hobbit dwellings

[owl_girl]

This is the coolest house ever and if there was a Hobbits Living magazine it would have been featured in it
http://www.scribemedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/hobbit_hi1.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6lLa8CAgCkY/SKlyKXWlUoI/AAAAAAAAAMw/Wu13O3AypOs/s400/wide%2520kitchen%2520end.jpg

http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm

http://www.thegreenparent.co.uk/images/uploads/2008-03-03-candlelit.jpg

http://ukiahcommunityblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/woodland-home5.jpg

http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm

they said it was only 5,000 $ to build. i want to do this

[chiye tanka]

That's freakin' cool. I want one.

[doug1980]

LOL wow straight out of the movie.

[2dumb2kwit]

That's just plain beautiful!

[trax]

that's awesome. I don't want one but I want to set some snares around one and trap me some hobbits!

[Pal334]

that's awesome. I don't want one but I want to set some snares around one and trap me some hobbits!

Whats a "hobbit", and is it edible?

[2dumb2kwit]

Whats a "hobbit", and is it edible?


Ummm.....just think of a short Rick, without the Twinkie filling. :innocent:

[Winnie]

Ummm.....just think of a short Rick, without the Twinkie filling. :innocent:

Hey stop talkin' about me 2Dumb! I can't help it if I have Ducks disease!

[crashdive123]

Neat house. I don't suppose they'd do well here though - termites!

[Winnie]

They are rather nice.

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

simple design that comforms to natures designs thats awsome

[wildWoman]

Cool. Is it cob? Go for it, I say!

[SARKY]

A more modern version would be the monolithic dome, earth bermed. check out
www.monolithicdomes.com
Then just use your imagination as to how you want to dress up the outside and inside. By the way, these domes cost wise are the same as a traditionally built home of the same square footage. However they are pretty much earthquake, hurricane tornado and fire proof. They can easily be made bullet proof as well. Heating and cooling is a fraction of what a traditional building will cost you.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Man that is really cool!! Dottie and I like it and the boys asked if we could move in!!! Of course they asked if they could bring their toys!!! LOL

[owl_girl]

Cool. Is it cob? Go for it, I say!
yea thats cob. i love the look of cob and i love the low price you can build cob and earth bag homes for

[wildWoman]

Well keep us posted if you end up building one in Alaska...I always wondered how that method does in cold climates.

[Rick]

I'm told that an Army (?) base north of Anchorage is still there, fully intact, several feet below the surface. Building on permafrost is a killer, so they tell me.

[canid]

that is an outstanding cob home. i'm in love with cob these days.

[Winnie]

Just a question, do you have to have permission from the authorities to build on a peice of land and are there any safety regulations you have to follow? I'm inerested to know how our different systems work.

[crashdive123]

Just a question, do you have to have permission from the authorities to build on a peice of land and are there any safety regulations you have to follow? I'm inerested to know how our different systems work.

I can't speak as to how it is everywhere, but I imagine it is similar in a lot of places. Plans, building permits, several inspections, once all of that is done - then a certificate of occupancy is issued. Doing something like that in a rural or remote location would probably involve much less, if any involvement with ordinances and officials from government.

[Winnie]

I was just wondering, over here you have to jump through so many hoops, it's almost like the authorities are hoping you'll be put off. The cost is prohibitive too. I have a peice of land(not much, just 1/4 acre) but it's mine and I wanted to build a log cabin or some such on it. The planning process took almost a year and then it was refused because a log cabin is not considered a permanent structure! I hate bearocracy! So I've covered it in trees. If I can't have my log cabin I decided to Pi$$ them off by planting the materials.
I wondered whether there were similar rules in your neck of the woods.

[crashdive123]

There are. They may not be as prohibitive as you experienced, but there are. Some of it IMO is worthwhile. Homes must be built according to building code. Homes have to be constructed in such a way to help mitigate wind (hurricanes), protect against termites, not be an electrical hazard. That's where the submittal of plans and the inspection process comes in.

[Winnie]

Thanks Crash

[2dumb2kwit]

I was just wondering, over here you have to jump through so many hoops, it's almost like the authorities are hoping you'll be put off. The cost is prohibitive too. I have a peice of land(not much, just 1/4 acre) but it's mine and I wanted to build a log cabin or some such on it. The planning process took almost a year and then it was refused because a log cabin is not considered a permanent structure! I hate bearocracy! So I've covered it in trees. If I can't have my log cabin I decided to Pi$$ them off by planting the materials.
I wondered whether there were similar rules in your neck of the woods.

I do site work. Mostly, small commercial sites.
From what I've seen, it varies wildly, from place to place. I've seen it from reasonable regulations, to absolutely surreal stupidity!

[Winnie]

I do site work. Mostly, small commercial sites.
From what I've seen, it varies wildly, from place to place. I've seen it from reasonable regulations, to absolutely surreal stupidity!

I did wonder if that was the case as you have a state system and each state has it's own rules. Over here the rules are for the whole country. Well lets face England can get lost in some states!

[2dumb2kwit]

I did wonder if that was the case as you have a state system and each state has it's own rules. Over here the rules are for the whole country. Well lets face England can get lost in some states!

Not just states.....each county, and/or city, has it's own set of rules/reg's.

[Winnie]

Not just states.....each county, and/or city, has it's own set of rules/reg's.

Good grief!

[canid]

in the us, i don't believe it's legal to build structurally with cob for any structure to which the building code applies.

everybody i know of who has done so has understanding neighbors and no visits from building inspectors.

[canid]

i know at least that this is the case with the UBC in the western states, from my research.

[owl_girl]

there are cob houses in the US so im sure there are places you can build it. i dont think ill hav a prob out in alaska. i probably wont be in a town

[wildWoman]

Just get the land to build on in an unincorporated area. They don't have anyone to enforce codes. But as Crash pointed out, a lot of stuff in the building codes is worthwhile to incorporate anyway - rafter spacing, roof pitch, wall strength...

Oh and don't make the mistake of building a little guest cabin first...otherwise you might end up as we did and many others living permanently in the wee cabin because it is a pretty time-intensive and often nerve-fraying occupation, to build a house.

[finallyME]

Have you seen Cody Lundin's house. Fairly similar.

http://www.codylundin.com/images/aces-12.jpg

Link (http://www.codylundin.com/codys_house.html)

[canid]

yeah, rural building makes a big difference. most of the people i know who have done this sort of building, and even some wood cabins i know would be condemmed on the spot of an inspecter ever came by, and yet have structurally sound homes of a high quality.

any home subject to the UBC built structurally of cob is illegal. it won't stop an owner builder who wants one.

[Durtyoleman]

Whats a "hobbit", and is it edible?
I guess...I still would rather fry them and nuke their bacon.


Run Samwise!!! poor little fellers...

D.O.M.:tongue_smilie:

[BENESSE]

I've stayed in a few of these and was amazed how efficient they were.
Cool in the summer, warm in the winter, with a surprising amount of light coming from the front door/window
and illuminating the areas further in.
http://www.greek-islands.us/santorini/cave-houses/

[crashdive123]

Those look pretty cool. Having a small vacation spot with a cave dwelling might be neat. Or maybe even a bear den.:innocent:

[hunter63]

Very cool, always loved the Hobbit house.
Also like the round stone house in the Harry Potter movies, think like the caretaker lives there?