Skill training & one person living space
Author Dada Krpasundarananda
Philipines, Mindanou, Davao, A bit outside of Davao City
Authors Cal-Earth
Skill training & one person living space
Strengths: “Super Adobe” is a simple and versatile building system by Nader Khalili that empowers people to build their own home. It's fun to build, fire proof, tornado proof, highly earthquake resistant, high thermal mass to keep comfortable temperature. It can be beautiful and creatively finished for dignified short term living in emergency shelters or long term in domes like this. Energy used to build is used effectively as the earth mix is only handled once and goes straight where it's needed.
Difficulties: It's a bit labor intensive. (though a lot less than other earth building systems) It has an unconventional shape that many people need to get used to. Furniture and finishing is also harder to make though it inspires creativity! In many poorer countries earth buildings are for the poorest so people some don't want to associate with it and prefer the concrete square boxes from the wealthy West even though they give less comfort.
Extra information: More on Super Adobe: www.calearth.org Additional photos and info on the construction of this dome: http://news.dadaksa.com/travel_zine_01_49/log32.htm The cost for the shell was about $2500 for 28m2 / 55m3
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