, etc.  These I intend to incorporate into the wall of #2.
Our property here is DRY.  Sage country. Water hard to come by.  Aho?
I came across an article on a gal (landscape designer) in California.  She too has “problems.” NOW DOESN’T!  Has made a “Magical Meadow” by using rocks, etc. AND IT LOOKS GREAT!
She’s “right up my alley” in REASON of doing.
She DOES have water and now uses Far FAR LESS. Now a “backyard Paradise.”

With my mini in THIS type of setting….WOW!  And I do NOT NEED water to do so.  NOR the MONEY she used to do so.  YOU CAN TOO!

When I started building I started with stone steps up the slope to the entry.  WITH LANDSCAPING IN MIND, as I could.
Her doing on her land an INSPIRATION to me.

With SALVAGED Material and Time…if interested, YOU CAN TOO!

Due to water unavailability I long ago decided to “plant” Plastic “Flowers,” tucked here-n-there in stone “piles.” Wanting to turn a mystical area between Freeway and Side Road.  Getting rid of the “junk” as I go.  This li’l Earth Dome in “her” type “setting” will, in time BE DONE. (My intent anyway…and always  has been).  Aho?
Anyway,  http://www.susansilva.com   if interested.  GB   re

(WS)

A sister sent:
Hi RE,
I found this guy’s postings on YouTube and then went to his website.  And, look — he’s not out for money.  Selling a big ebook for $5, and its got good reviews too.  Really cute place only 14 x 14.
http://www.simplesolarhomesteading.com/

RE replied:
Thanks sis…..tho I’ve seen similar line “Smallys,” this one I’d rank #2 of all.
Passing this on.
Tho none (but one) I’m sending to ARE looking to build…worth a look.  Aho?  (PS, hope THIS gets to you.  Trying a ‘Forward’ button.  See what happens).  GB   re

(WS)

If you have the time and will:  Please type in BUILD A SURVIVAL CABIN ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET in your Seach Mode (aka Google – WS).  I’ve shared (Heavy on my “spelling”) there.  A LOT that may interest you.  This is a Hub Site that belongs to “Ghost32” (in the link list on the right – WS).  What HE has is quite interesting.  What I share….???
As for your Container “Home”…OTHERS HAVE BEEN DOING (and showing) as well..on various sites.  Most are not IN-GROUND but a few are.  Look up (search) TINY HOMES/CABINS…..BUDGET HOUSES….SMALL DIGS…and similar wordings.  Aho?

I have JUST talked to a good friend.  A gal.  She’s an artist (and exceptionally GOOD).  Quite recently lost her job but NOT HER LIVING Bills!   Wanting to go FULL Time with her artwork.  Make This her ‘living.’  Presently on Unemployment and our area hard hit “work wise.”  Soon will be “hurting” and knows it.
Her parents (also very good friends of us) are tiny land “ranchers” and live less then a mile from where she is renting.
She has been to my Mini Dome and absolutely LOVES it.  “Would make a WONDERFUL Studio for me to work in.”
In our chat I presented a $$ saving (rent/living expenses/etc.) possibility…SEE IF SHE CAN DO A SIMILAR Low Cost “Dome” on her parents property!
She has long ago learned to live on “bare essentials.”  Her small rental has more room than more “STUFF”.  SHE CAN EASILY LIVE IN THIS SMALL DOME WAY!
She IS INTERESTED.  “Can’t build till after winter tho.”  (CAN, but not without misery.)
Suggested a Storage “dome” with the Living Dome.  “Get what you need from this, use it and PUT IT BACK INTO THE STORGE “SHED.”  She immediately said “I can RENT a storage unit.”  I agreed BUT said, “WHY PAY A MONTHLY FEE when you can BUILD a space for “I OWN IT AND NO MORE $$ OUTLAY AFTER BUILDING.”
Her eyes “clouded” in deep thought.
“You’re RIGHT.”
So left her contemplating.  Aho?

She’s a “doer” AND THINKER.  Now let’s see what she comes up with.  Aho?

Anyway, look into the various sites mentioned.  Also consider NO “In-Ground” building, BUT instead WELL EARTH-BERMED.  At least as I’ve done my Mini…1/3 !n-Ground and THEN BERMED.  Your container has the strength needed to top it with Earth…so, “Completely” “In-Ground”.  Building as I, the Free Dirt is set ON the ground but dug ONLY to just above the land’s slope.  THEN bermed.  NO SLOPE. Hole filling AND ITS COST.  Aho?

GB    re

(WS)

Thinking of 2 – 3 coats of Acrylic Paint over dome net.  Acrylic is like a plastic and has some “movement” allowed.  Will soak into the net and the tiny holes of it as well (I think).  If, will go WHITE, then maybe some soft gray-like paint to give it a winter camo look.  Then maybe lay some leafless willows here-n-there about the shell.  Winter “woodsy”.
Received a donation today…enough to buy a 10 gal bucket of paint (maybe 2 of ’em).  Will ask a paint company if this is a viable thing.

Put it on THICK!    Hummmmm    Ideas / Comments?  re

(WS)

Ok, spent some time on dome again.  Took OVER AN HOUR to finally cut away excess netting at back window.  Don’t know WHAT that thing is made of BUT Totally RUINED one serrated edge knife…ANOTHER pair of M’s GOOD scissors…and wore a hole in my thumb knuckle with scissors handle.  My GOOD Hunting Knife had to be Honed every few strokes AND I ended up finishing by using BOLT CUTTERS on it!
After that was done I put Bubble Wrap across the window…and everything so DULL I had to RIP it to the shape needed!

Then went inside and custom fitted one side of bamboo curtain I’d cut to separate the bed area from the living area.  Finished by cutting a few “Tarp Hole Possibles” protrusions on the willow framing.  All this took over 2 1/2 hours and now I’m POOPED! But I’M GETTING THERE!

Now to light a fire and HOPE that bubble wrap is far enough way from the Chimney!   Sure HOPE so!  ????

Anyway, IF all is ok, she’s ready to cover with Ferro Cement and/or dirt.  WINTER TIGHT.

Got “tune-up” work inside to call it a Completed Hut yet, tho. Still, if I’m persistent IT WON’T BE LONG.  Ho   re

(WS)

Been thinking on Small and SPACE SAVING places.  How, for instance, DOORS.  In tiny houses they swing In or Out.  “Hitters.”  Yet a door that Slides into the wall (or one cut in half to slide into walls on both sides)…Or FOLDING doors, take out the “hit” problem.  Walls?  Folders too, perhaps AND can be of Japanese style: paper or cardboard.  Couch/Bed, hard to beat a Futon AND has storage under.

One can spend $$ and still SAVE $$ over a “standard” style house.

In “tiny” the trick is to make it Look as big as possible and have HIDEAWAYS that aren’t seen ’til NEEDED to be seen.  Hidden storage, that, when hidden, gives more floor room inside.  An abode filled with Surprises.  Aho?

In old China they were taxed on CLOSETS.  So they built their stairs to upper loft in 1 – 2 – 3 – plus STACKING “Stairs”.  Steps lifted to store within.  SMART!   Others had front “drawers” that pulled out.  These bypassed the Closet(s).  Smart, right?

I tell you, RESEARCH of OLD WAYS around the world can pay off….filling your pocket book…or at least not robbing it to nudity.

In-floor or in-ground “hidey holes” with lifting lid/floor panel another way to have alot out-of-the way.  So MUCH can be done!  SAVING BUILDING COSTS AND TAXES.

I’ve Often thought a metal culvert can be the Center Support for all the roof rafters on a round roof (some of our Native Americans had these type roofs).  This can hold a cooking fire/heat place AND be the Chimney, all at the same time.  With such one can insert a HOT SMOKE metal oven and ABOVE THAT, as the smoke continues rising, a SMOKER for meats.  All one unit. Wouldn’t THAT be cool?

Gee, I LIKE thinking.  LIKE knowing different ways and things of the ancient past.  Then See if it could be incorporated…Combined!…today.

Man’s past holds “secrets” that we could use today.  Things that don’t put one in debt (“slavery”) to a bank or Companies.

To use “white” is good, used wisely.

To learn more NATURAL ways are a $$  AND EARTH Saving way too.

You don’t need alot of money…you need alot of KNOWLEDGE.  Its FUN, folks!    GB    re

(WS)

Gettin’ the Chill Out

Report:    Water Pressure Release Valve replaced.  Despite 17°F, no FREEZE!  We have water again.  PRAISE THE LORD!  Found & Fixed another leak as well.   MinI Dome: took out inner pipe spark arrester and put on outside on top of exit hole.  2 now there.  Built a BIG fire, as usual; some smoke at first but have cut an exit hole (very small) at apex of main room.  Didn’t take long and smoke cleared (wasn’t much), and ‘draw’ took effect.  WORKING FINE now.  Still….???  That top hole will be about an 8 inch circle when fully done…”coning” to about 4 inches on top.  Using a tomato stand (aka cage – WS)enclosed in vinyl tarp…fastened to the net.  Sure hope all this will do the job, finally.  Been a hassle.
BIG uncovered rear “window” hole in back that yet has to be finished….so fire only able to raise enough heat to take off the inside chill ’til then.

Think that’s all I’ll do on the dome 2day….gotta prepare under the house (insulate pipes, etc.) during the next few days.  Far more important than the dome at this time.  Aho?

ALOT better today then 2-3 days ago.  A REAL “downer” then.  EVERYTHING went wrong.  U  G  H !!!        PTL    GB   re

(WS)

Last spring I saw on the side of the free(YAHOOOO)way, a BRAND NEW 1/2 ton Pickup Bed Liner.  Turned around and got it.  A LITTLE marred from falling off the delivery (?) truck.  NO Cracks, just road scrape.  Would make a good TINY “TENT” ROOF!   Amazing what you can find blown off campers, RVs, etc.    ( :    re

(WS)

Things I’ve gotten FOR FREE and using on my Mini Dome building: Logs, Firewood,  2x4s (toss offs),  Dirt (County ditch clean out),  Rocks, Gravel (rd. side),  Sand, Willow trees,  Bark, Tarp, Wind Generator,   Containers, Wire,  Fence Poles, Net, Colored Bottles (windows), Blankets, Sleeping bags, Pillows, Pots and Pans, 7-11 Knives, Forks, Spoons, Water container.

Bought Items:   Cement / Mortar (Under $100.00)

Stove Pipe and Cap  (- $100.00)

Paint  ($20.00)

Fake Flowers  ($12.00)

Metal Tower for generator ($10.00)

Bath Tub $10.00)   (To be in #2 dome)

Rubber Gloves   (- $6.00)

String   ($3.49)

TOOLS Used:   2 hand shovels  (short and long handles), Garden Trowel, Rake, Hammer, Hatchet, Knife, Lug Wrench, 7-11 Big Gulp Cups, Rubber Gloves, Flashlight, Hand Saw, Pliers.

The chimney could be handmade and save $$ on that.
The cement replaced with Mud/Clay/Weed mixture and save $$ on that.

Things needed to make:  DETERMINATION, Occassional Help,  KNOWLEDGE

Advice:  Start with a general plan.  Do NOT stick TO the general plan (be flexible).
Let the EARTH and Materials “Lead”.

WATCH FOR USEABLE TOSS-OFFS, Etc.

USE YOUR IMAGINATION.  (The “Childlike Mind.”)

Expect goofs and LEARN/UTILIZE.

Study American Indian SWEAT LODGE and ABODE building.

Think SMALL.  START Small.  Expand afterwards, only.

START!

FINISH!

Know a “Gnome Home/Hobbit Hut” has NO MISTAKES in making.  These just ADD TO IT’S NATURAL LOOKS.

Remember:  you are NOT building a “White Man’s” house, you are building a PLACE TO LIVE and Keep Warm/etc.

AHO

Red Elk

(WS)

Mini Report:  yesterday I cleaned out the fireplace.  Made it DEEPER while doing so.  Might have “messed” with the air flow…SMOKE  SMOKE SMOKE!  Very little ‘draw’.  Today I bought 3 copper tubes (3/4 inch) and ran ’em from front to nearly all the way back.  See if air increase would help.  HARDLY A LICK OF Start Up SMOKE!  The least I’ve EVER had!  Then it REALLY BEGAN DRAWING!  Packed it and tested again.  DITTO!
May have beat the problem but won’t know FOR SURE until a stronger wind comes up.   ???

Then cleaned off the bed ledge.  Will pack loose straw around inside ledge and then cover that whole ledge with vinyl tarp, put in my feather bed mattress…then sleeping bags atop.

Round “Half Table” painted and ready to be put in (one half) as a shelf.  Fits dome curve to a “T”.   Might cut the other half into 2 and ditto those as well.  We’ll see.  Maybe use one of ’em as a PC “table” or tiny TV stand.   ???

This place is so small, “clutter” can NOT BE.  Would be wise to have a waterproof lockable storage box outside.  Use, put back.  Aho?
Designed for the BAREST of essentials.

Also got a TOMATO wire stand.  Will cone it with tarp and stick above high spot in main room.  Smoke will escape instead of build-up inside.

So, still moving along!    GB    re

(WS)