[Timberline]

Here's a link to a little earth sheltered home I really like. I don't know if I would have much luck getting something like this past our county building inspectors...

http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm

On the "How" page, you can follow links showing more of the construction, including straw bale wall and floor. Very interesting.

My apologizies if this has been posted before.

 

[Madame]

Now that is a sweet little house!

 

[Tiempo]

A hobbit house!!! I love it!!

And it's in Wales, one of my favourite places in the world

 

[menagerie momma]

My first thought was "Just like a Hobbit house!" It is wonderful!

Jessie

 

[Timberline]

This quote is from the home page of the site. Very innovative people. The whole thing just intrigues me.

"Some key points of the design and construction:

Dug into hillside for low visual impact and shelter
Stone and mud from diggings used for retaining walls, foundations etc.
Frame of oak thinnings (spare wood) from surrounding woodland
Reciprocal roof rafters are structurally and aesthaetically fantastic and very easy to do
Straw bales in floor, walls and roof for super-insulation and easy building
Plastic sheet and mud/turf roof for low impact and ease
Lime plaster on walls is breathable and low energy to manufacture (compared to cement)
Reclaimed (scrap) wood for floors and fittings
Anything you could possibly want is in a rubbish pile somewhere (windows, burner, plumbing, wiring...)
Woodburner for heating - renewable and locally plentiful
Flue goes through big stone/plaster lump to retain and slowly release heat
Fridge is cooled by air coming underground through foundations
Skylight in roof lets in natural feeling light
Solar panels for lighting, music and computing
Water by gravity from nearby spring
Compost toilet
Roof water collects in pond for garden etc."

 

[Jade1096]

OH MY GOODNESS!!!

I'm having a bit of a come-apart here.
I would love to go and visit.

 

[Timberline]

OH MY GOODNESS!!!

I'm having a bit of a come-apart here.
I would love to go and visit.

Me, too. Isn't it wonderful? Did you see the pics of the other homes?

 

[fishhead]

I don't get too excited about "indoor" things but when I saw the hobbit house in Lord of the Rings it really got my attention. Here in the north we get some pretty cold months and that house looked like the perfect place to come home to after a day of X-C skiing.

I wonder how these people deal with the dampness of being underground.

 

[homemom1fl]

I adore it! Thanks for posting. I just love the way the roof looks inside.