Earthbag Plans - Version 2

Cristobal Cristo wrote:Sherry,

I find it a little bit off that the cellar is on the southern side and the room that should be warmest - bathroom is on the northern.
Also, if I had a chance to design from scratch, I would put a heating stove in the center of your round house and add a cooking stove to it, so they would use the same chimney with two flues:

-you would have even radiation of heat from the center of the circle, instead of partially heating southern wall (adjacent to the cellar) and being farthest from the bathroom
-your chimney would pierce the roof in the center, where the roof probably will be the tallest (dome, cone?)

R Scott wrote:Glenn nailed it.

You NEED a landing space for hot pans from the oven, so a little heat proof counter or rolling cart that can park there or roll out as an island.

You don’t want that sharp corner in the counter. If you round the inside of that corner you will have a much better workspace. Think about that corner for what you will put in the cabinets, it can be a real dead space. Looks like a good place for a small water heater but a pain to work on.

The egress windows are a good piece of code. This is one of those times I would go through the hassle and expense of a skylight if that is what it takes to get a second exit from the bedroom.

Glenn Herbert wrote:Using your 21' inside diameter and the layout sketch, I did a scaled sketch. All of the fixtures are actual size.This is a very tight layout - you might need to use mini versions of some things, like a less than 4' standard table. I don't know if you can get a bed smaller than a standard double without it being too skinny for two.

Cristobal Cristo wrote:I really like the modification by Glenn!
I would just remove the refrigerator to the cellar and the washing machine out of the house.
At 32 m2 the space is precious.

Sherry Willis wrote:

Sherry Willis wrote:

Glenn Herbert wrote:Using your 21' inside diameter and the layout sketch, I did a scaled sketch. All of the fixtures are actual size.This is a very tight layout - you might need to use mini versions of some things, like a less than 4' standard table. I don't know if you can get a bed smaller than a standard double without it being too skinny for two.

Oh my gosh, thank you so much!!!  Can I have permission to use this??

We've lived full time in a 14'x6' Sprinter van for almost 6 years now, so we're pretty good at packing a lot in a small space.  Stove will be a 20" apartment stove and refrigerator will be apartment sized (24" wide) so that will help.  We'll probably do a washer/dryer combo so there will be more storage space in there, but maybe just a compact stackable.

I'd say we'll do either a drop-leaf or a bistro set for the dining area.

Bathroom won't have normal fixtures at all, but a custom ferrocement setup that combines everything including the composting toilet bench, in-floor soaking tub in the shower with a cedar lid so it can also be the shower floor and a tiny wood stove in the corner for a sauna effect if we want.  I think rather than having a linen closet in the back, we'll add that to the bedroom closet and put the shower along the whole back of the room.  That way less of the room is necessary for traffic area.

I think the bed will be best long ways and that "wasted" space in the corner can become a bookshelf.

The shape isn't truly round, it's actually a spiral, but I think your version works better since it adds more depth to the house AND it will be much easier to mark out.  Looks like I'll be building another scale model!!

This is what we've been living in for the last 6 years:

Glenn Herbert wrote:Another thought for accommodating the bed against the outer wall: move a 5' stretch of that wall for the lower 3 feet out by 8" or a foot and straighten it, then above that "arch" the regular curve over the space so the overall structure maintains the curve. This would be super easy in cob, not much trickier in earthbags.

Jay Angler wrote:I recognize that this plan will be a significant upgrade in living space, and that you've acknowledged Glenn and R Scott's concerns, but  - that horrible word - but I'm still concerned that the stove is between the only full sized exit, and a possible exit over the sink. If the bedroom window is designed and set up to be a *really practical* quick and easy exit, even if you just broke your leg two days ago, I'd be much less worried.

What would you guys think about the window that's closest to the door to the future cold space were to become the full-sized door (assuming you go for the smaller RMH bench idea), and the current door could turn back into a window. That would get the door further from any kitchen/stove fire.

I would note that your Sprint pictures (which are lovely), show 3 practical exits that could all be quick to use in an emergency.

Glenn Herbert wrote:Having laid out the fixtures to scale in a 21' circle, I think a 22' circle would accommodate your plans comfortably enough instead of having to scrimp and squeeze everywhere.

I can understand your reluctance to try the bed bumpout, though I believe it would work fine if done properly. Increasing the whole thing if you can afford it would work better.

Sherry Willis wrote:The back doors of the van do not open easily from the inside due to the height of the bed, so we really only have two exits, unless we were to break out the skylight and then Jump 9' off the roof.