Concept, Tiny Passive Solar Hoop House Earthship Cabin

I had an idea that I had to try and map out in cad. I had the thought of using my greenhouse design and making it into an affordable Tiny Home/Passive Solar Hoop House/Earthship Cabin. The hoops would be made from 3/4" steel tubing. The whole cabin would be wrapped in plastic, and the back section within the earth would be wrapped in 45mil Pond liner.  What would be the issues with something like this?

Seems like a good idea, but I would rather use glass over plastic. I know this is more work, but how often would you have to replace the plastic due to UV radiation? Also I don't want to breathe any gick from the plastic degrading.

Justin Gerardot wrote:Seems like a good idea, but I would rather use glass over plastic. I know this is more work, but how often would you have to replace the plastic due to UV radiation? Also I don't want to breathe any gick from the plastic degrading.

True, the plastic would last 4-8 years. I could cover the back of the cabin in corrugated steel or aluminum, and put glass on the front like this.

I think I like the second layout better anyway.  On any sunny day, the greenhouse portion will get over 80 and possibly 100 degrees, even in winter.  In summer you probably want to limit the solar gain.  Be sure to include lots of ventilation, ideally inlet vents down low and exit vents up high.  Those seem to work better than just having windows on each end at the same height.

I would consider an earth tube as the inlet for summer cooling. You will be moving dirt anyways, might as well get more use out of the rental. I agree with Mike, the second version looks better.

Looks great, have you considered the structural needs. I encourage you to build it first and quickly with plastic, work out the issues you find on the way, then finish it with glass someday..  Anyone hear of using plants, deep rooting plants, as geothermal loops?

guess i missed this thread the first time around
looks similar to what i was sketching up

one thing i wanted was a drop off in front of the glazing to allow snow to slough off and pile up without obstructing the window

where i am going to build i figure it needs to be at least 10 feet to allow piling
drifting may be an issue too with prevailing northwest winds

hope the build works well for you!

oh, one more thing i should mention
i changed my plans from steel support to wood support to lessen the transfer of cold from outside and through the double(i am thinking triple) layers