cheap shelter's topics - tribe.net

mini motel

2008-07-16T07:01:36Z

http://www.minimotel.net/

posted in cheap shelter - 1 reply

Living in an 18-Wheeler, Lorry, Semi....aka a big truck-trailer

2008-07-07T04:30:44Z

All posts moved & thread re-named (can't rename a thread without moving it and starting over).
Please try to remember that once a thread moves down from the top (most recent) position, no one will know WHAT your thread is about (and therefore will have no reason to click on it) unless you include that info in your subject line.
People do read the archives, we do revive threads & add to them rather than start duplicate threads & re-invent the wheel. The more specific your thread title, the more helpful it is to others searching the archives.
That's the same reason we don't do the usual "bad online forum etiquette" of encouraging threads titled "I was wondering..", "Anyone know...", "Question", "An idea", "Anyone tried this?", "Hello from New Zealand", "Anyone from Minnesota?" etc.......
Thanks.

tf1
................................................

new post
Re: Cheap and Big Shelter........... Today, 3:02 PM
" The whole vehicle would be your pull-out vehicle."

Now, I've always heard that the 'pull-out method' doesn't work very well.

.................................................................................................

new post
Re: Cheap and Big Shelter........... Today, 2:31 PM
in response to: Re: Cheap and Big Shelter...........
I could see converting the trailer into living quarters. The whole vehicle would be your pull-out vehicle. Shit gets bad, you go somewhere where it's better. If your area becomes contaminated with Bio agents or radioactive fallout, then pull-out and go elsewhere.

I wouldn;t want to bury one though. The would not support very well. There are other threads talking about using shipping containers and partially burying them, but everything I';ve read says they will not support a complete burial, so I doubt the trailer on an 18 wheeler would either.

.........................................................................
Re: Cheap and Big Shelter........... Mon, June 30, 2008 - 9:21 PM
in response to: Cheap and Big Shelter...........
Martyn,
Are you trying to capitalize on the mobility of the semi--- being able to haul around your living space on a truck---or are you interested in this idea because of the sheer size? If it's the latter (size) then you will want to look the threads on Shipping Containers. Better, stronger, nearly indestructable--- but not mobile. UNLESS you buy the truck, keep the container there semi-permanently or permanently. But that is not "cheap" (a running semi with a hauling trailer plus a $1500-$2000 40 ft shipping container would not meet anyone's definition of "cheap shelter", chances are. At least not when you compare it to the price of the readily available shipping container alone ($1500-$2000 plus under $1000 if you're lucky, to haul it to your location).

Also, just a reminder, in general----it's best if folks search existing threads to see if your topic of interest is already there, AND title any new threads in such a way that people have a good idea of what your thread is actually about. Since this whole tribe is "cheap shelter", a thread called "cheap and big shelter" doesn't tell us much. I'll probably move the post into an existing category.....I think we already have some going, re trucks and truck living. A lorry or semi fits there.... .
Thanks.

......................................................................
Re: Cheap and Big Shelter........... Sat, June 21, 2008 - 3:10 PM
in response to: Cheap and Big Shelter...........
I think you'd have to be sixes and sevens to live in a lorry trailer. Brass monkeys in the winter, kettle in the summer. Bollocks. that's about all the brittish I know.

you'd have to get pretty inventive about insulation, unless you bought a 'reefer' trailer in which case you could probably get that refrigerator unit going and keep mighty cool in the summer.

I've seen semi trailers used as auxiliary outbuildings, storage buildings, and even limited use as living spaces (usually adjacent to the building where the kitchen and the bathroom would be) in extreme climates, you also need to do something about all that draft space underneath the trailer, you could put solid skirts all around and use it for storage, perhaps.

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Cheap and Big Shelter........... Sat, June 21, 2008 - 12:51 AM
Please excuse me if this is total crap. as it is only my second post.

Also if the spelling is "different" I AM an English Guy........ OK????? Lol

How about using an Articulated Lorry Trailer? ......errr Ok , A SEMI TRUCK Trailer to my USA Friends. ( SECRET: I just moved to Los Angeles From UK, Via Spain, I am still getting used to the differences in the language)

they are BIG.

I see em advertised cheapish on ebay and Craigslist.

PROBLEM would be getting then to the place of "Habitability"

Just a Thought Folks!!!!!

Martyn

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

how to get the land?

2008-07-07T00:30:43Z

I have noticed that ther e is an abundance of information on how to build with inexpensive materials but somehow getting the property to put the shelter on is the expensive part. Is there anyone who knows about guerilla land financing or something like that ?

posted in cheap shelter - 37 replies

Silos--- grain, missile, or ?

2008-07-06T12:48:35Z

Homes built from grain silos, missile silos, and....?

Article on metal silo (but where are the photos??)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml?xml=/property/2004/03/02/psilo29.xml

Another silo article, same area (Warwickshire, UK)
http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2007/09/24/107006/old-grain-bins-make-great-homes.html

I found some other conversions that were too expensive to fit into our "cheap" them here. Still interesting inspirations though... .

posted in cheap shelter - 11 replies

Generic metal "garages"

2008-07-04T13:58:34Z

Ok, so the ads for these generic metal "garages" are everywhere. Online, and in every bargain trader- type publication you see. Plus, the companies that sell these wildly popular $600 metal carports usually sell the garages too.
While not as cheap as living in a van, building a shed from pallets, or pitching a tent, they are relatively "cheap" (some sample prices below). I wonder how many people have turned them into living quarters...?
These buildings are not the super-strong steel-beamed industrial buildings used for commerical purposes--- the ones that typically cost $25,000 to $50,000 for not much more than a shell and concrete floor, once you're talking about a structure in the 30x50, 40x60 ft range.
I don't consider 50 grand "cheap shelter".

On the very low price end (a company that seems to offer better prices than most), I know a builder in the southeast U.S who will install a 24 x 24 x 8 tall garage without concrete floor, one roll-up door and one person door---- for $3,400. It's $5,000 if they pour your concrete floor. That's considered a pretty large structure in this context; 16 x 20 etc is considered pretty common, and obviously cost less. Buy the materials package, have it delivered, and do the erection yourself? The price drops by at probably half. You could have a dwelling the size of a small house for under $2,500 (not including any electric, plumbing, heating).

Anyone have any experience with these? The metal is a bit flimsy. HOW flimsy? Like an RV or a 6x10 backyard storage shed, i.e. it dents if you lean on it or the lawnmower throws a rock against it? These things are supported by aluminum ribs or trusses that look pretty wimpy--- but a common advertising strategy, touting the strength of the design & materials, is for the company to use a photograph of their staff of 12 people standing on the roof. (LOL, "we not only stand behind our product, we stand ON it!" etc). Insulation would be a challenge--- nothing to attach fiberglass bats to, nothing to blow insulation into. Use the foil material with air cells? (Looks like the fold-up sun protectors you use to protect your car dashboard). That's commonly used in garage packages these days. Spray-on foam would be an option...but would be ugly and probably not all that eco-friendly.

Thoughts, ideas, personal experiences?

posted in cheap shelter - 12 replies

Quirky homes

2008-07-01T22:55:41Z

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/America-Home-Small-Houses-and-Quirky-Homes/ss/events/lf/061208aahsanctuary;_ylt=AjeGIzDin745UjVA4AQIMdtxieAA

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

shipping container living

2008-05-27T02:37:43Z

thats what i'm about at present. http://beaverlake.homestead.com/moark.html i chose a refrigerated unit instead of a SEA BOX container because the reefer was ready to bury. the reefer gave me the max for $$.

posted in cheap shelter - 55 replies

Earth homes

2008-05-16T01:55:45Z

Anyone ever built an earth home? Rammed earth or adobe? Am thinking of attempting this soon for my first home, hopefully in Portugal. Am leaning towards Adobe or Hybrid adobe, so many options out there. Any adivce or reference materials anyone can offer or reccomend would be invited. Am doing all this on a nonexistent budget with my two hands and whatever help comes along.
Really interested to get a good book with drawings and illustrations the "adobe homes for idiots" if anyone makes such a thing. Thanks for the help ya'll.

posted in cheap shelter - 1 reply

Tipis and Cheap Living

2008-04-28T14:48:22Z

I was just browsing around trying to find myself a place to live when I stumbled upon a few interesting ads...

http://denver.craigslist.org/apa/634163966.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/apa/650976181.html

It is not possible for me (since I have a girlfriend) to venture into either of these..but I could definitely see myself doing it if I was footloose and fancy free.

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

steve?

2008-04-13T15:06:29Z

where did he go? he was cool. i will miss him

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

Hobbit Hole!

2008-04-11T03:08:48Z

He goes to great lengths to emphasize that it is a low-cost low-impact environmentally cooperative home...but we all know... It's a hobbit hole.

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

Do I need to say anything more? The page on the other end of that link is one of the more complete ones on the subject I have ever come across. And it's not aimed at the fantasy-convention dungeons and dragons crowd, a major bonus!

posted in cheap shelter - 9 replies

Shed Living

2008-04-02T15:24:52Z

Howdy. I'm a newbie to tribe.net. I recently bought a piece of rural land in the mountains. The land is far from the grid. I want it to be an occasional weekend getaway, but I have no construction skills and little money and don't want to build an expensive structure that will be an open invitation to burglars and thieves when it is unattended. The permitting process in my state is very expensive and elaborate, so I don't want to mess with it. But, I don't want to build something that will be in violation of the building codes, in case I get inspected. I considered many cheap, alternative shelter options (yurts, treehouses, teepees, shipping containers, etc.) but finally decided to have an 8' x 14' shed custom-built off-site and delivered. This circumvents the building permit process. The shed will have a steeply pitched roof, a sleeping loft, a wood-burning stove, 3 windows, double shed doors on one end and a regular door on the far side. No plumbing or electricity. I am going to insulate it and finish the interior with a friend. 2 rain barrels will catch water off the roof, and I plan to build a covered porch off one side of the structure, which can later be framed in. A portable (and removable) solar panel and battery will supply power for 2 lights at night. An outhouse will suffice for the toilet, and I may have a well drilled at some point. If I do, it will have a hand-pump. This housing option is the simplest and cheapest one I was able to come up with. It also suits my sensibilities. FYI: apparently any structure over 8' wide is considered a wide load (in my state) if it needs to be transported via truck/trailer, thus it saves money to limit the width to 8 feet.

posted in cheap shelter - 8 replies

cardboard!

2008-01-29T07:15:39Z

i have a few shelter designs i'm going to build from corrugated paperboard, aka cardboard.

anyone else building with cardboard?

posted in cheap shelter - 19 replies

domes

2008-01-16T07:03:04Z

search tribe photos for DOME. there are many. it took me quite a while to view them all. good stuff.

posted in cheap shelter - 4 replies

Shipping containers...the bad things

2008-01-15T18:24:46Z

ok I thought I would do the shipping container for a home, I must have looked at fifty of them and each one had its problems or on some hazards. The most dangerous problems for a living being was that the plywood was the industrial formaldehyde stuff, a couple had been resin caked with who knows what and then I found paint testing lead positive on others. With no sensible ventilation you could over time become a zombie living in one. Most have been used for years and often they get packed with industrial garbage we don't want to know exists and who knows what has soaked in. I am definitely not against using them but living in them can be economically suicide. Better off living in the open and having these as storage.
ok I trolled that one pretty good, huh?.,.. so here's my food for thought offering. What about using them for structural bulk and storage. Basically you live outside underneath and build off the container bulk. I think this would be cool with three of them. Perhaps two parallel with one crossing on top. Put up a roof and walls and you've created some usable real space. I was really thinking of doing this with straw bales to really keep costs down. Any further notions?

posted in cheap shelter - 17 replies

shipping containers in costa rica?

2008-01-10T00:15:52Z

anyone have any information on who to contact about purchasing a used shipping container form the port of Limon in Costa Rica? thanks-

posted in cheap shelter - 2 replies

A Question from a newer tribe member

2007-12-26T19:40:21Z

What are all y'all's opinion about Yurts? It looks to me like I could build one from scratch for between $500 - $2000 depending on how much of the materials I can scrouge and how much I have to pay for. I'm talkinf about an approximately 300 square foot structure.

posted in cheap shelter - 11 replies

"Survival Guide" / How To

2007-12-22T14:05:58Z

Hey everyone,

I am one of the organizers of a project looking to create a full-time burner community on an island in Nicaragua. Like Burning Man, sustainability is not our focus, but it is certainly one of the things which members of the project are interested in. There is one other group also looking to create a full-time burner commity.

I want to create a single "how to" or "survival guide" that will teach members of these permanent communities everything that they need
to know about green construction techniques and sustainable energy. And of course the info would be of great use to anyone outside of these communities who has interest in doing it for themselves.

I can see it almost mirroring Bob Stahl's old, but great page on "Temporary Desert Structures". Here's a link to that:

http://www.geocities.com/potatotrap/tech/bluetarp.htm

But, this new page would focus on structures that are permanent, or semi-permanent, plus sustainable energy.

And, of course, I'd like to see this new how to/survival guide as a wiki, so that everyone can contribute.

Does anyone know of anything similar that already exists?

And would anyone be interested in helping out with this?

Cheers!

posted in cheap shelter - 1 reply

SHEDS

2007-12-17T18:57:20Z

http://www.modern-shed.com/pictures.html

posted in cheap shelter - 9 replies

land for sale SC Colorado

2007-12-10T21:01:22Z

6 acres in 2 lots on a public greenbelt/ creek in Baca Grants next to Crestone. Can build two houses each with a guest house and have 2 wells. Asking $49,000. Awesome views and access to mountains. Area has lots of Alternative building (local strawbales, adobe, airblock, cordwood, cob, etc) with no codes, just some restrictions. Contact direct if interested.

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

DH1, disaster house 1

2007-12-06T02:54:42Z

needs no tools to assemble. fits together like a puzzle.
http://dvice.com/archives/2007/06/dh1_disaster_house_from_stack.php

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

instant shelter

2007-11-21T04:43:38Z

a slideshow
http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/multimedia/2007/10/gallery_instant_housing

posted in cheap shelter - 2 replies

The Van Room

2007-11-20T01:17:47Z

This is my favorite web group! Great work.

I would say a van may be one of the cheapest and easiest forms of shelter, when parked on your land/ behind your home.

Why I did this:
price: bought used van, not working, for $200. If you ever get tired of it the junk yard will pick it up and pay you $150 just for the scrap metal.

Transportability: can be driven or towed to the spot on your land where you want it.

Efficient to build: Pay the tow guy and your shelter is done.

Weather-proof: water-tight against rain, etc.

Pest-proof: ditto. This was one of the factors wich decided me against going with something like a kit shed from Home Depot instead. Not having ants and spiders in your affordable housing is great.

Peace with the neighbors: it just looks like a parked van. This allows many locations that would not seem out of place.

Climate control: some vans, such as my Ford Aerostar, come with some carpeting and insulation. An air conditioner installed in the window of the sliding side door keeps it comfortable in summer. (The window unbolts in about 15 minutes, and may be re-bolted in the fall, when an electric space heater will take over.)

Durability, Low Maintenance: should last a few decades, with occaisional paint.

A few other notes:
I put sheets of tin foil in most of the windows, reflecting the hot sun, and preventing light from showing outside. A few of the windows that face the woods have simple curtains.

I use this as my sleeping room, as an addition to a small home in an urban neighborhood. So I have access to my regular kitchen, bath, washer/dryer, etc.
So I'm not asking too many tasks of my Van Room.

I've planted cypress trees around it so it wont bother the neighbors. (Another $200).

The toughest part is accepting that you can't have many posessions/ do-dads in the van. Keep the stuff minimal, and it is pretty comfortable.

Furniture: try just a big cushion that turns the bed into a couch.

Downsides?: You can't stand up in a mini van or standard van.

Questions:
I would like to insulate it further, both for winter and summer. It does get hot and cold. Other that fiberglass batt insulation, what would be good, and low cost?

posted in cheap shelter - 11 replies

Concrete pipe hotel

2007-10-21T05:54:44Z

This appears to be a cheap idea.

http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/06/25/dasparkhotel-made-from-pipes/

posted in cheap shelter - 11 replies

CORDWOOD

2007-09-19T16:46:19Z

ANYONE LOOKING FOR CORDWOOD CHECK OUT MY BOARD.ITS THE LARGEST ON THE NET. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cordwood

CORDWOODGUY
PS:I USE UPPERCASE LETTERS BECAUSE OF A VISUAL DISABILITY..SORRY!

posted in cheap shelter - 2 replies

Lifetime costs

2007-09-11T14:35:01Z

One part of the equations that I look at in cheap shelter is the cost of living in it. In particular heating in northern climates cooling in southern.

As far as heating costs since that is what I have experience with, you can end up building some really cheap shelter using conventional materials. Which means less hassle with building codes if you must file a building plan. I just put up a small cabin with passive solar heating that gets a nice 70+ in the dead of winter when it is 0 or below outside. You can pay for the place in the saving in heating in just a few years.

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

teardrop camper

2007-09-08T15:28:38Z

build your own. looks like a piece of cake to me.
http://www.asolidfoundation.com/index.shtml

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

gypsy wagons

2007-09-07T06:05:43Z

http://www.enslin.com/rae/gypsy/camps.htm

posted in cheap shelter - 2 replies

Papercrete

2007-09-04T15:12:01Z

http://papercrete.com/cheap.html

I don't know anything about it, but I'm interested.

posted in cheap shelter - 9 replies

hoophouse

2007-09-03T12:41:38Z

http://westsidegardener.com/howto/hoophouse.html

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

Thatching

2007-09-01T04:03:48Z

First, I'm back after a long time without an internet connection. I just got my new one installed tonight.

Does anyone know how to make a thatched roof? I can't for the life of me figure it out..

John

posted in cheap shelter - 2 replies

piece en piece

2007-08-23T21:46:47Z

another colonial french method of log building. it's main advantage was it used small pieces easily handles by a single person. http://www.log-world.com/article_piece_en_piece.php additionaly you can build with log scraps which are much less expensive. http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Home-Building/1988-11-01/A-Place-in-the-Woods.aspx theres a photo of a small dwelling in our album.

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

CULVERT shelter

2007-08-17T04:39:51Z

http://www.waltonfeed.com/old/cellar3.html

posted in cheap shelter - 3 replies

HUTS

2007-08-10T14:59:22Z

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.shepherd-hut.co.uk/images/hut_collage3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.shepherd-hut.co.uk/&h=310&w=350&sz=42&hl=en&start=20&tbnid=AeJdP3-rtpWVYM:&tbnh=106&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhut%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26newwindow%3D1%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

Free online books about self-sufficient homesteading, holistic agriculture, and holistic health

2007-07-21T21:43:28Z

check this site out for a lot of free AMAZING literature...it takes about one minute for a book to reach your email: http://www.soilandhealth.org/

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

portable cheap shelter

2007-05-28T19:01:23Z

http://www.teksupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&catalogId2=10001&ftCatalogId=10001&storeId=10001&langId=-1&division=TekSupply&searchMethod=wcSearch&searchType=ANY&searchBeginIndex=0&searchDefaultPerPage=10&ftSearchBeginIndex=0&ftSearchDefaultPerPage=10&partNumber=105593

http://www.teksupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&storeId=10001&langId=-1&division=TekSupply&productId=67259

http://www.teksupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?catalogId=10053&catalogId2=10001&ftCatalogId=10001&storeId=10001&langId=-1&division=TekSupply&searchMethod=wcSearch&searchType=ANY&searchBeginIndex=0&searchDefaultPerPage=10&ftSearchBeginIndex=0&ftSearchDefaultPerPage=10&searchQuery=clearspan

posted in cheap shelter - 2 replies

Primitive Living Storyteller in Olympia, WA on Tuesday May 15th!

2007-05-10T04:02:54Z

Surviving and Thriving,

on the Edge of Civilization:

~With Nikki van Schyndel~

Nikki van Schyndel, an accomplished herbalist, artist tracker, primitive artisan and author, spent a year and a half living off the land on a deserted island in British Columbia, and learning volumes from that living. What does it feel like to eat only what you have gathered or honorably hunted? What do you do if you hurt yourself and the closest telephone is a 10 mile row away? What does it feel like to live directly, in the moment, with only your abilities and attitude keeping you alive?

Nikki's experience is nearly unparralleled in our culture, and even so in the earth skillz field. Come learn from this amazing storyteller!

On Tuesday May 15 from 6 to 8pm, in Lecture Hall 5 at the Evergreen State College, Nikki will present breathtaking stories from her experience, and speak to what survival means in this day in age, and how we can incorporate living with the earth into our lifestyles: however we love to live. This event is $3 for students, $5 general admission, or an equivalent non-perishable food donation for Camp Quiote. For more info, e-mail cense@evergreen.edu or call 360-867-6784. For Map and Directions, look here: http://www.evergreen.edu/tour/gethere.htm

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

pre-formed concrete pipe

2007-04-27T19:58:09Z

Just ran across this tribe and thought it was pretty cool so I joined.

This might not be quite in keeping with the ideas here, I'm not sure, but I thought it was a pretty inovative idea that might be adapted.

http://www.stormbear.com/bagend2/index.php

posted in cheap shelter - 6 replies

rammed earth ( EARTHSHIP)

2007-04-25T13:25:24Z

earthship is cheap if you have free tires and free dirt.
http://www.earthship.org/nav/index.htm

posted in cheap shelter - 8 replies

katrina cottages

2007-04-18T02:41:38Z

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=2006_landing/Katrina_Cottage/KatrinaCottage.html

posted in cheap shelter - 8 replies

PIT HOUSE

2007-03-19T20:25:58Z

then theres the venerable PIT HOUSE
http://images.google.com/images?q=pithouse&btnG=Search&hl=en&gbv=2&newwindow=1&safe=off

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

underground house

2007-03-17T06:58:28Z

while searching for something else i found this interesting site. not actually an underground house though. it's more of a dug in with sod roof.
http://www.homestead.com/peaceandcarrots/pictures.html

posted in cheap shelter - 1 reply

X-Post: Sustainable Love?

2007-03-06T17:34:42Z

After much searching, to no avail, I created the following tribe:

http://tribes.tribe.net/survivalistlove

Hopefully, membership will be plentiful enough to keep it going. C'mon people! It's worth a shot right? Match.com can't tell you this attribute of a potential mate.

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

LONGHOUSE

2007-02-23T03:09:15Z

the longhouse was used by many cultures when a cheap shelter was needed for severe climates.
http://images.google.com/images?q=longhouse&gbv=2&ndsp=20&svnum=10&hl=en&newwindow=1&safe=off&start=0&sa=N

posted in cheap shelter - 1 reply

Homeless Marathon - National Radio

2007-02-19T21:18:07Z

Some of the people that really need "cheap housing ideas" are the homeless.

The tenth annual "Homeless Marathon",
(a nationally broadcast radio show, hundreds of stations)
Will be broadcast February 20th & February 21st, 2007
For stations and toll free phone number, see
http://www.homelessnessmarathon.org/

Having affordable (cheap) housing is one thing.
Making an "acceptable community" out of it is another.
In reference, please see:>

The Criminalization of Homelessness;
A Problem Becoming A Solution
(Violent crime reduced 90% with a "Tent City" in Richmond CA.)
http://www.angelfire.com/hi/soberskidrow/parkh.html
Or just Google "homeless criminalization homeland".

The following excerpt has reference material as active
links, at the above report:

Excerpt:

A mobile homeless community could "share crop" (hr2, hr3:) on public
land (to help off set costs too). Funding could be split with Emergency
Services and Homeland Security because a Mobile Community has the
"infrastructure" of the basic kitchen, showers and toilets (hr4, hr4b, hr4c)
to "serve the community in an emergency". The very basic's for this and
it's "self-governing structure are shown with Seattle's "Tent City" a mobile
homeless camp", Dignity Village (in Portland, Or hs1 ) and Justiceville
"Dome City" in LA (hs2).

Blessings,

The Toxic Reverend
aka Tom Krohmer
About myself:
Santa Rosa California Press Democrat newspaper
(slanted) interview posted my rebuttal to the "slant", at
http://www.angelfire.com/hi/soberskidrow/rasb.html

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

Geodesic Domes from Pacific Dome

2007-02-14T23:40:54Z

Hi All,

Steve (the Moderator) asked me to tell you about my geodesic dome.

Last year I wished to create a portable structure at my home site with an ocean view. I wanted portable as I will someday build a permanent structure (when I get the time, $$ and energy)...yet still wished to enjoy the wonderful spot in a protected environment. After looking at yurts (I find the lattice work like being in jail) and Sweetwater cabins (nice sleeping spot)...and decided on a Pacific Dome after speaking with their owner, Asha Deliverance.

Asha shared with me Bucky's vision of sacred geometry as well as practical points...it's a windy spot and domes can withstand winds up to 135 mph...and she encouraged me to go a little crazy some coloring of the dome cover.

I use this space for fun as well as a massage sacred space (I have a business, DreamView Dome where I offer LaStone Therapy and Reflexology here on the Mendocino Coast of California). From the dome, I can see phenomenal views toward the distance ocean through a beautiful heavy-duty clear vinyl bay window. It's like your in your jetson mobile close to the land...hovering...and checking out an amazing view.

One needs to build a good platform and work with their tech team if you want a regular door (cannot imagine using anything but) for an entrance. There are screens in the package, so you can pop out the clear vinyl windows in the summer and pull up some base windows and put in your screening. I consider the dome a very elegant fort from my childhood days.

I heat the dome with a kerosene monitor heater and cool it with a temp controlled solar fan.

The platform I built has a 2x12 redwood kick board to lift up the dome and provide a nice finish. Laminate flooring cover the subfloor.

It IS a three season structure (at least to sleep in at night after the sun goes down) as it's a very nice tent. Remember tent. One can add installation (they offer packages), but that would take away from the fabulous light coming in through the purple star at the top of my dome skin. Wow!

If you have any questions about DreamView Dome, be sure to contact me here.

Best,

Laurel at DreamView Dome

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

Sand Bags!

2007-01-30T19:54:59Z

http://www.calearth.org/

posted in cheap shelter - 3 replies

straw bale

2007-01-30T05:56:40Z

post you're comments here

posted in cheap shelter - 1 reply

INHABITAT

2007-01-17T21:55:24Z

this should keep you from getting cabin fever
http://www.inhabitat.com/sustainablebuilding.php

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

concrete canvas

2007-01-17T21:53:38Z

concrete impregnated canvas. inflate it and wet it and let dry to concrete shelter
http://www.concretecanvas.org.uk/

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

post in ground

2007-01-16T04:34:15Z

post it here

posted in cheap shelter - 1 reply

PLYDOMES

2007-01-12T15:48:51Z

this is the way buckmeinster fuller ( the father of domes) patented in 1959 meant domes to be made. can't get any simpler.
http://www.sover.net/~triorbtl/index.htm

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

Assorted Recycled Objects and Materials?

2007-01-11T01:44:17Z

This link features recycled materials used to make a greenhouse, but the idea could be adapted to other shelters. Read all the way down, to the comments below, for other ideas.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/alabgard/msg0122480626090.html

Steve, I just REALLY like this tribe concept (and want to keep it alive !!), so I hope you don't mind me peppering the board with threads and posts here. :)

posted in cheap shelter - 3 replies

trailerable houseboat

2006-12-30T17:38:11Z

My dilemma, wanderlust. Any thoughts or experience on building a trailerable (18 ft) houseboat and sinking some moorings? This versus liveaboard in a sailboat, or building a raft with house like the neutrinos. After much soul searching I am heading in this direction with a five year plan to make it happen. Some houseboat building plans available online, looking at the delta Q.

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

Wood Pallets

2006-12-05T10:38:57Z

A forum where members chatted about what they built out of wood pallets.
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/frugal/msg1109335914191.html?61

And this one, with great pics of pallet sheds and barns.
Check out the photo of the doghouse made from pallets and a discarded satellite dish.
http://summerville-novascotia.com/PalletShed/

posted in cheap shelter - 3 replies

Building Tarps, wood.

2006-11-25T14:23:42Z

I just wanted to point out something that may be of interest to someone sometime. If you live near lumber producing areas, or a large lumber yard, or other places... you can get lumber tarps that are 50 ft long and 20 ft wide. They are used to cover lumber on big trucks and train cars. These end up with holes and are thrown away. These can be of course reused for anything you could use huge tarps for, although the fall apart and cause a mess, you can keep this to a min.

There is a way to roll these up like a big joint and then use them to wrap a Tipi much like the way birch bark can be use to cover a tipi, this works great. ALso for a roof you wrap them up like a big doobie and lay them over each other... when you use these tarps they are better off tied down rather than nails, and the layers in the doobie will also work well for siding, and the air inside these pockets will insulate well.

Let me know if you would like to know about these tarps or places I know where to get them in BC.

posted in cheap shelter - 4 replies

Tiny Houses

2006-11-01T09:31:12Z

Link to Amazon's reviews of "Tiny Houses" book
http://www.amazon.ca/Tiny-Houses-Lester-Walker/dp/customer-reviews/0879512717

Some of these qualify as Cheap Shelter
http://www.tinyhouses.net/index.htm

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

2-story skoolie dwelling, greenhouse, or...?

2006-10-31T05:33:14Z

This is cross-posted from the "Skoolie" tribe. I figured it fit here too, and maybe someone here had some ideas... .

I've always been intrigued with those redneck "2-story" structures that are made of something-weird-sittin-on-top-of-something-else. You know, a mobile home (excuse me, I mean "trailer") sitting on top of a house, a car or other vehicle stuck on top of a structure to form a 2nd floor, even cars welded onto giant signs or to the roof of the building to advertise junk yards, etc. Haven't seen many of 'em, ever (maybe a couple of dozen in my lifetime) but they always make me laugh, and I really do appreciate the ingenuity as well as the overall "F*%$ you if you don't like my taste!" mindset. Over the years this fondness has evolved into a plan, i.e. "I think I might do one of those". I like the idea of art-meets-recycling-meets-dwelling. I liked school buses as a kid, and have always wanted to own one. Somehow the notion of climbing up some steps to get to a "school bus room", with a view of the trees, and all those windows... . Makes perfect sense to me. :0

Seems like an older bus would be great as a 2nd floor art studio, sunroom/plant room, meditation room etc. [I have a secluded spot for it, and what-the-neighbors-think is a non-issue, as are building codes, I think---- they'll never know it's there]. For whatever idiosyncratic reason, I prefer that my future skoolie be "up high" rather than just sitting on the ground (I know, I know, whatever I can do to make my life more difficult....). The idea is for the first floor area to be storage, or maybe open (sort of like a carport or shed), or maybe enclosed. That part of the plan is flexible. Whether the bottom floor served as another full room (fully enclosed), or was sort of open-patio-like, etc, the main focus of the structure would be the bus, accessible via a short set of stairs. I'm thinking that the bus would only need to be raised enough for minimal headroom underneath (7-8 feet would be just fine), and for it to feel like it was truly "off the ground" a bit.

Anyone ever see anything like this anywhere? What sort of foundation/structure could I set the bus on for this purpose? How much would an average size bus weigh, minus engine, transmission, axles (?), and tires? 70 to 80 foot mobile homes are routinely set pretty high in the air (4-5 feet is not uncommon) on nothing more than unsecured stacks of cinder blocks. They're tied down via a few metal straps anchored into the ground. Yes, they blow all over hell in tornadoes and hurricanes, but so do lots of other structures...and I'm not in tornado country. I envision welding the bus into some sort of framework that's anchored to the ground, or mortaring it's base into something...? There must be a fairly easy and totally safe way to do this...yes?

I see buses going for $350--$700 all the time on Ebay-- running. If I don't need the bus to run or to even have an engine, I'm sure I could get one ultra-cheap. How much do you think it would cost to get it hauled? Do rollbacks handle these things? Of course, there's the matter of getting a crane to set it, but I recently found out there's a crane service near me. Surely it's be a straightforward job, a no-brainer for a crane crew.

Ok, feel free to poke holes in this idea, or tell me what would/wouldn't work. I'd also love to see any pics you may have of these sorts of oddball objects made into 2nd story structures. :)

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

Storm Safe Eco-housing

2006-04-03T09:52:20Z

I am interested in cheap, independant shelter, but I have one issue that I haven't seen addressed here.

A tornado ripped through my city last November. It killed 22 people. Even if I were living someplace where tornadoes are not a concern, I would still want a sturdy shelter during storms.

Maybe something partially underground, or a storm cellar which can be used to store supplies?

posted in cheap shelter - 1 reply

the ROUNDHOUSE

2006-03-23T21:25:54Z

this is hard to beat. labor intensive though. but substantial structure for cheap.
http://website.lineone.net/~tonywrench/index.htm

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

indigenous building

2006-03-12T19:23:21Z

http://www.dwf.org/en/t_indigenous.htm

posted in cheap shelter - 1 reply

bender tents.........

2006-03-08T03:07:34Z

here is an interesting low cost shelter .....the frame is made from saplings that are easily collected and a covering of blankets and tarps....

www.devon.gov.uk/index/learning/pupil_support/travellers_education/services-2/ta_images/bender_tent.htm

here is a community in the UK which is using them for shelter......also check out the links at the bottom of the page....

http://www.stewardwood.org/

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

biosphere

2006-03-06T03:18:25Z

for those who are building self-sufficient habitats
http://www.orbit6.com/celss/

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

domes

2006-03-05T16:45:52Z

all domes here

posted in cheap shelter - 4 replies

buried bus

2006-03-05T13:41:24Z

buses are cheap. especially skoolies. the FARM ( steven gaskins) used them initially by berming them and leaving southside open and attaching greenhouse for passive solar. you wouldn't have to be as dramatic as these folks
http://www.webpal.org/webpal/d_resources/arktwo/photoconstruct/photocon.htm
just remove running gear and set it down on crossties, cover windows with treated ply, cover entire thing with plastic and bury. this would work great out in the desert where they build earthships etc. visualize several of them in a circle with the rear doors pointing to center and radiating outwards. big commons in the middle with big pool in center. cover skoolies up except leave ends protruding. or maybe in the shape of an octagon, end to end.

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

verticle log

2006-03-04T16:46:22Z

post here

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies

cheap shelter

2006-03-04T16:38:38Z

plydomes are great too. i'll have to put them in the photo album.
http://www.sover.net/~triorbtl/index1.html this is the way bucky patented it.

posted in cheap shelter - 0 replies