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Superadobe is a fun example of a "solution looking for a problem," and I don't think that's categorically a bad thing. These undeniably have a cool tatooine lo

by netcan 11y ago

Superadobe is a fun example of a "solution looking for a problem," and I don't think that's categorically a bad thing. These undeniably have a cool tatooine look. For someone with a bit of land (even a nice sized garden) in arid climates, this could be a fun project to do with teenage kids. Do the workshop(s), plan a structure and build something cool. If you can get salvaged windows, doors and a floor it could be a genuinely useful structure like a studio or fun guest cabin. Landscaping would also be a good project. It would be cool if they had some photos of structures, and the number of hours it would take a couple of amateurs to build it.

dredmorbius 11y ago
http://calearth.org/faq.html#timetobuild http://calearth.org/faq.html#timetobuild The construction schedule depends on how large the project is and how much labor is available. There are optimal numbers of personnel if the project is to be built without any kind of mechanization. The rate at which the mix is produced dictates how fast a project can go. The optimal number seems to be 7 persons where one or two are making mix and the remainder are split into two groups laying two bags at the same time. From past experience there are some fairly predictable estimates as to what can be achieved: 1) Three reasonably-fit persons can work very efficiently laying 100 linear ft of bag per day. 2) A double eco-dome (see web-site under "buildings and designs" can be built in just 10 weeks. (This is bag work alone - and it is estimated that all finish work will take about the same amount of time.) There are, of course, time-saving techniques which are discussed during workshops and training sessions.
- netcan 11y ago
  Cool! Though, one of those double eco-domes is a pretty ambitious project for a weekend DIY-er. It's a whole tatooine house!^ What I had in mind is say, a 3-4 meter (diameter) dome with one door, one small window. How long would that take 1 parent + 2 (lazy goodfornothing) teens? Another small project might be 1.5m walls to surround an existing gazebo or emote other backyard structure. IE, something that's undeniably a building but is accessible, ideally as far under 1,000 man-hours as possible. ^If you build one of these, please don't leave out the below surface courtyard. It's essential!
ianbicking 11y ago
Here's a similar system for building retaining walls: http://www.envirolok.com/ http://www.envirolok.com/ – using perforated bags allows for drainage, and plants can recolonize the stabalized wall.

by netcan 11y ago

dredmorbius 11y ago

http://calearth.org/faq.html#timetobuild http://calearth.org/faq.html#timetobuild The construction schedule depends on how large the project is and how much labor is available. There are optimal numbers of personnel if the project is to be built without any kind of mechanization. The rate at which the mix is produced dictates how fast a project can go. The optimal number seems to be 7 persons where one or two are making mix and the remainder are split into two groups laying two bags at the same time. From past experience there are some fairly predictable estimates as to what can be achieved: 1) Three reasonably-fit persons can work very efficiently laying 100 linear ft of bag per day. 2) A double eco-dome (see web-site under "buildings and designs" can be built in just 10 weeks. (This is bag work alone - and it is estimated that all finish work will take about the same amount of time.) There are, of course, time-saving techniques which are discussed during workshops and training sessions.

netcan 11y ago
Cool! Though, one of those double eco-domes is a pretty ambitious project for a weekend DIY-er. It's a whole tatooine house!^ What I had in mind is say, a 3-4 meter (diameter) dome with one door, one small window. How long would that take 1 parent + 2 (lazy goodfornothing) teens? Another small project might be 1.5m walls to surround an existing gazebo or emote other backyard structure. IE, something that's undeniably a building but is accessible, ideally as far under 1,000 man-hours as possible. ^If you build one of these, please don't leave out the below surface courtyard. It's essential!

ianbicking 11y ago

Here's a similar system for building retaining walls: http://www.envirolok.com/ http://www.envirolok.com/ – using perforated bags allows for drainage, and plants can recolonize the stabalized wall.