I studied Architecture in College - but graduated with a degree in
Conservation Biology. I have been involved in all phases of construction
and feel very strongly that our housing design and construction methods
should not only serve our needs and desires; but be in harmony with the
needs of the World. Our "modern" technology has allowed us to combat our
environmental influences. We need to learn (or remember) how to live with
Nature - not fight it.
I can visualize a beautiful hillside where the trees and landscaping are
the
dominant features. Where residents look out spacious windows at views that
are unobstructed down the hill and across a valley. Where every resident
can
enjoy the view without looking between homes and over dozens of shingled
roofs. The residents of each home having a sense of personal space without
living behind a restrictive 8' high wooden fence. A hill I can fly over
in
my small airplane and notice the meandering road system among the living
trees, bushes and flower gardens. Only when passing by in the evening do I
realize how many homes are on the hill by the lights that shine in the
windows. The homes are part of the hill - they did not just capture a
space
and perch on it. 30 families could live there - each within a stones
throw
of another house; yet no family looks into the yard of another and they
seldom hear their neighbors - and there are no fences.
These families enjoy comfortable, spacious homes with absurdly low utility
bills and virtually no maintenance; with the satisfaction of knowing that
the house they built will last hundreds of years.
A dream? At this time it is still a dream - but an attainable reality!
I can show you how to build the most cost effective, comfortable and
livable
home I am aware of. These designs and techniques have evolved over several
years with input from friends and professionals that I will be introducing
you to through these pages.
About 15 years ago, my good friends Tom and Rita asked me to help them
design and build their home. It was a grand and fun project that resulted
in a two story home set INTO a hillside rather than on it. The house is
attractive and efficient with it's conventional roof; but I am always
looking for ways to improve on an idea!
Tom is a computer programmer by profession - tinkerer by avocation. He has
an inventor mind that asks the right questions and suggests innovative
answers. If you ever want to develop an idea - find someone like Tom to
throw thoughts around with! We spent many hours theorizing on various ways
to make the next house better and Rita was a great reality check to let us
know if our ideas made sense! Those discussions were the start of
"Castles
in the Ground".
There is an old saying about building castles in the air - (referring to
lofty ideas with no foundation.) "Castles in the Ground" describes my
intent to help people build attractive, comfortable, affordable and SOLID
homes. Homes that are built on a foundation of well grounded concepts with
durable materials...modern day castles.
Some of my criteria for "Castles in the Ground" are:
Energy Efficiency
Ease of construction
Affordable
Environmentally Efficient
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Modern insulation systems and windows have only allowed us to mediate the
real problem of energy efficiency, which is SEASONAL VARIATION. It is too
hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Rather than fight the
individual problems, how about combining them? The Earth deals with it
fairly well; the surface temperature fluctuates, but a few feet
underground
the earth is a relatively constant temperature. With a basic understanding
of thermodynamics, we can build a home under a sheltering blanket of earth
that is cool in the summer and warm in the winter - and the energy is
virtually free!
With proper use of insulation and convective air flow, the temperature and
ventilation of our "Castle in the Ground" can be controlled for the
optimum
comfort of the worthy inhabitants! The very best specific information on
insulation and ventilation of underground homes that I have found is in
"PASSIVE ANNUAL HEAT STORAGE SYSTEM" by John Hait. His techninques for
using
insulation and ventilation help us turn seasonal variation into an
advantage! It is possible to store excess heat during the summer for use
during the winter! In warm climates, it is possible to save the cool
winter
temperatures to enjoy during the summer! Even daily temperature variations
can be put in your heating - cooling bank to help give you consistent,
comfortable living conditions. Since this is accomplished with exchange of
air, the home is also very well ventilated!
EASE OF CONSTRUCTION
"Castles in the Ground" uses a repetitive forming system to create all
concrete modules that go up utilizing standard concrete construction
technique. The modules are 385 to 645 square feet each, so most homes would
consist of 3 to 5 modules. The modules go up quickly as a low tech,
conventional and repetitive system.
Most of the examples in this book are hexagonal in shape.
WHY HEXAGONS?
Probably for the same reason bees use them... they are quick to build,
strong and can join together in a variety of shapes!
Hexagons enclose a lot of area in proportion to total wall length (circles
enclose the most-but are not as convenient when trying to put that bookcase
against the wall). Straight walls also allow EASY use of standard door and
window units. They also solve some of the difficulties of concrete
construction.
One of the hardest things for me when pouring concrete has been keeping the
walls STRAIGHT and PLUMB! I feel like I spend as much time putting in
kickers and braces and tangling up string line as I do putting up the
forms!
Most of the "Castle" walls are only 12 feet long, and there are SIX corners
to keep everything rigid! All walls are multiples of 4 foot, so there is
little plywood to cut. You have a pile of plywood, a pile of 2 x 4 x 12
foot walers (horizontal framing) for the inside of the forms, and a pile of
16 footers for the outside. Studs are not necessary. That's right, ANYONE
can do concrete with this system! The wall forms go up quick and easy; no
kickers, no braces, straight and plumb!
The ceiling system is perhaps even easier! Ceiling forms that can be
handled by two people are supported by the wall forms and a temporary
center
post. Just carry them in and set them up with simple attachments!
The key is the simple forming system that is repetitive and reusable. You
deal with a few standardized components to pour the walls and ceiling as
one
solid unit!
AFFORDABLE
Since the single largest cost of construction is labor, standardizing the
process SAVES MONEY. Additionally, at this time, the cost of lumber is
skyrocketing while concrete has remained relatively constant. As you will
see in the following chapters on construction techniques, the "Castles" are
DESIGNED to be cost effective; it was not an afterthought! Many
techniques
we use are not possible with other construction styles. For instance, most
of our exterior finish work is done with a small bulldozer and grass
seeder.
Try THAT with a conventional frame structure! Compared to the labor costs
for a small crew, equipment time is quite reasonable!
Your biggest savings in a properly built home are through the greatly
reduced heating, cooling and maintenance costs. You might also have lower
insurance costs. These savings can easily total $200 per month when
compared to the average home! When purchasing a home, the mortgage costs
are only part of the overall costs of home ownership. When you add the
total costs of mortgage, heating, cooling, maintenance, insurance, taxes,
etc..... you will find how much cheaper it can be to live in a Castle - as
long as it is in the ground!
ENVIRONMENTALLY EFFICIENT
I am disturbed with a common attitude that builds homes to last 50 - 100
years. Sure, WE might not need a home to live in much longer than 50 years
(although I intend to live 120 years!) but somebody will want to live in
it!
Wouldn’t it be great to pass a home on to your great, great, great
grandchildren!
How environmentally responsible is it to spend all that time, money and
RESOURCES to build a dwelling to last only one lifetime?
Please don't take me wrong, there are some wonderful frame structures out
there that will last a long time. (I even built some of them). I have
even
used treated wood in contact with the soil - but only where there was a
profound economic or design justification; and only when the design allowed
easy replacement of that component in 50 years or so.
Another concrete advantage is reduction of off-gassing from treated
materials and adhesives used in plywood and particle board.
Concrete, of course, is not without it's problems. I have some real
concerns about the mining associated with production of it's components.
Perhaps one of you will perfect a more environmentally correct and
economical alternative to concrete. If so, I will adapt the "Castles in
the
Ground" system to use it!
Well, enough philosophy; since you are reading this, you are probably
already somewhat enlightened and are interested in alternatives and
improvements in our lives. I hope you enjoy your home, whatever kind it
is!
You may build your Castle in the ground using a different system; you may
build your Castle on top of the ground; please do not build your Castle in
the air unless you put wings on it! Please also feel free to contact me
concerning YOUR ideas!
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