Tucson / Pima County / Southeast Arizona

Is there anyone in my area with experience in constructing the earthbag type of buildings with whom I might meet and perhaps see how it works?  

fred greek wrote:Is there anyone in my area with experience in constructing the earthbag type of buildings with whom I might meet and perhaps see how it works?  

You might contact the folks at www.unitedearthbuilders.com in Joshua Tree, California. I don't think they are too far from you.

I believe some of the closest people to you are in Benson, AZ.  Here is their website: My Little Homestead superadobe (earth bag) builders in Arizona

And here is a video about one of the homes they've built.  They've done a ton of little homes for and with their extremely capable kids now, and have a LOT of videos up with the process.  Including plastering, which they have some worthwhile experiences and opinions about since they tried at least a couple methods.  In my opinion, the weak point in these buildings is in the plastering method used.



I believe they did the training at CalEarth, in Hesperia, CA. CalEarth California Institute of Earth Architecture in Hesperia, CA   My husband and I did the basic training at Calearth for the building part, and additional study in Joshua Tree at the Bonita Domes, where sometimes  the owner holds day workshops showing how they were built and what she's learned in the years they've been standing.

The training at Calearth very worthwhile.  If you can make the trip for one of their workshops, you can get not only hands-on experience, but also most of your questions answered.  And you'll see their existing buildings, some of which are experimental and show a lot of learning lessons.

My husband and I are hoping to build this way in Cochise County in the future.  Keep in touch!

Bill and Athena Steen are in Canelo, which is just beyond Sonoita and well worth the trip.

http://www.caneloproject.com/

Even better, in your area there are rammed earth builders. Seriously beautiful buildings!

If anyone is working on an earthbag project in southern AZ, and would like some help. I'd love to volunteer my time to learn more hands on building.

fred greek wrote:Is there anyone in my area with experience in constructing the earthbag type of buildings with whom I might meet and perhaps see how it works?  

Hi there,
Canelo project might help, bean tree farm has rammed earth buildings,  cob or free form adobe is a good way to build around here to.
Good luck

Check this video for some inspiration

We will be building a superadobe home in Pearce, AZ beginning soon (next couple months or so). We plan to start with a simple small structure based on training from CalEarth, which will be used for storage/utility. From there, water storage tanks and then main home. If you'd like hands-on experience, we'd love the help!

Jason Reiman wrote:We will be building a superadobe home in Pearce, AZ beginning soon (next couple months or so). We plan to start with a simple small structure based on training from CalEarth, which will be used for storage/utility. From there, water storage tanks and then main home. If you'd like hands-on experience, we'd love the help!

Jason. I’m looking at land around Pearce area /Cochise and was wondering if I could pick your brain for info??!

Rusty Empire wrote:

Jason Reiman wrote:We will be building a superadobe home in Pearce, AZ beginning soon (next couple months or so). We plan to start with a simple small structure based on training from CalEarth, which will be used for storage/utility. From there, water storage tanks and then main home. If you'd like hands-on experience, we'd love the help!

Jason. I’m looking at land around Pearce area /Cochise and was wondering if I could pick your brain for info??!

Sure! Happy to help.

Jason Reiman wrote:

Rusty Empire wrote:

Jason Reiman wrote:We will be building a superadobe home in Pearce, AZ beginning soon (next couple months or so). We plan to start with a simple small structure based on training from CalEarth, which will be used for storage/utility. From there, water storage tanks and then main home. If you'd like hands-on experience, we'd love the help!

Jason. I’m looking at land around Pearce area /Cochise and was wondering if I could pick your brain for info??!

Sure! Happy to help.

So how do you like Pearce so far as a community? I know they allow non traditional building on over 4 acres (hallelujah 😹) so I’m leaning towards the area. I’m also interested in areas around Sierra vista, green valley, and Bisbee. Any feedback/advice/thoughts would be so awesome!

Rusty Empire wrote:

Jason Reiman wrote:

Rusty Empire wrote:

Jason Reiman wrote:We will be building a superadobe home in Pearce, AZ beginning soon (next couple months or so). We plan to start with a simple small structure based on training from CalEarth, which will be used for storage/utility. From there, water storage tanks and then main home. If you'd like hands-on experience, we'd love the help!

Jason. I’m looking at land around Pearce area /Cochise and was wondering if I could pick your brain for info??!

Sure! Happy to help.

So how do you like Pearce so far as a community? I know they allow non traditional building on over 4 acres (hallelujah 😹) so I’m leaning towards the area. I’m also interested in areas around Sierra vista, green valley, and Bisbee. Any feedback/advice/thoughts would be so awesome!

I sort of fell in love with the area a few years ago. Everyone seems nice. It's Cochise County - so still with the Owner Builder Opt Out (OBOO) provision for building/inspections. You'll want to make sure the property you choose is properly zoned (RU4 and some others). A lot of the parcels available in the area are NOT available to work under the OBOO. We almost purchased a property that was not zoned appropriately and would have either had to scrap our building ideas or go through the regular permitting/inspection processes. I'm not opposed to that as I feel the regulations exist to help protect people in general - but if you do your homework and work safe and smart - the OBOO is quite awesome. We're just getting started on all this - overall rural Cochise County, in general, seems like a great community of like-minded people trying to do right by the land, wildlife and people around them.

Jason Reiman wrote:

Rusty Empire wrote:

Jason Reiman wrote:

Rusty Empire wrote:

Jason Reiman wrote:We will be building a superadobe home in Pearce, AZ beginning soon (next couple months or so). We plan to start with a simple small structure based on training from CalEarth, which will be used for storage/utility. From there, water storage tanks and then main home. If you'd like hands-on experience, we'd love the help!

Jason. I’m looking at land around Pearce area /Cochise and was wondering if I could pick your brain for info??!

Sure! Happy to help.

So how do you like Pearce so far as a community? I know they allow non traditional building on over 4 acres (hallelujah 😹) so I’m leaning towards the area. I’m also interested in areas around Sierra vista, green valley, and Bisbee. Any feedback/advice/thoughts would be so awesome!

I sort of fell in love with the area a few years ago. Everyone seems nice. It's Cochise County - so still with the Owner Builder Opt Out (OBOO) provision for building/inspections. You'll want to make sure the property you choose is properly zoned (RU4 and some others). A lot of the parcels available in the area are NOT available to work under the OBOO. We almost purchased a property that was not zoned appropriately and would have either had to scrap our building ideas or go through the regular permitting/inspection processes. I'm not opposed to that as I feel the regulations exist to help protect people in general - but if you do your homework and work safe and smart - the OBOO is quite awesome. We're just getting started on all this - overall rural Cochise County, in general, seems like a great community of like-minded people trying to do right by the land, wildlife and people around them.

Can you speak at all on your preferred towns in the region? For vibe, amenities, etc.

Jason Reiman wrote:We will be building a superadobe home in Pearce, AZ beginning soon (next couple months or so). We plan to start with a simple small structure based on training from CalEarth, which will be used for storage/utility. From there, water storage tanks and then main home. If you'd like hands-on experience, we'd love the help!

Hi there! Do you need assistance in your build? Or have you hired contractors/help? I am seeking an opportunity to work on projects this summer after I complete my first session at CalEarth in June. Please let me know if I can be of assistance.

Hi, Jason! How are your projects going? We are also in the area and looking to learn more about potentially modifying earthbag, cob, adobe, etc. ideas for a hybrid home. I'd love to help out on site in exchange for knowledge and experience and I'll check with my partner about it as well. But I'd also just love to hear how it's going!

I've helped on a few earthbag builds and one cob in southern az
If yall are looking for hired help
acicularisrosa@gmail.com

Glad to see so many comments from SE AZ. Question for y'all that were talking about Cochise county. I just recently learned about the opt out option there and possibly in Greenlee county. I'm assuming that's why so many are choosing that area. Has anyone researched counties in northern or central AZ? Really interested in Coconino county. Has anyone built an earthbag home and dealt with codes/permits and inspections? Also, looks like an older thread, is anyone aware of current builds ongoing that could use volunteers? Would love some hands on experience before we begin our journey.  We're in the Tucson area.

I have a 40 acre parcel behind the Pearce cemetery and am wondering if anyone currently building earth bag know what a well cost is running?

We have a garage structure on our property that has seen better days. We live in midtown Tucson in a very small house and are hoping to expand our living space by converting the dilapidated garage to a master bedroom or even a studio apartment. Looking at the water damage and large crack in the concrete foundation, we're wondering if we shouldn't just start from square one, which will expand our building material options. We'd for sure prefer doing this as sustainably and affordably as possible but aren't even sure where to begin. I can't find anything online about codes specific to earthbag building within city limits. I'm also wondering where our earth would come from since our lot is not that big either and we have close neighbors on all sides. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!