IRREGULAR SHELTER

WWW.IRREGULARSHELTER.COM

Presenting some good examples of irregular shaped living units. Included geometric shapes: Round, Triangle, Dodecahedron, Polygon. Mostly odd but good stuff that i can't fit into other categories . . .

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Most or all of the dwellings listed here are suitable for long term habitation if you add a lot of additional material to them like some kind of floor system with foundation. Also, most are suitable for personal use in a non-emergency situation like just for camping and wilderness living. Included are shelters which are highly portable and some which can only be relocated with the use of heavy-duty moving equipment. You have probably heard of the term "Experimental Aircraft", well a lot of what you see listed here could be classified as "Experimental Housing" or "Experimental Shelter". Clicking on either the listing picture or the starting link will take you to the listing website, usually.

Just so you'll know . . . This website is advertising driven. Advertising income pays the bills like hosting fees and other expenses. I am adding another quality advertising source which i like a lot - Amazon.com. If you the viewer of this website would consider making purchases of the items that interest you from my 'Amazon Ad Placements' that would be very helpful and appreciated. When you make purchases through these Amazon links, I receive a very modest sales commission on any purchase you make, but it doesn't cost you a penny. The prices are exactly the same as buying on Amazon directly, and there is no extra charge to you; Amazon pays the commission fees.

Everyone is welcome to visit my websites as much as they want even if you do not buy anything.

Also, Very Important Thing To Do . . . Please do not give a deposit or cash payment to any of these businesses listed here without first doing your research on them and establishing some sort of assurance that they are going to fulfill their end of the deal. I have not, nor can i screen these listings here - they are here for your use as a starting point in your search for a home for yourself. Some of them may be out of business, in bankruptcy, or having financial difficulty, or God only knows what kind of problems they could be having. Please try to go to great lengths to protect yourself - They do!

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CONIC SHELTER Even though most of the shapes displayed on this website are pictures of structures not habitable, actually a person can make many different low cost homes using this system. Picture on the right is of a Conic 500 SF small house. "As Built. This 500 SF residence is built with no rafters or stud walls. The curve shape of the Conic provides all the structure. This Conic is built on grade with a surrounding french drain system. There is no step up or down to enter the structure - a great feature for older folks!"

“Welcome to Conic Shelters. Conic Shelters (called "Conics" for short) are a thin-shell architectural form built from square plywood components. Conics are cost effective and highly versatile shelter (no rafters, fast assembly) that can be used for open-air shelter or closed-in residential, shop, or office construction. Multiple insulation options are available. Conic exteriors are typically covered with weather-tight Ames Research elastomeric coatings, Conic Shelters can last up to ten years and then require a single additional layer of elastomeric for another 10 years of service. Available in any color, environmentally friendly, applied by brush or airless spray-on, these coatings are tough and beautiful. Conic Shelters can be constructed in thousands of configurations. Computer models can display a very low-profile configuration made entirely of 3/4" plywood with no rafters or other internal supports. Doors and windows can be added in almost any location without sacrificing structural integrity.”

Conics are the lowest cost permanent shelter:

Conics are a continuously curved shell made entirely of 1/2" plywood covered with acrylic elastomeric roofing (a water-borne non-toxic paint-on finish).
By flexing plywood into this unusual curved geometric shape the conic shell acts as sheathing, structure and roofing. No rafters or costly additional roofing are required.
Conics can last for decades with only minimal upkeep. You can build small (500 SF) or very large conic floor plans.
There is very little wasted materials because conics are built entirely of 4'x4' plywood panels. Conics utilize a unique geometry that provides strength through flexibility.
Conics are a true shell-type structure. They have withstood hurricane force winds and will bend to absorb the stresses of the most violent of earthquakes.
Coupled with energy and material saving designs, Conics are a habitat that can be built within the carrying capacity of our small planet because they are extremely miserly with building materials.

Chuck Henderson Inventor - Conic Shelter • Phone: (707) 884-1769 •

info@conicshelter.com

THIS IS BLACK ROCK CITY All i can say is: Wow! Please have a look at this incredible blog which simply is a series of beautiful pictures taken of many different structures set-up at the Nevada Burning Man festival. Billed as: 'The Ephemeral Architecture of Burning Man'. No pornography here, just great pictures of structures, some which i am sure can be lived in full time if so desired. Looking for simple structure ideas? This is the place to visit (the blog) for many examples of low cost housing, many whimsical, but many also very practical housing. Also, the blog author has recently finished putting his book together and you can purchase it by clicking here. Picture on the right is a random pic taken from his blog.

“This blog has been created for the denizens or not of Black Rock City interested by the ephemeral architecture of the desert. It showcases the different shelters that the Black Rock citizens have to come up with in order to survive in style (or not) the scorching sun and most of all, the almighty fierce winds. Every year new designs come up, old ones are refined, same mistakes are made and next year, promise, it will not fly away. Burning Man is an overwhelming experience, so to keep up with the visual overload that one might feel on the playa, I invite you to scroll down this miles long blog packed with hundreds of images. (hint, at the bottom of each page click on older posts to see the continuation, the blog goes from post #54 to #1). Camp or installation misnamed? Feel free to contact me at: burn(at)philippeglade.com. Trolls with E.D., sorry no T&A, it's a SFW (Safe For Work) blog (except for that image post #8 anyway, you will need a loupe). I would like to thank all the burners for their terrific creations and constructions that make Black Rock City a unique place on earth. Super special thanks to Heather Gallagher (camera girl), Patrick Ford and Lady Bee.”

Philippe Glade •

burn@philippeglade.com

FAB LAB HOUSE This is a true irregular shelter and this website linked here has some very good pictures of this very unique home. Also, need to mention that the website is in the Spanish language and at the top of the site are two tabs one for English and one for Spanish.

“For 2010 Solar Decathlon Europe, The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) have designed the new generation Fab Lab house to be displayed. They have created the Solar House which is to not industrialize but allow any person to manufacture anywhere in the world, from the platform of Fab Labs, or fabrication laboratories. The production methodology of the house is founded in a structure fabricated from common materials sourced globally such as plywood panels, etc., and in the use of locally found machinery there are laser cutting and/or milling machine. This new generation Fab Lab house is definitely a very affordable housing solution, designed with a combination of simple construction, geometric sophistication and technological wealth, both in its creation as an energy system as well as in the active and passive management of the house. The selection of wood, not steel, as the basic structural material is deduced from two lines of thought, the first being that a solar house must be reduced from a solar material and the second that the choice of wood leads to structural elements and components which are small, light and manageable. The architects propose a pre-fabricated wooden construction in which all its structural components are laser cut from a 1220×1440mm plywood sheet. Through the utilization of a global network of production laboratories (FabLab's), the architects begin to promote the idea of using the Internet to make things. Faced with the typical house model of a 'box construction' made up of standard industrialized components, the architects chose to build a clever house with systemic logic components, rising into what we call a distributed intelligence. A standard paraboloid section is positioned for suitable solar tracking (per year per day), and deformed in appropriate steps aimed towards an optimal orientation for summer. The Solar FabLab house not only has a rounded shape that allows for maximum internal volume with minimal exterior surface but is elevated off the ground upon three 'legs', in order to create a space under the house for the development of certain outdoor activities.”

FabLabHouse • Phone: 902 10 64 57 •

info@fablabhouse.com

GOAHTI (Primitive Shelter Hut). I think the language used on this website is 'Norwegian' and i am having a very difficult time finding a translating service, but the pictures do tell a story of how to construct this nice looking primitive shelter. This link takes you to a step by step picture sequence showing the construction of this shelter using commonly available natural material if you have a forest available for your own personal use. Click on the word: 'Lysbildevisning' which means 'Slide show' to view larger pics of the construction steps. The picture on the right is of the completed exterior. There are pictures on the second page which show some interior pictures. Actually, some of the heavier framing members might be a little difficult to make and would be quite time consuming to fashion, in my opinion. I have been able to translate enough of the language to determine that this particular article is about duplicating a 'Sami' (Norwegian Eskimo type people) primitive hut making technique. And thanks to 'Joely Pozole' for sending me this listing.

“Norwegian Saami Association is a Sami Association who both actively engaged in cultural, social and educational work through their local branches and standing for election to the Sami Parliament. NSR collects Sami from all areas and from all industries and interest groups to work for the common good through Sami Sami Parliament. Since foundation in 1968, the NSR has been an option for all Sami people to make their voice current in the Norwegian and the international community. NSR has been a clear Sami voice in reconstruction and development of the Sami society and culture for 40 years, and NSR will continue as an independent, Sami voice in the future. Go to the NSRs website for more information.

Lars Nilsen • Tlf 91 15 78 78 • lars.nilsen@kafjordskolen.no

THE CLOSED LOOP HOME Heidi Allen is a woman with many artistic and industrial interests and this listing here is one of them. She told me this is a project that she works on several times a year or i probably should say she updates, modifies, adds to this page several times a year. So it is an ongoing, not complete project that has enough good information to make it acceptable for this website.

“This page is an outline of my ideas for a nearly disaster-proof, completely self-sustaining (closed loop) residence. Also included are my thoughts on the power and water systems, and other components, like heating, cooling, refrigeration and even appropriate furniture. This is rough draft, just to get it online.

My goals are a residence:

That is an inexpensive kit home
That can be built easily and quickly
Whose components fit in a pickup truck (multiple trips)
Whose pre-assembly components are lightweight
Most of which can be assembled without bulky machinery
That can be finished out with local & green materials
That is essentially disaster proof
That generates its own power, water & food
That recycles or otherwise handles its own waste
That efficiently uses space
That's handicapped accessible; IE, is a lifetime home
That has a positive effect on the human psyche

Several of the goals above relate to my desire to be able to build a home with very minimal impact on the rest of the property's environment. For example, if large vehicles were needed to move the pre-assembled components, trees would have to be cut, which is particularly undesirable in the marginal environments where this home would do the most good. The last goal relates to the effects of architecture, lighting, air quality and other factors on the subconscious of the residents. I want the indoor atmosphere to simultaneously relax and invigorate the mind and body . . .”

Heidi Allen •

heidi@heidiallen.com

GENERIC ESCAPE CAPSULE Shown in the picture on the right is one of the many works of the famous artist "Adam Norton" based in Sydney, Australia. Displayed here with a link to his website is the work entitled: "Generic Escape Capsule. When you visit his site, you will be shown the different operations this module is capable of, such as for sleeping, cooking your meals, potty use, eating your meals, brushing your teeth, & writing. This clothes closet looking structure does not take up very much space and would be quite cheap to build. And, possibly a person could mount wheels underneath and attach a hitch for pulling behind a bicycle, which i have thought of before to use with my laptop computer at the harbor where i live which has free WiFi.

“Born in 1964, and lives in Sydney, Australia: Adam Norton is primarily an investigator of technology. He prods and pokes at the analogue past in an attempt to find residual life in it and to discover some meaning which might have a bearing on the present. His works have been included in exhibitions in Australia, the UK and the Netherlands. Recently he has exhibited elements of a new body of work called Das Marsprojekt. For his sabbatical he is planning a walking tour of the slopes of Olympus Mons.”

Adam Norton •

adam@adamnorton.net

MOONLIGHT CHRONICLES This is quite a deal. Very nice website presenting not only a true alternate lifestyle, but also has good pictures of his underground abode which is also pictured on the right. It seems this man lives around the Enterprise, Oregon area (in the summertime). But, this guy appears to be quite artistic and capable of designing a small underground home which not only looks good, but functions well, not junky.

“Thank you for stopping by for a visit. They call me the Hobo because 20 years ago i shed most of my conventional ways in order to live the most simple life possible. I live in a tiny underground room. I read books and do not own a TV. There is no plumbing. I drive rarely and pedal often. Meals are mostly uncooked. Throughout all those years i have kept 74 illustrated journals called 'Moonlight Chronicles' of all my experiences, and offer them to my fans. It is now one of the oldest running zines in America. Buddistic ways were followed for many years but now a new religion called Surfing has been discovered, so i go to Hawaii for the winter months, riding the waves and listening to their sermons. Summers are spent back home caretaking an Eastern Oregon meadow, writing, drawing, bike tripping and train hopping. I always tell my closest friends that i never fear death. Since taking that leap of faith 2 decades ago, the extraordinary experiences have been enough to fill several lifetimes. If all this sounds interesting to you please join in the journey by ordering a few Chronicles. I mostly travel solo but love to share the adventures through the journals.” ~HOBO

Hobo Contact • Phone: (541) 398-2299 • PO Box 109 • Joseph, Oregon 97846

IDAHO SHEEP CAMP I have never seen this before. I have known about sheep wagons, but did not realize that someone was still building them from the ground up and selling them to the general public. This Idaho business specializes in making sheep wagons. They have a nice website with lots of good pictures of their wagons. You could live in one of these wagons, if you want.

“Building Sheep Wagons is our Passion. Each wagon is built from the ground up. We can build your dream wagon. Sheep Wagons Starting at $8300.00. Our Wagons Are great For Farms or Ranches, Wagon trails, Parades, Guest cabins, awesome writers studio, Studios, display, Events, Child's Play House. They Brings back family memories . . . And Create family Memories . . . We can Custom Design YOUR Sheep Wagon to MEET your WANTS and NEEDS. We take great pride to adhere to traditions of wagon building . . . Delivery Available.”

Idaho Sheep Camp • 11670 W Peconic Dr • Boise, Idaho 83709 • Phone: (208) 409-8433/283-9833 •

kkv1234@yahoo.com

CABOT'S PUEBLO MUSEUM This place is very familiar to me because for two years i lived close by and previous to that i visited this home/pueblo creation by Cabot Yerxa. The reason i am including this listing here is because it really is a "Irregular Shelter" and does not conform to modern building methods or ideas. Desert Hot Springs does get pretty hot in the summertime and this Pueblo was built by it's owner to provide a "cool" (cool, meaning temperature wise) place to live and sleep, kind of an oasis in the desert. This building proves to me that a person can live in the hot dry areas of the world without air conditioning by building using lots of native material such as sand, dirt with some cement thrown in to help solidify the mixture. Cabot started the project as far as i can remember by digging a hole in the ground about 8ft deep and maybe 10 to 12 foot wide square as the initial living and sleeping quarters, in fact i have seen his bed area which was carved out of the side of the wall in the form of a shelf where you can lay a bed mattress and sleep.

“A top attraction in the Palm Springs area, Cabot's Pueblo Museum is a Hopi inspired Pueblo that is a unique treasure to the Coachella Valley, located in the heart of Desert Hot Springs. The Museum is nearby to Joshua Tree, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and Palm Springs. This Southern California landmark is within 10 minutes of the Palm Drive exit from the 10 Freeway. Built by Cabot Yerxa (b. 1883) on property he homesteaded in 1913, he worked on the property until his death in 1965. Cabot journeyed through the desert; gathering reclaimed materials from as far east as the Salton Sea, north to Morongo Valley, south to Palm Springs and west to White Water. The structure is hand-made, created from reclaimed and found objects. The Pueblo is four-stories, 5,000 square feet and includes 35 rooms, 150 windows and 65 doors. Visitors will notice many unique features: including windows and doors collected and reassembled from abandoned homesteads, old telephone poles, buck board wagon parts and many other materials used creatively. On the guided tour, visitors journey through the life of Cabot Yerxa and his family including artifacts collected from their adventures dating back over 100 years. Hear his story from the Dakota Territory to Mexico, Cuba, Alaska, France, throughout California and the Southwest, including the founding of Desert Hot Springs, California. The museum is open year-round for single tours, and scheduled group tours and hosts special events.”

Cabot's Pueblo Museum • 67-616 E Desert View Avenue • Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240 • Phone: (760) 329-7610

FOLD FLAT SHELTER This idea is based in the country of Germany and it's creator is a man named "Adrian Lippmann" and it is a very well thought out ingenious shelter. On this linked website you will get to view different perspectives of this shelter and there is also a YouTube video showing animated steps for assembly.

“FoldFlatShelters are tent-like but self-supported structures made of light-weight, long-life composite panels for permanent use. Intended for use in disasters, they are weatherproof/fire-resistant and have been developed using foldable elements. Each one comes in relatively small dimensions, resulting in a compact design. Wall or roof parts can be added to the base body as required to adjust the floor area from 8-18qm. Shipped flat, 2 people can fold the panels and set up the shelter in five hours. The form is novel and distinct, therefore it's description is a little involved . . . The basic structure consists of two interpenetrating truncated pyramids. The upper truncated pyramid is inverted and turned 45 degrees around it's central axis. So the floor area and the roof are both squares of the same size. This forms segmented, triangular wall elements that give the construction great stability. No supports or framework are needed– the shell is self-supporting. My prime motivation is to give a large number of needy people a simple but usable home that combines the advantages of a tent with a lightweight building that can be used in the long term. The inhabitants are surrounded by stable walls and are thus safe from fire, rain, vermin, noise, and in the worst case, shrapnel. The material is also easy to clean to avoid epidemics. Natural and manmade catastrophes are becoming increasingly common, and with them the number of people in need . . .”

form-al • Adrian Lippmann Dipl Des • Phone: +49 30 34502431 • Berlin, Germany •

message@form-al.de

HARD WALL TENT This is kind of a short little video of this small, approximately 5ft X 8ft sleeping structure, i say sleeping because that's about all you can do in it is sleep (i personally call these structures "Sleeping Huts"). But that's OK, having a good protected place to sleep is very important in my opinion.

In fact, you cannot stand up in this hut unless you're a midget because it has probably no more than 5ft vertical space inside. I wished this video showed more of the structural aspect of the hut while the owner was talking and explaining about this sleeping shelter. He built this unit from discarded recycled lumber and it is very basic, made for warmer type weather with window screen fastened to the sides and a plastic tarp used for the roof. All open areas are screened in to keep the bugs and small critters out, something very important to do in my experience. Using a rigid 2X4 frame is very helpful in case the wind or a strong breeze kicks up which would play havoc with a normal tent lacking this type of support. When not in use a person could probably just cover the entire shelter with a plastic or canvas tarp until next season when the weather warms up.

splitlogspirit's YouTube Channel

EMERGENCY HOMELESS SHELTER I like to feature Paul Welkins creations here on this website because they are all quality items and he is probably one of the very few persons in the world who invents these great very unique small shelter systems. Everything he designs is affordable to build by most people.

“Not long ago I ordered two books from Amazon.com. 'Zero Yen Houses' by Kyohei Sakaguchi and 'Fragile Dwelling' by Margaret Morton. Kyohei's pictorial book shows a striking view of the many homeless older single men living in the cities of Japan, while Margaret spent 10 years documenting and capturing on black and white film telling images of several dozen homeless people in New York City. These books were very moving. After reading them, I couldn't help but to re-visit the bicycle camper and homeless shelter lay-out to see if I could come up with a more practical and useful structure that might be used by a single homeless person or as an emergency shelter, where one or a couple could gain some privacy and sleep. The thousands crowded on the super dome floor during Hurricane Katrina is a good example. After bowing an 8' flexible strip of wood I settled on a mini Quonset hut design. I liked the potential for inside space and it would be very wind resistant. So with a budget of $100 for materials I went shopping. I bought 4 sheets of 4mm Coroplast from Laird Plastics in Seattle. I chose Coroplast for its unique qualities of flexibility, versatility, water resistance, strength, light weight and insulating properties, plus Coroplast is cheap. I used 8" plastic zip ties for assembly and 2"wide colored duct tape to seal out any moisture. I used Lexan plastic for the door window and installed 6 grommeted holes in the floor for spiking the structure to the ground. Except for the hardware, once the shelter is no longer needed it can be recycled . . .”

Contact •

paulwelkins@yahoo.com

ICOSA PROJECT Here is a very good example of a project using Starplates plus some conventional building methods to create this very low cost cabin suitable for a single person or a couple. Lots of great pictures showing the step by step building process.

“First time post here, so hopefully the photos will work. . . I have really enjoyed this site and thought i would share what i am tinkering on. . . I am building a small cabin in 2 parts. . . the first part is the icosa dome room and then will be attached to a more typical structure. The icosa is being built beside my house and then i will move it to the site. . . the second part of the cabin is still being designed. ok, some photos of the basic frame. . . I am using starplate connectors with preset angles. . .”

North Saskatchewan River • Canada

URBAN NOMADS This is basically a site located in the country of Germany selling "Instant Shelters". Really well done website and quite a product line. Many different units available for purchase. You will need to use Google translate to read in the english language.

“Winfried Baumann (born 1956) created in the last few years an emphatic and an extremely complex creation, which is a blending of Art, Architecture and Design. Since 2001 the artist Winfried Baumann has been building life systems for homeless people and other urban nomads. Under the brand urban nomads all the projects of Winfried Baumann are combined and they are all concerned with mobility, housing, provisions and locomotion. The most comprehensive group of works is Instant Housing. Instant Housing are small mobile homes, which are designed for the special living circumstances of their users and which are manageable by one person. He also created some other projects for this line: Instant Cooking (nomadic mobile kitchen), Instant Help (medical help for homeless people), Instant Exhibition (mobile living and exhibition systems) and Instant Shelter (emergency aid). Winfried Baumann merges the bounds between art work, design and social activism. As a skilled sculptor he creates objects with a functional attributes which always have an exemplary and sculptural character. Do you have any question about urban nomads and the work of Winfried Baumann? Don´t hesitate to contact his studio in NÜrnberg.”

Winfried Baumann • Hintere Sterngasse 9 • 90402 Nürnberg 0911 / 224149 •

kontakt@winfried-baumann.de

HIGH MILEAGE TRIKES & MORE This man here is very creative to say the least. He has designed and built a rolling tiny cabin suitable for one person to live in. Be sure to check out his other very interesting projects/creations.

“My name is Paul Elkins. I live in Stanwood Washington USA with my lovely wife Mary and our two dogs. In my spare time I play in my shop creating a host of toys and things that roll, mostly. My original intent with this project was to design and construct a simple, light weight, insulated box on wheels geared for the northwest climate that an urban street person could reside in (with all the comforts of home of course) and have an area to display and sell handmade wares. I've seen the homeless make wire sculptures, wood carvings etc. One could also make alcohol stoves from aluminum recycled cans and peddle them as emergency stoves. Many homeless people are actually more creative than you might think, and not all want to beg or go rummage around in trash cans all day for a living. Homeless people have pride too! Also, this I think would make a better connection with the public. So, what started as something that was suppose to be simple and cheap, well, let's say I got a bit carried away. I was having too much fun with my newly acquired table saw and brad gun, and I knew this creation was going to be around awhile so I made it nice. What we have here is the Cadillac of homeless shelters! I wanted something that looked good and was built durable. A manufactured unit similar to this lay-out could be made of sprayed fiberglass, poly roto mold or from coroplastic sheeting. The latter can be made in a variety of thicknesses, color, (even camouflage laminate), with UV protection and fire retardant additives too. Using fluted coroplastic I can see these panels machine routered, creased, folded and hot welded to the desired shape. The storage compartments and counter could be of the same material or use sprayed fiberglass for durability. This being just a conceptual prototype, and one that I'm pretty happy with, anyone with a little imagination can see the many possibilities. If you have any further questions my E-mail address is below, or if you'd just like to leave a comment, please do so... I'd love to hear from you. Thanks again for visiting my site and enjoy!”

Paul Elkins • Stanwood Washington USA •

paulwelkins@yahoo.com

REFRIGERATOR IGLOO I used to collect old defective refrigerators and now i see this nice little home made from 322 of them. I missed my calling.

“Berlin-based artist Ralf Schmerberg has constructed a gigantic igloo made entirely of old refrigerators in the center of Hamburg, Germany. The 11 meter-wide igloo is made from 322 old refrigerators attached to a metal frame. Inside is an extraordinary collection of gadgets including fans, toys, toasters, a TV set and an inflatable mushroom cloud. While I’m sure Ralf had fun building this absurd piece, the actual reason of the project is to raise awareness to the amount of energy people are wasting nowadays. At the outside a huge electricity meter showed how much energy would be consumed by all those fridges. In the last picture you can see a list of all the materials they needed and some important facts about it. Some points translate as follows: 15.684 Vector Lines, 13 bars of concept chocolate, 10.5 tons of weight, 322 Refrigerators, 30.780 watts of energy, 1.718 meters of wire, 35 pairs of gloves, 487 sandwiches by mommy, 49.000 calories, 120 leisure-time beers. It is 5.6 meters high on the outside, 4.82 meters on the inside, has an outer diameter of 11 meters and an inner diameter of 9.8 meters.”

contact form

CARDBORIGAMI Foldable, portable shelter for those of you who like highly mobile type living.

“Cardborigami is an immediate disaster relief shelter that can be distributed through various philanthropic, governmental and religious organizations to the urban homeless population as well as to disaster relief victims in need of immediate, temporary housing. A typical Cardborigami shelter is made of standard corrugated cardboard that has been treated to make it both water-proof as well as fire-proof. Following treatment, each cardboard sheet is mechanically scored to ensure uniform construction that will aid in the process of its deployment. As the name suggests, each cardboard unit can be unfolded to provide a sizable space for temporary shelter. When not in use or when being transported, each unit can be folded into a size that is easily carried by a single person.”

Cardborigami • contact form

TERRA-DOME It would seem to me that a true earth covered house would require a very strong framework to make safe living conditions - the system promoted here appears to fulfill that requirement.

“The Possibilities of the Terra-Dome building system are endless. The Terra-Dome building system is a forming system that helps create a concrete steel reinforced structure in modular form of 24' x 24' or 28' x 28' (inside measurement). These modules are poured on location and can be arranged in a multitude of configurations. The Terra-Dome module is used for earth-sheltered structures in most cases. The benefit Terra-Dome has over all its competitors is that its modular forming system has conventional vertical walls with a dome ceiling. This configuration creates many advantages including: Freedom of design (no support walls or posts within module), Strength factor (20 times stronger than a flat roof), Open airy feeling (vaulted ceiling at no additional costs), Expeditious (1 module may be poured every 2-3 days). Terra-Dome Corporation offers a structure that is superior to the conventional construction techniques at the same cost and in some cases at lower initial costs. The Terra-Dome structure continues its savings year after year and for generations to come due to the durable materials used in its construction and in utilizing the benefits of the earth. Design and construction services are available through Terra-Dome to create and build any design imaginable (contemporary, traditional, Spanish, country, etc.). Let Terra-Dome make your dreams become reality.”

Terra-Dome Corporation • 8908 S Shrout Road • Grain Valley MO 64029 • Phone: (816) 229-6000
Toll Free: (800) 481-3663 • Fax: (816) 220-3756 •

info@terra-dome.com

COMPACT POLYHEDRON HOUSE This is a very beautiful example of what can be accomplished using a non-traditional geometric design. A lot of planning and ingenuity had to go into this project. As the title says: "It's Modern, Quaint, & Eco-Friendly".

“Designed by Manuel Villa, this eco-friendly, stand-alone, and unconventional polyhedron shape home is located in Bogota, Columbia. It has one large window at the front which consumes an entire side of the house, and as well opens out to a deck and garden. The most innovative design of the home is the use of the interior which makes very efficient use of space.”

ATICA proyectos • Arguitecto MANUAL VILLA LARGACHA •

manualvillalar@yahoo.com

IcoPod This campground business was willing to test drive some new design type structures called "icoPods". Some very good information located here for those of you interested in this type of structure.

“In 1959 R. B. Fuller was granted a patent for a "paperboard dome". The Pod™, based on a patent-pending design, is inventor and Icosa Village founder Sanford Ponder's improvement to Mr. Fuller's original paperboard dome concept. It replaces Fuller's single-walled folded dome with a much more rigid double-walled structure. The Pod™ is constructed by folding many identical sheets of precision die-cut material together to form an icosahedron-shaped structure. By using a simple icosahedron (a shape being comprised of all equilateral triangles) as the basic structural shape, the Icosa Village Pod™ is much simpler to produce and assemble than a traditional rounded dome shelters. In 2001, while viewing a program about the homeless living in cardboard boxes, Sanford Ponder had an epiphany. In what he called "a moment of indignation" he reflected, "If we must live in a world in which people are forced to live in cardboard boxes, then someone should at least invent a better box." Sanford set out to do just that. Inspired by the pioneering work of R. Buckminster Fuller, Sanford developed the basic and completely unique design for the Pod shelters whose first model is shown here. He spent the next two years perfecting the design for practical use.”

Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping • 9730 US Hwy 23 • Mackinaw City MI 49701 USA • Phone: (231) 436-5584

THE OCTAGON Made of heavy-duty cardboard this emergency cabin has been around for quite awhile. Made and sold in Japan which experiences many earthquakes and has a need for alternative housing . . .

“This camp, "Octagon" isalso available by using a full outdoor special processing cardboard, and a variety of applications are expected during the disaster. The population of the evacuation in the gym and sometimes blood clots that can lead to death in one position too long. "Economy class syndrome" triggers. Do not enter into private hands evacuation Octagon! State of post-disaster shelter is what like? Life is not kept until now, you often have to endure. Immediately after the disaster evacuees extreme stress all rushed to shelter refugees in become unstable even better ill healthy adults. During the earthquake many people sleeping in cars,economy class syndromewas. Experts are at least three days per train and are dangerous. Shelters will be provided absolutely uniform. I can not help it. Therefore, it is difficult to shelter sensitive response to the current situation, I thought you can not secure their private lives.Is ready to ensure their privacy. That cardboard tent that can be used indoors and outdoors, Octagon is. Six months or more durable for outdoor usethat Octagon, the assembly is easy. And a touch like that Ikimasen Kyanputento, number four in the assembly, assembly time is 2 hours. Su Anything special tools are needed technologies. Assembly procedure is easy! Corrugated paper, fold, according, only Haruna tapeit. Can be constructed from so more than primary school. Assembly 2 hours! I know, how difficult. That looks terrible. I think some people feel. However, space is ready in two hours six months of durability, I can say is worth considering in the assembly of subsequent long-term shelter. The fine people without worrying about missing assembly! Assembly personnel will gather in encouraging mutual support during disasters. Please try your request to the headquarters staff was set up disaster volunteer. Please try to lend a hand views from the links or local assembly. Are united because everyone is suffering. And then help you, please consider that you can reverse. If in order to ensure privacy, is easy to assembly!”

The Wood Head Company • Minokamo City • Gifu Prefecture • 505-0034 450-1 Japan • Phone: 0574-26-3111

SEVERE WEATHER PODS I personally like the idea of living underground not for the supposed security that it offers, but just for the peace and quiet you might expect - i mean if you were living alone by yourself. This company linked here has some great stuff if you are interested in developing an underground living system. Maybe they have an underground cabin model or can design one for you. They do offer an underground "condo" so i know they can make an underground cabin.

“We cover the entire USA. There are four national partner distributors covering the entire USA which are located in Michigan, Virginia, Texas and Iowa. Fill out the quote request form and we will send it to the closest Distributor Partner to your area. Severe Weather Pods manufactures and sells fiberglass underground storm shelters from a 4-100 person capacity as well as an entire line of steel underground and above ground units, including above ground tornado buildings with a maximum capacity of 100 people. All shelters are made in the USA and come with a warranty. We are the only Storm Shelter company with a vast variety of shelter sizes from 4 man to 100! If anything or everything goes wrong - weather, sun, chaos, you would want to be in one of our products, don't settle for 2nd best!”

Severe Weather Pods • Toll Free: (800) 955-6273 / (888) 718-0305 • Phone: 1-972-968-8878 / 1-972-546-7620 • 24 hours a day

N55 This outfit is the same group that created the "Walking House". This creation pictured on the right is a little more practical in my opinion. Update: These people are always doing things and it is worth your time and effort to browse their website to check on their new projects they are working on. They have some cool new stuff - click on their "news" and "manuals" link.

"MICRO DWELLINGS is a system for making low cost dwellings of variable sizes for any number of persons. It consists of movable housing modules that can form different configurations on land, on water and under water. The system allows for a diversity of materials as well as changes and adaptations. The MICRO DWELLINGS are modular, can be scaled up and down, and expand and grow together with other systems into small communities. The MICRO DWELLINGS can be built onto rooftops of existing buildings or be suspended from a bridge or a wall. The modules can be mounted on wheels to become mobile or be connected to form floating constructions. As is the case with the version shown in this manual, they can also be made as watertight, amphibian houses that can be completely submerged or partly elevated to the water surface. Most functions will be built into walls, and furniture, household equipment etc. will be provided by movable elements that change functions during the day. Supply modules can be mounted on the outside of the main modules. The MICRO DWELLINGS are able to reflect changes in life, e.g. people moving in and out, the arrival of children, etc, as it is easy to add to the construction in stages. If people want to live together they can simply let their dwellings grow together, likewise, it is easy to separate modules and move them if desirable. The MICRO DWELLINGS in themselves do not define a social constellation, but only provide the basic equipment so that persons can configure their own social setting. The present version of the system is made of cheap steel plates and can be constructed by anybody who knows how to weld."

N55 • Copenhagen Denmark •

n55@n55.dk

SAMI HUT This is another cool project from instructables.com. This man did a great job of explaining how to build this neat little hut out of used lumber.

“This is a description with pics of how i built my Sami Hut (Eskimo Hut) in wood. As i made it from reprocessed wood from torn down houses and other buildings this is a totally green project. Tools/materials you need are: A hammer, saw, drill, spirit level, nails, tar paper, wood and a lot of patience! What this hut has as a raw model is the hut that our Swedish indigenous people called Sami, have built and used for many centuries. This type of building is/was also (to some degree) used by the Inuit, Aleut and Yupik peoples. As a non-American/English speaker, i use the metric system, so i had to use an online converter to be able to present the measurements in inches.”

instructables.com

THE INSTITUTE FOR PLANETARY RENEWAL This site whether or not you agree with the owners premise, has a good system for building housing using their low cost techniques. Very interesting site. I did find one date: Last update: 9/26/96. But still a lot of good information.

"If we are to create a Paradise on Earth we will have to change the way we live with ourselves. In developed countries, the high cost of living requires that we earn lots of money. If we work hard and earn a lot, then something must be produced with that effort.If goods are produced, they must be consumed or else we will have no work. If they are consumed, natural resources must be used.If natural resources are used excessively and not recycled, as they presently are, then the earth is wasted. Therefore a high standard of living, based upon mass consumption and minimal recycling (our present design) inevitably leads to the destruction of the ecosystems that we rely upon for our survival. If undeveloped countries follow our path, the destruction of the ecosystems we depend upon is assured. If we can eliminate the high cost of living, then we can live more sensibly on the Earth. In the past, a simpler lifestyle meant a low quality of life, but does it really have to be? We believe not. We believe that it is possible to substantially INCREASE our quality of life and our material comforts by applying better design principles to solve the needs of housing, energy, food, and other necessities and comforts. We do not have to suffer. In fact, we are suffering now much more than we need to because of the poor designs of our civilization."

Institute for Planetary Renewal • 4647 Long Valley Rd • Greensboro NC 27410 • (336) 644-1111 • Please e-mail Richard Austin, IPR Director:

RAustin@PlanetaryRenewal.org

ORANGE-PEEL HOUSE This is an idea. Someone out there could remanufacture these units, get them back on the market, not using my money.

“Developed in Germany, a portable shelter for camping or trailer travel looks like a gigantic orange — and peels apart almost like one. The parts of the shelter are shaped like the segments of an orange. One person can fasten the segments together in 15 minutes. The parts of the shelter including the floor are made of plywood. The parts can be disassembled and placed into a small trailer for relocation to another camp spot.”

Maybe For Sale on eBay

THE LOGAN ROUND HOUSE Located in the state of Ohio this is an example of what you can do with concrete in the form of a round house. Those of you interested in building a round house out of concrete will appreciate this website to give you some ideas for completing your project.

"I had heard rumors of a building in Logan shaped like a giant golf ball, but I wasn't sure if it qualified as "forgotten" in any way or not, or if it was perhaps part of a miniature golf place or something like that. Then one day I stumbled upon it while trying to find a canoe rental place after a night in a Hocking Hills cabin. As you can see, it's a bizarre building. It's also completely abandoned. The thing is about two stories tall, made entirely of poured concrete, and completely spherical above a rectangular foundation. I had no idea at all what it was once used for. My best guess would have had to be some kind of sports-related thing, maybe a golf supply place. But my guess was way off, as I found out much later. My information came to me indirectly from the son of the guy who built the round house—a guy named Stewart. Locals referred to the house as "Stewart's Folly" because it took so much effort to build, and was apparently so uselessly bizarre. But Mr. Stewart had a use in mind when he designed the place. The round house was intended as the prototype for a new, highly durable type of housing which would in theory be sold along hurricane-prone coasts and through Tornado Alley. Because of its lack of corners or flat exterior surfaces, the wind resistance on the building is almost nil, making it ideal for parts of the country where high winds cause problems for homeowners. The basic shell is also fireproof, as were the original Lexan windows, though the interior could burn. And it came with special fire escape plans that involved sliding through escape hatches and windows onto a rear scaffolding.The house was begun in 1971 and finally completed in 1973. The shell was poured using a special homemade elevator system which involved the axle and wheel from a car. Two wooden shells were built—inside and out—and the concrete was poured in from the top. It hardened, the molds were removed, and the main part of the structure was done, with walls five inches thick on the sphere and eight inches thick at the base. From there they built the interior: two floors on top, complete with a porch, and a basement with a built-in garage."

The Logan Round House • Logan Ohio •

forgottenohio@yahoo.com

BARIER HOUSE This building design called by it's developer "Soccer Ball shaped Houses". Another view of the house being constructed click here.

Actually, this very practical house is made in Japan and can be delivered to it's home site by helicopter or by more conventional means. I do believe a Japanese company actually sells these in Japan. A dodecahedron shape has 12 faces (sides), 30 edges, & 20 vertices's. The website is in the Japanese language, even if you do not understand the Japanese language click around the Japanese language site and you can see the different projects this skillful man has developed. Visit here » Japanese Language or English Language.

“Is your present house OK? Is it strong enough to endure a great earthquake or flood to be caused by global warming? Barier offers a safe, living space, a multi-functional, elegant and playful space, emphasizing each individual personality. Barier is a soccer ball-shaped house developed by us (international patent pending). A soccer ball with which you played in your childhood gets bigger like a dream ball and appears as a place to live in. It floats on the sea and can be a rescue ship. We believe it will be a gift to those who never give up a dream.”

Barier House • 226-5 Tominaga • Yamagata City • Gifu Prefecture 501-2257 Japan • Phone: +81-581-52-3885 • Fax: +81-581-52-3886 •

info@g-wood.jp

ZOMICILE This system produces beautiful jewel like structures never before seen.

"The Zomicile is a Modular Prefab building system which uses a Rigid Panel Tension System© to balance and distribute the compressive and tensile forces of the structure using a unique slotted panel and gusset design. Zomadic, LLC is a Design and Fabrication company based in San Francisco, California. We specialize in helping designers, builders and makers of all sorts realize their ideas using digital technology. We also have skill and passion for all things polyhedral, geodesic and synergetic. The Zomicile is the fruition of a ongoing research and development project to design an inexpensive, easy to manufacture, easy to construct, redeployable polyhedral shelter. The Rigid Panel Tension System© system allows the structure to be easily assembled and disassembled; it also enables a Zomicile to be redesigned or upgraded using the same panels. This saves materials and money. Start small and grow big. And using our system Zomes can also be connected and mated with each other in an astounding variety of ways. Visit www.zomadic.com to learn more."

Zomadic LLC • 2901 Mariposa St Suite 15 • San Francisco CA 94110 • (415) 864-6488

info@zomadic.com

COCOON This is actually a rental unit in Australia. Wye River is a small town in Victoria, Australia situated some 96 miles west of Melbourne, on the Otway Coast part of the scenic Great Ocean Road. Wye River is a popular tourist destination about 9 miles west of the resort town of Lorne, Victoria, Australia. The shape appears to be that similar to a blimp or dirigible.

"This cocoon for weekend living is situated in a bushy coastal hamlet on the Great Ocean Road. The steepness of the site, the dramatic views and the sometimes harsh climate resulted in a object house that whilst protecting from the elements, opened one side to the landscape. In principle this is a matchbox inside an egg, a rectangle within an oval. Inside, the spaces dovetail together with the economic precision of a small boat or caravan. The light weight monocoque structure is a hybrid of techniques appropriated from boat building and aircraft engineering. The path to building this home was one of unleashing the pragmatic inside the poetic."

Description: Small House • Completed: 2001 • Location: Wye River, Coastal Victoria, Australia

MEDITATION DODECAHEDRON This old popular science "How-to-build" article features a 12-sided dodecahedron, (each face of which is a perfect pentagon; a pentagon i think is a shape in space which has 5 sides all equal in length) used as a "meditation" room. You understand "meditation"? Like a quiet place you go to - to think and be quiet. The finished structure is kind of small, but maybe you can expand the dimensions to make a much larger structure.

“The fun, then, in making your personal Meditator, is double: First you create 11 phalanges (only the access panel is left bare), then discover the unexpected cross-referencing when you wrap yourself in the assembled panels. Beyond that, you'll be able to compare responses with your friends. And when you feel you've exhausted the potential of a given assembly, it's easy to paste new pictures over the old. I think you'll be surprised by the new perspectives you'll get toward the world about you, and your own part in it. I'll soon be taking the Meditator with me (knocked down, it fits into a station wagon or sedan) on a college lecture tour as part of my demonstration of design technique. Teachers who have had an advance look at the Meditator feel that with changeable panels - it could be utilized in schools as a teaching environment. A breeze to build. When you go to the lumber yard for the 3/8" plywood, see if they'll saw the 4-by-8 panels in half for you. Four-foot squares are easier to handle. After you've cut all the pentagons as illustrated, clamp them into two groups of six and lay out the 1/4" holes along the edges. To bore these holes accurately, it's best to use an accessory stand with your portable drill. The distance from the edge should match the holes in the corner angles you buy. Spread one of the angles to an accurate 117 degrees, checking with a protractor, then use it as a template for the other 89. Give all wood parts a coat of enamel undercoat. When this is dry and smoothed with fine sandpaper, apply a good semigloss enamel finish to the outside faces and all edges. For a decorative effect, paint adjacent panels contrasting colors and paint the feet to match or contrast.”

Modern Mechanix

PREFAB DEFENSE HOUSE One person commented that this looks like a grain silo converted into living quarters. That is probably a good idea for someone who has access to one that is no longer being used or maybe they are cheap enough to buy new and can be converted into a home.

From Blog Modern Mechanix archives:

“This radical-looking prefabricated house is one of the many types which have been submitted to the Division of Defense Housing Coordination as a quick, cheap method of housing defense workers. The house weighs only a ton, and can be constructed in six days by one man. While these do look fairly inexpensive, these days we have nice rectangular shipping containers that can be converted to shippable housing much more easily than 24ft culvert pipe can - and the interior space would be more efficiently used.”

Modern Mechanix

PRECISION PYRAMIDS Even if you are not a believer these cool frames might be adaptable for other human shelter uses. Possibly could be covered with a tarp or sheet metal or plywood.

“Pyr-a-mids! Or that which means in Greek, "Fire-in-the-middle." Pyramids come in many shapes, sizes, and forms, and have been attributed to be able to do many wondrous things from sharpening razor blades (as well as your mind!), to mummifying people and animals, to being the Sacred Chamber where the Initiate enters into to his Final Test in order to realize her True Godhood.”

“Pyramids! Some people claim that it makes their plants grow wild. Others say that it increases their telepathic abilities and out-of-body experiences. Some people use them to preserve food; others, to make a better bottle of wine. Kernels of wheat, over 3000 years old, where found in the King's Chamber of the Great Pyramid and still grew, a world's record.”

“I sell high-quality, precision-made meditation pyramids of all different sizes to suit everyone's need. I have been working at this for over four years, making jigs and templates and designs that will create the best meditation pyramids that I can possibly make. Please take a gander through my website. I think you will like what you will see.”

Location: Possibly Washington State •

precisionpyramids@gmail.com

FIBERGLASS IGLOOS This site is actually called "Mr. Igloo" home of the fiberglass igloo, a very cool idea. They refer to themselves as the "THE MASTER OF MODULAR IGLOO CONSTRUCTION".

“Igloos constructed out of snow, have been used for centuries. The word "Igloo" simply means house or snow house. The igloo shelter is structurally strong and self supporting. For this reason you do not need support poles inside your shelter. This makes for more usable area for sleeping and storage. But unlike "snow" igloos, you can use your fiberglass igloo just about anywhere. Have you ever seen an igloo on a sandy beach? Well, now you could. Your igloo could be set up and used anywhere. It can even be buried to create an emergency underground tornado shelter. Fiberglass igloo shelters are self supporting, which means that there are no poles, or columns in the center. They are easy to heat in the winter, and the white color helps reflect heat in the summer. They are "Modular in Construction" which makes it possible to ship and transport. They could also be made "Air Tight" for use as a chemical bunker. The rugged Fiberglass Igloo will provide you with years of trouble free, reliable comfort.”

Mr Igloo • 7041 East State Road 46 • Batesville IN 47006 • Toll Free: (866) 933-0071 • Phone: (812) 933-0071 • Fax: (812) 933-5411 •

mrigloo@fiberglassigloos.com

FREE SPIRIT SPHERES It is a type of tree house i suppose from British Columbia Canada. Nice website, good pictures.

“Welcome to the world of Free Spirit Spheres, set among the tall trees of the west coast rainforest of Vancouver Island, Canada. We invite you to experience a tree house for adults. . . 16 years and over. (liability considerations). Built on vision and engineering these handcrafted spheres are suspended like pendants from a web of rope. They occupy a truly unique place in the world while providing a habitat for the un-tamed spirit that exists in us all. If it suits your un-tamed spirit you may wish to purchase a sphere or components to build your own. Uses for these spheres are limited only by ones imagination: Healing, meditation, photography, canopy research, leisure and game watching are just some of the things you can do. Spheres, Eve, Eryn and Melody, are available for overnight rental. We are approximately 30km north of Parksville on Vancouver Island along the Inland Island Hwy (#19), near Qualicum Bay. The acreage is on private property close to Horne Lake Caves, Georgia Strait and Mount Washington. Come experience an enchanted coastal rain forest. . . your comfortable, gently swaying, restful sphere awaits. Uses for these durable Spheres are limited only by ones imagination. Healing, meditation, photography, canopy research, bedroom, leisure and game watching are just some of the things you could do. Spheres can be hung from the trees as shown or from any other solid objects like buildings or rock faces. A web of rope is connected to any strong points available. This replaces the foundation of a conventional building. A suspended tree house uses the forest for its foundation. Each sphere has four attachments on top and another four anchor points on the bottom. Each attachment is strong enough to carry the entire sphere and contents.”

Free Spirit Spheres • Qualicum Beach • BC Canada • Phone: (250) 757-9445 • Cell: (250) 951-9420

tom@freespiritspheres.com

RELAX SHACKS Even though this man (Derek Diedricksen) has been building small huts for quite awhile it seems, he has just recently started promoting his creations. He specializes in very small personal huts suitable for one to three people at the most in sleeping areas, but the units he builds look to me to be able to accommodate one person actually living in the hut. He is also selling a self-published book which you can buy on his site entitled "Humble homes, Simple shacks" (On 4/16/11: $17.95). He has a lot of good ideas to check out. Diedricksen also hosts the show "Tiny Yellow House"- a web TV program on micro-architecture. He has mentioned that his little huts would be good to use as a shelter for a homeless person or someone about to become homeless. I think he said he has spent about $200 on each hut to bring them to completion - he salvages most of the building material.

“In this follow-up episode, Host Derek "Deek" Diedricksen gives a tour of his mini-cabin/house built out of recycled junk (from dumpster diving/repurposing) and curbside materials . . . with a guitar tease/appearance from Age Against The Machine/Anklelock/Any Given Enemy guitarist Bill Bracken Jr. who appears in the subsequent Tiny Rehearsal Space Episode (#3 with doumbek and cajon solos, van halen, nirvana, journey, and rage tunes galore- acoustically!- coming REAL soon . . .). Filmed by Steven Sherrick of Obscure Knowledge Productions.”

Relax Shacks YouTube Channel

SUBURBAN TIPI Check out this very neat modern tipi concept developed by John Paananen using modern high tech materials. The idea: "take the fused nomadic home designs of the yurt, tipi, and igloo and slip the straitjacket of suburban values, materials, and methods of construction over them". Very interesting result. I placed this item here on this page because it is not really an Indian tipi. Just looks similar in design.

"Exterior material List: PVC siding, polypropylene fluted sheeting, engineered timber, polycarbonate structured sheeting, foil-foam-foil insulation, plywood, polyethylene sheeting, a whole lot of screws. Interior materials: plastic laminate flooring, concrete fire pit, carpet tiles, hardboard panels, polypropylene fluted sheeting. Dimensions: 18' diameter x 16' tall. The idea: take the fused nomadic home designs of the yurt, tipi, and igloo and slip the straitjacket of suburban values, materials, and methods of construction over them. Want a suburban tipi or something like it? Drop me a line at john [at] johnnyp.org"

john@johnnyp.org

TROPICAL TREEHOUSE Probably many of you have seen this website, but here it is again for your future reference. Picture on the right is of their 'Sunset Hooch'. "You've probably never seen such a house as this . . . The world is full of nice, ordinary little people, who live in nice, ordinary little houses, on the ground. But didn't you ever dream of living in a house in the treetops?" . . .

“This is the internet home of our tropical treehouse, a different kind of vacation rental in the lush hills of Rincón, Puerto Rico. Stay here, and never want to leave. Or, stay here, and venture out. The treehouse and Puerto Rico offer a wealth of island ambiance and tropical activities, whatever vacation movie you want to make. Sunsets dominate the experience here, green flashes are a phenomena best seen from a hooch. Come stay in our treehouses, watch the sunset, listen to the coqui frog, and our local Puerto Rican owl. The Luna hooch ($110/ night) & the Sunset hooch ($135/ night) are totally self-sufficient treehouses- solar hot water, shower, kitchenette, flush toilet, and a queen size bed in the penthouse suite- with a killer view. Sweet! Our Tree-Guesthouse is located in the hills of Rincón, Puerto Rico. We are just minutes away from the islands' most exotic beaches. This coastal town is known for its spectacular sunsets, surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and humpback whale watching (February - March).”

Tropical-Treehouse • Phone: (541) 499-3885 (Jo) / 482-6357 (Laura) •

bamboo@tropical-treehouse.com

GLOBE HOUSE Someone could pick up this design and start building globe homes (we'll call them globbers) out of fiberglass using a large round mold to form the outer shell. There are several travel trailers made out of fiberglass (the outer shell) so i am sure it would work for this type of housing. Click on the link to view more specifics about this house.

“Only 15 feet in diameter, this low-cost home offers all the conveniences of a larger one. And, it can be delivered by boat, truck or even a helicopter.”

Modern Mechanix

A-Z WAGON STATIONS This lady has designed a couple of structures which have great appeal to me. The one shown here is the A-Z Wagon Station, a portable sleeping unit usable almost anywhere.

“The prototype for the A-Z Wagon Station is inspired by two different generations of "wagons." The covered wagons used by the original settlers of the West, and the station wagon of the 20th Century which provides just the minimum space needed to create privacy and comfort for its occupants. To date, we have built 18 Wagon Stations which now dot the land surrounding my house at A-Z West, and I have invited friends and collaborators who frequently visit to customize their own personal Stations. The Stations reflect the qualities that I feel create independence for the owner and user: compactness, adaptability and transportability. Their compact, enclosed shape is durable, can be closed and locked up when not in use, and can be camouflaged to hide in covert locations. Although the Wagon Station doesn't have wheels, it can be partially disassembled and packed into more remote or difficult to reach locations.”- Andrea Zittel

Email:

andrea@rosengallery.com

FLYING CONCRETE This is the website of Steve Kornher, an expert in building with "Light Weight Concrete": Born in Gooding, Idaho USA, 1950. 30 years building experience, 15 of those years in Mexico. I have been interested in Alternative Building Practices for most of this time and have worked with adobe and rammed earth as well as various types of concrete masonry construction. Author of "The Complete Handbook of Solar Air Heating Systems, Rodale Press, 1984". He also does consulting work - contact him below. About Light Weight Concrete:

"Concrete is strong in compression and the best way to take advantage of this property is by building structures that are inherently self-supporting and don't need a lot of iron reinforcing. Since most building here in Mexico is with concrete, it is easier to let your imagination go wild. Local builders have been working with ferro-cement, styrofoam panels, plastered straw bale, and soil-crete. I have had the most success with light weight concrete. Light weight concrete differs from heavy concrete by it's use of naturally light weight materials (aggregates) such as pumice (volcanic stone) in place of the sand and gravel used in ordinary structural concrete mixes. It only weighs half as much. Not all concrete is ugly, hard, cold and difficult to work with. There exists a whole range of light weight concretes "which have a density and compressive strength very similar to wood. They are easy to work with, can be nailed with ordinary nails, cut with a saw, drilled with woodworking tools, easily repaired. We believe that ultra-light weight concrete is one of the most fundamental bulk building materials of the future."

Contact: Mexico 011 (52) 415 155 9526 CST • Email:

mxSteve@gmail.com

ECO HAB This appears to be a relatively new business located in England. Looks to be a high quality very efficient small home design. Very Beautiful indeed.

ECO HAB™ - ECO FRIENDLY HOMES

Eco Hab is committed to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint, by building a range of the highest performing energy efficient Eco friendly Homes.

Every step has been taken during the design and construction of our Eco Pods, to minimize the Homes demand and dependency of fossil fuels.

This has been achieved by incorporating the following features:

• High level of thermal insulation giving an overall U value
• Of up to .18 for the 4m pod and .16 for the 6m pod
• Sealed Envelope (no air leakage)
• Hot air recovery ventilation
• Wood/ solid fuel burning stove
• Under floor heating
• Full recycling facility (5 separate waste shoots)
• Factory built (controlled work environment)

ECO HAB™ Homes • Bradley Lane • Manchester M32 8RH UK • Phone: 0161 8489770 / 0161 9628485
Fax: 0161 8489404 •

info@ecohab.co.uk

12FT X 12FT PYRAMID CABIN Another outstanding project by Paul Welkins. Just think, using this system you could make yourself a pretty comfortable tiny cabin for a very small amount of money. I like this creation a lot, possibly the best one i have seen.

“Next year will be my wife's first time at Burningman, so being a semi-veteran burner I've taken it upon myself to make this a pleasant experience for her, but like most north westerners she doesn't do well in heat. (Not a good thing for a weeks stay on an unforgiving desert). I chose foil backed foam board as a building material after reading about the 'Hexayurt'. These structures claim to keep the interior about 10 or 15 degrees cooler than the blazing outside and manage to keep most of the dust out. Not being a conventional guy, after many doodles and several cardboard models I opted for a pyramid shape. After some trepidation I bought the materials and created what you see here. We've grown to really like this shelter and it's many attributes. It's very roomy for 10 sheets of material, plenty of head room, a vaulted ceiling, and storage galore! The dining area has bubble windows that you can pear out of while sitting comfortably. It also holds up fabulously to strong winds to where I may just use mitered 2x4x12' boards running along the base to keep it from blowing away. The cost is around $300 once you add everything up. Not bad for a light weight, reusable home away from home. . .”

Contact •

paulwelkins@yahoo.com

A-FRAME CABINS I think the old A-Frame design offers at least one low cost solution to building a shelter. Visit this link for an old A-Frame plan from U-Bild. A-Frame Cabin (Plan No. 381).

"U-Bild has provided America's favorite woodworking plans since 1948. U-Bild project plans are ideal patterns for woodworkers and do-it-yourselfers of all skill levels. U-Bild plans offer unique "trace, saw and assemble" designs that feature simple-to-follow patterns (like sewing patterns). Even beginners can achieve professional wood working results. Each do-it-yourself plan features detailed step-by-step instructions, full-size traceable patterns (where needed), in-progress photos, isometric diagrams and complete materials lists and cutting schedules."

U-Bild • 3800 Oceanic Dr. Suite 107 • Oceanside, CA 92056 • 1-800-82-U-BILD

FOLDED HOMES This is a good website with plenty of pictures of their products. Be sure and visit their "Our Shelters" section. They have a lot of stuff.

“Folded Homes provides environmentally appropriate and cost-effective solutions to human shelter needs. Our shelters are great for personal and business applications. But the company's mission is particularly focused on helping address humanitarian shelter crisis.We believe that a truly effective humanitarian shelter solution is one that quickly delivers large numbers of easy-to-assemble, language-neutral, low-cost, four-season shelters even to locations where transportation infrastructure may have broken down. Folded Homes structures are based on origami architecture and manufactured from safe, recyclable materials. Properly maintained, they will last years. Yurt shelters offer an elegant, utilitarian solution to both emergency and personal use applications. They are easy to assemble without tools, ladders, scaffolding or power. Our LiteYurt is a superior, price-competitive alternative to the refugee tent that is so simple to assemble that the manual is textless. Thousands can be delivered within weeks. Combine a UtiYurt or more sophisticated TekYurt to create complex, four-season, multi-room structures and compounds suitable for refugees, clinics, schools, aid mission teams, or your family or back-country business location. Customize the yurts with doors and windows from our shelter accessories kits. Pod shelters invoke 'buildings as art' to provide you with a signature structure when your event, trade-show booth, or personal shelter demands a truly beautiful space.”

Folded Homes LLC • 2824 NW Garryanna Drive • Corvallis OR 97330 USA • Phone: (570) 240-7121 • Fax: (510) 547-2316 •

info@foldedhomes.com

BUILDING THE EARTHBAG DOME HOUSE For those of you interested in building the Earthbag Dome house this video on the right will show how it is done correctly. You can pause the video anytime to study the current step being done. Notice how these people pay attention to detail in order to get a nice looking finished product. Also notice that some tools they use are homemade. Also be sure and enjoy the nice music accompaning this video.

DoctorDirtBag

PALLET HOUSE This is a side project by a business called i-beam design.This is an interesting project with some good pictures included. It consists of a framework built using pallets, but unfinished as far as sheathing is concerned.

"Prototype built for the architecture triennale in milan, italy, "casa per tutti", 2008."

I-Beam Design was founded by Suzan Wines and Azin Valy in 1998. The firm has received numerous awards, most notably, first prize in the International Open Competition for the redesign of Lt. Petrosino Park in Lower Manhattan and an honorable mention for their solution to Transitional refugee Housing for the returning refugees of Kosovo, sponsored by Architecture for Humanity. Both projects were featured in the 7th International Architecture Venice Biennale. I-Beam Design is an innovative New York based architecture and design firm whose various architecture, interior design and public art projects are based on the principal that space as a fluid medium should be adaptable and responsive to site conditions and inhabitant's needs. We design flexible matrixes that are able to evolve according to changing environmental factors and input from the users. This expansive approach leads to dynamic and playful solutions. Each project is treated as a unique set of relationships, and the design emerges from an analysis of the parallels between the existing infrastructure, natural features and cultural identity of the site. As a result, our projects are always site specific. All architectural elements are designed to efficiently satisfy spatial, functional and programmatic requirements simultaneously. The built environment is a complex network of interdependent systems whose equilibrium is in a constant state of flux. Our work celebrates the conceptual and experiential potential that chance brings to architecture as we seek to build places that are "alive".

I-BEAM • 245 West 29th St suite 501A • New York NY 10001 • Phone: (212) 244-7596 • Fax: (212) 244-7597 •

suzan@i-beamdesign.com

TUBOHOTEL These rooms (or sleeping rooms) are made from concrete drain pipe and each contains a queen size bed for a good nights sleep. These units are really just a nice place to sleep, you can't take a shower in them and there is probably no toilet. Shower & toilet facilities are in a separate building. As of this date: 7-11-11, rent is $500 pesos a night or approximately $42 USD a night/365 days a year (500 Pesos per night per room (2 guests).

“TuboHotel is located in the Magic Village of Tepoztlan, Morelos about 45 minutes south of Mexico City on the other side of the mountain range. Tap here for a google map of Tubohotel. The most convenient airport is the Mexico City Airport. Physically and spiritually we are located on the return to the Tepoztlan – Mexico City toll road. When you exit the toll road at Tepoztlan from Mexico City, take your first U turn to the left. Ask Uncle Pepe, he will show you. Cross the bridge overpass and TuboHotel is located on the right. Use the lateral road towards the road to San Juan. If you are coming from Cuatla/Oaxtepec on the toll road, take the Tepoztlan exit and immediately on your right will be TuboHotel. If you are arriving on the federal highway from Cuernavaca, take a left towards the toll road before the gas station (only one in town), cross the bridge overpass, and Tubohotel will be on your right. Just like in life, Young Jedi, there are many ways to arrive at your chosen destination. Give us a call and a Tubo-Assistant will help you find your way in a chaotic world.”

TuboHotel • Reservations USA: (646) 216-8604 • Reservaciones Mexico: 01-739-395-3613

THE STUNNING TENTS COMPANY WOW! This is really a cool site. This business specializes in modern fabric covered tipis ranging from smaller personal sizes up to tents which can cover large groups of people. Their designs are very good in my opinion.
As they say: “Unusual and highly practical equipment for an outdoor life. Giant wooden pole tents, camping tents, heating, cooking and much more. Everything to equip occasional family camping trips, extreme expeditions and permanent corporate installations.”

“There are many different tent fabrics used by many tent manufacturers. Often the fabrics look alike when they are new, but the differences are quite substantial. A poor quality tent will let you down just when you need it the most. Tent fabrics intended for all-year-round usage must meet up to rigorous demands. We have chosen fabrics that best meet these various requirements and needs. Come and see us at our warehouse and we can show you every type and size of Tentipi tent from Safir 5 to Stratus 72. And all the accessories. PRICE PROMISE: If you can find the same Tentipi product elsewhere for less, we'll match the price.”

The Stunning Tents Company • Unit 6b Ash Park Business Centre • Ash Lane Little London Tadley Hampshire RG26 5FL UK • Phone: 01256 882114 •

enquiries@stunningtents.co.uk

ENCORE SYSTEMS This is a company in Moorhead, Minnesota that makes "Tire Balers". They refer to themselves as "The World Leader in Tire Baling Technology".

"Most people don't realize that hidden beneath all this negativity is a valuable building block. Many tire recycling options available in the market today require very expensive start-up and operating costs. More pollution can result in the end. At Encore Systems, our tire baling equipment compresses whole passenger tires, light truck tires and commercial truck tires into a single bale measuring 30" X 50" X 60". Our equipment is also capable of baling other recyclables such as cardboard, aluminum, etc. The completed bales are easily handled with a fork-lift, front-end loader or logger's clam."

Phone: (315) 339-3994 days or (315) 339-9065 nights

Click HERE to go to Part 2

PAUL ELKINS answer to the EDAR Homeless Cart/Shelter.

	The Irregular Shelter Theme Song .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Click HERE to Email Webmaster
Gary Green • PO Box 582 • Terlingua Texas 79852
Email Contact: messtime@yahoo.com

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Website Last Updated: January 24, 2012