Chris Ingham

Alright Sam

I know about Mark Reynolds. I saw the documentary and took his book off CIS.com. He's the root of all the inspiration for the idea. People have been following his idea and attending seminars all over the world. They do some charity work abroad as well but sometimes struggle to find the funding so only half finish jobs..... but they're stilll happy to spread the idea and the knowledge, good guys!! The only thing is, he's from a warm climate so I have no idea if the Earthships will work well in the UK. Theres one at Brighton University and a few others dotted about so I'll have to research them and see wat works well and what fails. Like I said.... for me its still early doors. At least 3 yrs of uni left!

I like the sound of Lime crete you mentioned. But again its something that I'd have to look at when using in a earthship in UK climate because of its breathability. The whole idea is to create a really well insulated bubble with adequate ventilation, so if any moisture or air gets through the floor it may disrupt or cause thermal bridging, turning a potentially classy warm cosy natural vibe for my home into a dark dank hole in the floor! But the idea defo sounds better than concrete.

Sheet mulching sounds like a good idea to prevent back and bending with a shovel. I was on a site where they used rubber sheeting with hexagonal holes instead of laying a hardcore foundation for a tarmac path. It went straight on top of woodland ground and still stands strong today. I presume you like no digging for enviromental reasons?

Everyones place on here sounds pretty epic. Acres left right an centre!! Just to inform you all.... unless I find myself heading over to a warm climate in Canada.... I will be needing a small plot at the bottom of an acre in maybe 10 to 20 years time lol

So much has happened in just 2 days. Wow...... we're enterprising lol! But I dont know how to reply so I'll just post

Been on with first semester exams..... finished.... get in!

Sam. What drew me to the earthship was the discreteness, and how the wall of windows would create a chilled living environment and I love the idea of the sun warming it an the earth insulating it. I hear what your saying about the high volume of concrete but theres a few different designs out there to get round that. Like the walls being made out of recycled tyres rammed with earth. Once the earth is packed into them they're solid building blocks. Thick and quite water resistant..... rubber.... before any extra dpm is added. then theres the wooden roof. A glass wall, leaving just the floor. I've been thinkin about different designs but only briefly..... like a raised stone floor on stilts with hot air from a chimney passing beneath the floor, like the romans. Undoubtedly the easiest would be to pour a concrete insulated raft foundation, still a fair bit of concrete but alot less than a modern house. Any ideas welcome.

What your doing with your land sounds pretty epic. 6 acres? I imagine back breaking graft has got to go into that! I also like the sound of straw bales and timber construction. I bet the look, atmosphere, feel and warmth are all real gems. Have seen one already constructed? Do they smell a bit funky?

Katy. Thats along way north but i happen to have read abit about foundations not so long ago. The high water table doesn't stop you from building. But if you build straight on to it your stables will sink as the water is slowly squeezed out of the soil under the load of the barn..... maybe to the point your horse can eat the roof! And if it settles unevenly it can ruin your foundations and they crack.

You could either use pile foundations driving through the soil to a depth of solid stratum and build strip foundations of the piled concrete.

Use a steel rod inforced raft foundation so the load of the barn is spread evenly over a large area.

Use wide steel rod reinforced strip foundations.

Or, I think this the best, dig a moat around the stable and down the hill, fill it with stones, creating a drainage channel for groundwater to drain through. You can cover it over and the water will still drain. Then build your stable on the island.

But at least your soil is clay! Thats got a high plasticity and tends to settle evenly which is all good. When you thinking of building?


Alison Freeth-Thomas....... No..... You sellout!

lol I'm only playin course it counts........ come help us build!! lol

Xx

Hey Katy

I'm from Bradford studying in Leeds. How far north are you?

Your right Sam, there's plenty going on. I'm going to have to spread the word about the ecobuild at Uni, see who's up for it. I saw a programme on the box about the self sustained villages in Wales but I cant remember the names either. They've built some pretty cool homes though. For me the challenge is making an earthship eco friendly but ensuring I can still run the luxuries of a modern home, TV, music, hot showers and keep it warm. want to see if the balance bewteen the two is acheivable.

You realise with that much land you could build your very own earthship and nobody would even know it was there! lol. Or even your own natural swimming pool, they look pretty cool..... I can only hope that one day.....! lol Y

Do keep me informed about your possible build.... I presume you'll be the grand designer. And as I say if I'm free I'll come down and muck in

Alright Mate

Thanks for the welcome!

I here there are a few self sustained communities in Wales. If I get the chance I'll head over to CAT.

I'm in my first year of building Surveying BSc so I'm looking to learn as much as possible. Theres an eco conference down in London this March. Free tickets at ecobuild.co.uk if your interested. I;m gonna head down if I'm free.

Sam are you studying a full degree..... if so what stage are you at? If you dont mind me asking.

Like I said. Anyone working on any big projects and after labour give me a shout. I'll be checking regularly and it'd be good to exchange current and new ideas in the future.

Speak soon

Chris

Hi Guys.

I've just signed up today. The exact same thing on my mind.... Any English folk here?

I'm studying building surveying at Uni and I love the eco side of construction. One day I wanna be building my own Earthship... but I dont wanna get ahead of myself just yet! I'll be online checking this site out often.

If anyone out there in the UK is undergoing any projects.... earthships ideally..... but any sort of eco build. I'd love of offer my services as a labourer if I'm free.

Before Uni I was labouring for 4 years on sites. I'll do it for free.... or maybe alittle food to nibble but it's more about learning on the job to be honest.

Hope to speak soon guys and girls