For More Ferrocement info - 

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Earth Sheltered

Earth Sheltered primer:

Probably the safest, most energy efficient (uses the Earth's under-layer temperature to moderate heat/cold, instead of insulation - it's naturally cooler in summer, and warmer in winter.  It will never freeze if done properly. 

If you are on a very low budget, search and read the "$50 & up underground house" book. It also gives more upscale plans and ideas, and the author lives in a simple house himself, near the Canadian border, grows tomatoes till Dec, uses very little heat, etc.

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Straw Bale -

Straw Bale housing was even used by pioneers in Nebraska, and still standing. They must be done right though, to prevent mold, cracks, etc. There are various ways to go.  Here is a link to a site with 50 already done plans (many unique) you can look at and use, or pay a few hundred for full detailed plans. http://www.balewatch.com/

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Dirt Bags/Ceramic

If you're interested in truly "dirt cheap" sustainable environmentally friendly clay, earth bag/adobe, super adobe and ceramic house construction methods etc. (we'll also be experimenting with these) go to http://www.calearth.org 

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Javier Senosiain Aguilar

The architect, Javier Senosiain Aguilar. His houses may not be to everyone's liking, because his designs are like works of art. But I love them. He calls his architectural style, "organic architecture" (because he draws from nature, and integrates his buildings into the natural surroundings). Because of the various ferro-cement building methods, they are free-form, very flowing, and can even have built in desks, sinks, bed-nooks, bookshelves, counters, etc. They are beautiful, totally unique designs that blend into and compliment the environment. You can see a large number of photos of his work portfolio at  http://www.bioarquitectura.com (I've unlinked the site for now because it wasn't working last time I checked, and has been known to be down for months at a time. You can check if it's working by cutting and pasting it into your browser address bar - and please let us know if it's working again). Or see a few sample photos of his ferrocement semi-earth-sheltered designs (garden tops) here. If you speak to/email Javier, he only speaks spanish, and please, tell him you were referred to him by the people with the project in the Rocky Mountains of CO, that he came out to visit and help.

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Dale's incredible earth-sheltered building kits, and subcontracting.

Unlike the dark, cave-like image conjured by the term, Dale is one of the first earth-sheltered builders, and "open, with lot's of natural daylight" is one of their goals (unlike many others who do build "cave-like" buildings. We've known him and his company for decades. 

Dale's homes are basically super strong, earth-sheltered homes that can look like a mountain if you want it to, or conventional house to fit right into the neighborhood.  But boy are they anything but conventional when it comes to their major pluses. 

They are similar to ferro-cement, but take a different approach, using arches and hubs connected with rebar for the main structural integrity. He has built many of them, they meet building codes, and he even tells you how to get them approved by lenders.

He sells kits, helps owner-builders, and does complete contracting if you'd prefer.  

Here are some features he cites:

• No major maintenance for more than 100 years
• Little or no heating/cooling needed - never worry about power/energy outages
• 50 foot "free span" allows spacious Interior
• Thin shell construction (four inches)
• 90% fewer pollutants & allergens than standard housing
• Virtually impervious to moisture and insects
• Tornado-proof, hurricane-proof, earthquake-proof
• Estimated life span 200 to 1,000 years
• Creates MORE green space (nature) instead of lessening it.
• Lower power/heating/cooling needs reduce greenhouse emissions and global warming
• Never been denied a building permit in any state

Here's a few other things they say:

YES!   You can build a beautiful, nearly disaster proof home that is so environmentally friendly and energy efficient that the Environmental Protection Agency doesn't have a rating for it. These amazing, affordable homes are not only nearly maintenance free, they will be a long-term investment that you could pass down to your children and grandchildren! Costs to build are comparable to a standard wood-frame home, and they don't require any specialized skills or quirky techniques to construct.

How many other housing systems could bear the enormous weight of a cement truck resting atop its roof? What other structural system could bear the weight of a full-sized bulldozer driven over the top?

Several of these homes have been subjected to some of the worst natural disasters in the USA and weathered them unscathed. The natural disasters that have tested the design have ranged from tornadoes and blizzards to several earthquakes, some over the 7.0 mark on the Richter scale! In every case, the homes have come away without any structural damage. The earth-sheltered structure was also tested at a military test-facility against a simulated nuclear explosion in the multi-kiloton range and, again, was undamaged!

Suspro (we) are hoping to sub-contract for Dale in the near future, so to get in touch with him, email us.

See some pictures of his earth-sheltered designs here

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