WHAT ARE EARTHBAGS AND WHY AM I BUILDING WITH THEM?

Building with earthbags is essentially building with adobe bricks without going through the lengthy process of making them. You take polypropylene sandbags, fill them with a moist mix of sand and clay, tamp them down hard and connect the layers with 4 point barbed wire. Then, you cover them over with an earthen plaster.

In reality, I didn't use polypropylene bags. Some Brasilians started a type of construction they call hyperadobe which uses mesh bags, or continuous tubing, made from the same material as the onion or potato bags in the grocery store. They don't require barbed wire, though otherwise the process is just about the same.

As I talk about in the blog posts, my design has been guided by simplicity and efficiency. More than anything, what's been most important to me is to live in a house that I myself, with no building experience whatsoever, can design, build and maintain. A natural extension of that has been the desire to live in a peaceful space. For me that means a home that's in tune with nature, thus limiting the use of imported materials for construction, in addition to those that will be needed later on, such as for heating. Please enjoy reading, ask me any questions, get inspired, and come help and learn!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

So, How Much Did It Cost?

Throughout the summer, I kept track of my expenses here.

$9513--Not all that accurate as it includes costs that aren't really valid, such as the cost of my tent.

$8068--The total cost of materials and labor. It still includes some things that maybe shouldn't be there, like the water tank. I've broken it down to smaller expense categories as well.

Hardware:$663
Windows and Doors, Including Frame/Lintel: $1075
Labor: $950
Backhoe/Tractor: $1300
Wall Material: $425
Roof/Ceiling Material: $2390
Foundation Material: $1050
Plumbing, Including Cistern ($740): $888

Having broken it down, I would say it cost $5743 for materials--excluding labor, excavation and the cistern. Given that it's about 500 square feet, that translates to $11.5/sq. foot! Including the above excluded, it would come to $16/sq foot. I haven't finished it yet, so costs such as the gutter, indoor plumbing, including the water pump, solar panels and sand to finish the plaster, amongst many other things, have yet to be added in.

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8 comments:

  1. YogiYulaNovember 10, 2011 at 5:06 AM

    Hi Aly,

    I was wondering what options are there for a person who is unemployed to build their own earth home?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Susan Carpenter SimsNovember 10, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    This is so totally encouraging. I'm so glad I finally have a friend who's good with money to learn from.

    I MISS YOU!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Aly b.November 11, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    I miss you too!!!
    Strange not to talk to you every day. Soon enough again!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Aly b.November 11, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    Options are the same as they are for everyone else. You're just lucky because it means you have more time on your hands :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. k haasNovember 23, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    AWESOME!! This is very inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Andy PDecember 8, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    Love this house!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Franz DelinzskyJanuary 3, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    Hola, te felicito tienes una casa muy linda, quedó increible.
    Besos Ivan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aly b.January 23, 2012 at 9:59 AM

      Thanks you guys!! Hope you're doing well. Much love.

      Delete

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