Posts: 2,490
Threads: 222
Joined: Dec 2005
Wow! I was blown away at this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb1pdvvoVoQ
All it needs is a few windows and if you had a high spot or some sort of concrete house pad already. Just roll it out and inflate it! Amazing!
Already has a door. I would think these could come even bigger. But for a temp garage / shed or even living I can just imagine the possibilities of this new idea.
Posts: 7,737
Threads: 686
Joined: Jun 2011
When I first saw this I thought "this is going to be the next big thing" until they sent me their price sheet. For what they want for their product you can buy a comparable shelter made out of pure gold- and that didn't include any shipping cost.
Posts: 2,490
Threads: 222
Joined: Dec 2005
Well, yes... They are not CHEAP, the point is, it's an idea that could be replicated.
Hopefully someone can figure out a way to make this with the materials that are already here. This is just a cool idea. I saw the price of these myself after posting the vid. Ah well... I'm not an expert with concrete but maybe someone could come up with a similar design.
Posts: 1,955
Threads: 100
Joined: Aug 2005
I have seen domes made of burlap and cement slurry like paper mache
Posts: 1,450
Threads: 109
Joined: Mar 2013
Now that is a great idea! You could buy the earthbag burlap bags in bulk and then not fill them, but use them over a pvc frame or something. hum.....
Posts: 7,737
Threads: 686
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,484
Threads: 10
Joined: Feb 2008
Just being the devil's advocate...Most of the time I see pictures of papercrete, burlapcrete, earthbags, earthships, etc they are in a desert environment. I can not imagine how burlap would hold up in Puna. It would rot for sure. Also, forget about getting it through the county.
Posts: 1,450
Threads: 109
Joined: Mar 2013
Earthbags would work well with a mixture of 75% redcinder and 25% polymer concrete (in tubs at HD) I'm thinking. You can get the tube earthbags from a company in california. I think papercrete is not feasible. I do however like the idea of an A-frame, but modeled after the Modern Hawaiian A-frames at Hapuna Beach. There is an earthbag house that did get permitted in Pahoa. I saw a blog about it recently. HOw would Ohia trees work for the big beams needed for an A-frame?