Bill Bacon

This is my first system ever and it seems to fall half way in between the simple and sophisticated by the definitions so I am going to place it here.

Two IBC tanks in line for 2000L capacity that will fill up with around 2-3" of rain.  You can see in the first image, I installed this off our house's existing gutter with a gutter diverter.  After that, the gutter runs along the side of the deck to the first flush diverter with the leaf eater attachment.

After the first flush fills up the water starts kicking over to the tank.  I've installed an overflow, a secure valve for backfilling during dry spells that will keep bugs out while filling, and a tank level gauge.

This is about 9ft above out garden and gets decent flow.  We anticipate using installed irrigation from here (which is why I put the backfill valve in) in the future and are also considering setting up a "water tower" IBC tank locally downhill that this would all feed to.

Stay tuned!

John C Daley wrote:I doubt you will need an architect to build that.
In Australia we use Steel garage https://alansfactoryoutlet.com/metal-garages-missouri-mo/ kits and here is a company near you I found.
Looking at your list all items are easily created.
I would start with;
- the basement excavation
- basement slab, maybe not full size
- brick walls
- Suspended slab for the upper floor
- Have shed built on that.
As for your other points
- Metal roof is a perfect medium to use
- Details of rainfall collection are detailed in my signature

Thanks for this... This one here might be too wide in particular but I can keep looking for something along these lines.

Thanks!

Hello!

I'm on a couple of acres and even though I have a gardening shed, I am realizing I'd like to have a bigger outbuilding.

Basically, it would combine the following functions while complying with local building code:
1. 1 car garage
2. Attached workshop space
3. Walkout basement (it's on a hillside)
4. Solar on metal roof
5. Rainwater harvesting
6. Covered shed area
7. Maybe a loft area
8. Maybe an attached greenhouse
9. Maybe a compost toilet
10. Maybe a RMH

Does anyone have any examples of this for a kit build, or know a good architect that would be interested?

Or just any examples I general.  I think there would be a lot of people out there interested in a conventionally built lower case "g" "green" outbuilding like this.

Thank you!

I just built my first one... you can see it here: https://permies.com/p/1338898

Mostly wondering what/if I could plant in there right now to get a little start going

Good question Bruce!  I'm wondering this myself...

I just made this... probably 3.5-4ft tall, built along a small contour that collects a lot of water when it's wet.

Anyone have any suggestions on what I should plant in right now before winter?  First time here! :)

Patzcakes Mitchell wrote:I used Gorilla Crystal Clear waterproof patch and seal.
You can watch six short videos about how I did it here. What you see is what you get, I didn't edit anything. Voltage test included.

https://youtu.be/nhHwDZ-YIeE

Oh wow I had this thread sitting in my phone since before your post.  I'll check this out... Thank you!

Just bumping this old thread here since I've got a cracked panel now too... The options to fix it seem pretty limited or involve off brand use.

The encapsulation link from above has since died.

Anyone learn anything new in the last few years since this was posted?

Thanks!!

Made a rack with some heat treated 2x4s and stuck it under the deck.  It was the closest covered place to the door and fit nicely between the two posts.  The part for logs is 54"x89" (4806 sq inches/144 sq in per sqft = 33.375 sqft) and 11.5" deep.

I have 6 Barred Rock hens who just started laying their first eggs in the last few weeks.  I've got them composting a spot I want to garden on in the near future and will move them to a permanent spot in the near future.

I'm getting about 3/day right now.