My Underground house build

I Googled Ooggidee Booggidee Productions and I guess they are in Rogersville, Missouri

(if that hasn't been mentioned already in this thread LOL)

So you can call those guys if you are near

I want to let you all know that work on Zac's underground has has come to a halt, temporarily, until more funds are gathered. When will that happen? I don't know, but I will be glad to post further pictures when the project resumes.

    While using a crane without adequate reach I've attached a weighted collar to the end I want to point down. I can't tell if you're cementing these posts directly into the ground. If so the collar can be set so that it rests on the ground with just the right amount of the post sticking into the concrete. This makes bracing it up simpler since it's not trying to sink further into the mix while you monkey with it. Of course if you're setting your post into saddles none of what I've said applies.

I was looking forward to a recent report on the build. As winter is rapidly approaching, I think that no more work has been done.

I have moved away from Zac's place so I can not see what has or not has been done lately.

Hopefully, Zac will give us a report.

Guess what? I'm back! We have set almost all the perlins and have the lumber and the rubber for the decking. We will be decking on Monday. I have a few pics here for ya, you can see the discoloration from setting in the sun and rain. I'm not sure how to get them back to there original white/yellow color. Any ideas? I am going to put the rubber up and drape it over the sides so I can work on the drainage and walls. I bought a bunch of firebrick off craigslist. I think one of the first things I am going to do is put is a rocket stove. I have a bunch of green house plastic for some temp walls.
Pics will be here in just a second.
You got your computer fixed Rudy?

Here are the pics of the perlins, the pine lumber and the rolls of rubber. It took two days to set all the perlins and I imagine it will take a day to deck the roof.

From the front.

from the low end.

yep

Nice to see that the project has begun again. Nice pics. Take lots of pics and post them. Everyone loves to see pictures.

Did you peg the purlins in with rebar?

Yes, my computer is working again.

pine 1x12s  and
good to hear from you Rudy.

7-10x50 rolls of 45mil epdm rubber

We did attach the purlins with 1/2" rebar.

Gotta love that flatbed hauler truck of yours. You are lucky to have that.

I am grateful to see this live again!

Jason Long wrote:
I am grateful to see this live again!

Me too!

Ok, we have decked the roof and rolled the rubber out. We put plastic all the way around except for the uphill patio section. I should have a dry work space for the winter.
The next step is to dig the drainage lines and get that done. I may have a spring at the uphill patio so drainage is key for this house to work. Of course it is key to any underground house.
The next step is to get cedars cut and debarked for the posts along the outer walls. They will be set on 3' centers. That is going to be about 30 posts, I have 9 as of now. so I need about 21 or so.
I have pics of the decking but not with the rubber on yet. I will get those tomorrow.

more decking pics

and

also

how about these

getting dark

last of the decking pics

Awesome. I like the color difference of the purlins and the pine.

I might add that I did two layers of the 1"x12' pine decking. I do not have pics of the roof with the second layer on.

I didn't think I would like the color diff, but I do now.

It looks like you are using an air compressor and nail gun for the pine boards. Did you run the second layer perpendicular to the first layer?

I can't wait to see more, post some more pics! 

Awesome build!  I really appreciate you documenting the whole thing.  I hope to do something similar in the future (smaller though). 

How did you deal with getting the roofing rubber?  I have been thinking about the possibility of using billboard tarps.  "Tough, Tear Resistant, 15-17 mil thick, Waterproof, 13-16 oz per sq. yd, Anti-UV, Vinyl, Anti-Mildew, 3-Ply Material"

I guess that Zac and I became Hatfields. Don't tell the McCoys. Apparently, I am now a gardener as well. Not much is gonna grow out there at this time.

I hope my Hatfield cousin will post some more pictures.

Why has the format of this site changed? Perhaps I should address that question to the moderator.

Rudy Hatfield wrote:I guess that Zac and I became Hatfields. Don't tell the McCoys. Apparently, I am now a gardener as well. Not much is gonna grow out there at this time.

I hope my Hatfield cousin will post some more pictures.

Why has the format of this site changed? Perhaps I should address that question to the moderator.

Paul changed the software that runs it. Apparently the old software was having problems... I don't know the details. It looks like he has tried to keep things as close to what we are used to as he could. There are still some things to work out.... like the dates ... once set to "today" stay that way even when today has passed. I think that this software expects a first and a last name. I was a McCoy..... being Irish, I was not so sure

Pictures are good.

Hey guys, I got the drainage installed after some jack hammering and the rental of a small track hoe. We are ready to start installing the posts around the outer walls. I am going to use cedars and oaks for that. I will get some pics posted today.
I have to go, I'll be back this afternoon.

conpewter McCoy wrote:Awesome build!  I really appreciate you documenting the whole thing.  I hope to do something similar in the future (smaller though). 

How did you deal with getting the roofing rubber?  I have been thinking about the possibility of using billboard tarps.  "Tough, Tear Resistant, 15-17 mil thick, Waterproof, 13-16 oz per sq. yd, Anti-UV, Vinyl, Anti-Mildew, 3-Ply Material"

I had to buy it outright. I didn't have time to try and find good deals on that much rubber. I had to get the decking covered before moister got to it. I bought 45mil rubber in 10' x 50' rolls. It was expensive but worth it. I think it was around 45 cents a sq ft.

Inquiring minds want to know. Where are the new pictures? Rubber on the roof etc.

crazac Hatfield wrote:I didn't think I would like the color diff, but I do now.

I think form follows function. To me, "looks good" and "works well" are pretty close to the same thing.... looks pretty but leaks, over heats, or whatever... is ugly. I think part of wild building (not following the herd), is some of the uneven kinds of things that happen. These things can bring life to a project.

MAYBE IF I YELL LOUD ENOUGH, ZAC WILL POST SOME NEW PHOTOS!!!

Zac, this is totally awesome. Thank you for posting all this. I am in the very early stages of a similar project based on Oehler's book (still digging my hole). Seeing all your progress helps me visualize where I'm going a bit better. I was wondering if you have any diagrams of your layout? Specifically I am curious about your post spacing.
Cheers!

awesome thread, filled with lots of awesome pictures:)
also fucking sweet that you were able to work with some amish people, that had to have been quite the experience!

i hope you continue to post lots of pictures and when it is all said and done, make sure to let us know how much it all cost:)

This is one of the coolest projects I've seen in a long time. Keep up the work and PLEASE post more pictures.

Joshua