Different ways

[gene]

Been a Long long time sence my last post here. I want to try a Different approach to building a eco shell that uses Mounded rock and gravel , shaped well , and Covered with a thick mill plastic sheeting. The rebar will stand off the plastic with treated lumber and adding concrete on it in stages, Building up from the bottom . The shells I want to build are Quanset shape with open ends, 12 foot high and 16 foot wide, maybe 24 foot long .
Once the concrete is cured, excavate the rock and plastic out to be reused on another quanset . Easy to do with open ends and a backhoe . The end exterior walls can be anything . I plan to use large cedar logs of about 1 foot dia, native to the property. The concrete will be formed into a arched reinforced beam on each end of the shell providing a lip . A layer of tar and thick roof rubber membrane will cover the concrete ,with A layer of cement board over that , then one foot of dirt and sod will cover the roof center and fan out from the side walls to berm .
There will be a solar gain grate room ( green house ) that joins the first quanset to the second by the end wall junction . Each Quanset added on will have a "green house" junction of post and beam . One junction will contain a Small indoor pool .
This "green house" Junction can allow the Quansets to be in line, or 90 degrees from the other . Or the whole complex drawing a arc shape . Each Quanset will house 2 rooms, Kitchen & Living , 2 bed rooms with center bath , Utility and garage .

[mkrepel]

This will definitely work. It has been done. The excavation is the key to the structure, both before and after the shell is built. If you own the equipment, and do your own work, the cost should not be too bad. It sounds like you have all figured out.

I didn't see anything about insulation, though. I think there are very few places in the U.S. that would not require insulation under the soil. Whether you go with a PAHS insulation scheme or standard insulation at the walls, roof, and floor, you will probably need something to keep the home comfortable and reduce the possibility of condensation on the inside of the relatively cool walls in the summer.

I don't know...perhaps you said you live in Southern Calif, Florida, or Hawaii? If so, maybe you don't have to worry.

Go for it.

Mike

[lunarcon]

Dirt forms were used by the Romans in making the aquaducts in many locations. I have been a proponent of this technique in disaster areas using the rubble as forming material