Underground Tiny/Small Homes ?

[eDJ_]

I was watching DW TV (German) where they reported on a type of home in southern Spain. Guadix Spain. What I saw didn't seem to be very large living spaces. But it had a lot going for it.

Take a look at this link (from BBC covers the same story) and the photos.

What do you think ?

Cave Dwellers of Southern Spain

4:38 minute Youtube of the DW TV story

The cave dwellings of Guadix, Spain | Focus on Europe

 

[Deleted member 45]

Tunisa has a lot of underground dwellings. Remember star wars setting ?

 

[eDJ_]

I was first seeing underground houses being built in the late 70's and asking my Public Library to purchase some books on the topic. (which they did) But not long after the total underground homes were being built with their heavy concrete walls to support three to five feet of soil on top, the trend then shifted to semi underground and has stayed with that style. In this the walls didn't have to be so heavy/expensive and an above ground roof was built with around two feet of insulation in it.

When I spoke with the Library Director who was present when I was requesting books to be purchased, she was intrigued with with the idea. At the time the Main Library was an old Carnegie Grant. Andrew Carnegie donated loads of money to build Public Libraries across the countries but at the time these were huge stone buildings. The Director explained that they were going to build branch Libraries about the town and in some areas the "Bunker" (as she called it) building may be a good idea. So she contacted an architect and they came up with a semi underground building that used a French Mansard style roof. The old Main Library was getting to be too much to maintain cost wise not to mention heat and air condition.
It was sold in time and is now a Jr College of Business.

The first two branch Libraries were identical and were near rough parts of the town. There has never been a problem since they were built. Other branches were of different designs.

The old Main Library.




The first semi underground Branch Library


When the old Carnegie Library was being closed and the new Main was being built the architect wanted to carry the French Mansard roof style into it's design. He came up with this.



But the Mansard Roof may be worth considering in a Tiny Home build. Plenty or room for insulation and it can cover vertical wall buildings nicely. So many of the Shed Tiny Homes (sold by Lumber yards) use the Barn Roof style. (known as a Gambrel roof).

 

[eDJ_]

Images:

 

[Deleted member 45]

Have you read Mike Ohler ? He wrote $50 underground house. After the Earthship books settled in and i had worked on one. Ohler was next of my influences

 

[eDJ_]

No, I haven't....but I'll look for it. I've often thought of digging a covert cave home on Govt land. Nothing too big but well hidden from the public view. It wouldn't have a scenic view where it may be spotted from a distance. It would be more like a place to "bug-out" to if necessary. Then visited a couple times a month to inspect and do any maintenance.

I've even considered some of the larger plastic tanks I've seen. Then rent a "Bobcat" or other such equipment to prepare a place for it and then bury it. Once that would be done then install ventilation for air exchange and basic furnishings to be able to inhabit it.

 

[CactusJack]

No, I haven't....but I'll look for it. I've often thought of digging a covert cave home on Govt land. Nothing too big but well hidden from the public view. It wouldn't have a scenic view where it may be spotted from a distance. It would be more like a place to "bug-out" to if necessary. Then visited a couple times a month to inspect and do any maintenance.

I've even considered some of the larger plastic tanks I've seen. Then rent a "Bobcat" or other such equipment to prepare a place for it and then bury it. Once that would be done then install ventilation for air exchange and basic furnishings to be able to inhabit it.

Love the idea, and considering how some of my neighbours have been getting on my nerves, I might think about this because for the other solutions people go to jail.

Anyway, all jokes aside, since you plan on covering the tank, do you think it would handle the weight?

 

[eDJ_]

The plastic tanks may be able to support some substantial weight but the build would be for a "Bug-Out" shelter. Not a very large tiny home. Still some of these tanks, although expensive, would lend themselves to a quick build.

Just thinking out loud.