Any earthships in ireland?

jripper · 28-11-2012 09:45PM #1

As the title suggests; does anyone know of anyone who has built an earthship in ireland? I have been researching them over the last month (basically watching documentaries

) and find them a fascinating concept.

I am definitely going to build one as we have a decent amount of land back home in the wesht and i'm sure my dad would give me a lot. They are beautiful homes and so cheap in the long run.

The problem is i can't find anyone who has built one in ireland, there's none in cloughjordan eco village as far as i could ascertain. I would love to have a look at one in ireland as i'm curious as to how they would fair in the wet climate, would they need a foundation in wet soil, is there problems with irish planning permission and so on.

So if you know of anyone please let me know as i would love have a look.

Thanks!

jripper · 28-11-2012 11:24PM

Is it likely that this isn't possible due to building regulations? I'll start a thread in the architecture section to see. If it's illegal, i'm going to strangle a politician!

jripper · 28-11-2012 11:33PM

Any information from those who would be in the know about building regulations and the law surrounding them.
I'm starting to doubt that it's even legal.

Any thoughts on this? Would one legally allowed to construct a building without hooking up to the electrical/water grids? Where can i find planning permission regulations to research this further?

Any information is greatly appreciated.

BryanF · 28-11-2012 11:38PM

Hold on a second there. This is a technology / approach that must show compliance with building regs that's all. Op I'm not aware of any in ireland. Theres a few in the uk and France more in Arizona but I never really thought a true tyre earth ship would be built in a bog in the west

There is one I know of in south Kilkenny but I think there was more concrete than rubber in the retaining wall structure.
Your next step is a creative architect and structural engineer.

If this is a green mission have you considered strawbale or hemplime?

overshoot · 29-11-2012 01:18AM

dont think there are any in ireland. iv been to one in zwolle, holland which doesnt really work as it is supposed to... its definitely not self sufficient but i think there were other problems. although as a tool for raising awareness a point could be made for its success but it isnt a private house and part of a larger complex with eco intentions.
would need to take another look at them but i have in my head that they were designed for much warmer and dryer climates and havnt been adapted to here properly. there are some in the uk so seeing how they perform would be important, moisture seems to be one of the main problems
also pretty sure Reynolds has some claim to the term earthship and doesnt come cheap (brand=price

) so you may not be building one of them officially! probably a good thing, i think they said in zwolle anyway that he didnt really allow any adaptation of the design which by the looks of it will be necessary to make them durable

jripper · 29-11-2012 01:21AM

Thanks for the reply Bryan. Yup, tyre houses in the bog, this is happening!

I'm interested in tyre construction as it would be cheap (free?), while the inner walls could be made of glass bottles/cans and yes i would ideally like to use hemp crete and plaster in conjunction with the tyre build.

What i'd really like to know is if it's true about the tyres acting as a thermal regulator, with the ability to absorb cold/release heat. The ones i saw were built in new mexico where it's pretty hot and the lowest winter temperatures are around -1 but yet they said they didn't need to use a fire during the winter. If it's -1 throughout the winter i don't see where the heat could be coming from to justify not using a fire.

So i'm also interested in how it would perform in the irish winter. I'd just really like to go and see one and ask the owner about its performance.

I'll have a look for the ones in england and see if i can get in contact with the owners, thanks.

Mellor · 29-11-2012 01:22AM

I've merged your thread in Arch Tech to this one. There's no need for two, building regs can thrashed out here just as easily. It's a rare enough topic, so best to keep any info we pull together in one place.
I'll also, tidy up a few posts to avoid confusion.

jripper · 29-11-2012 01:30AM

Thanks so much for the reply. Are you suggesting there could be a kind of patent issue? You're getting at my exact fear, that he is just pushing the concept in the name of his own financial or egocentric interests and not listing any faults. Although he did say there were faults early on, i'm thinking that if i gathered information on the most effective construction methods i could implement these.

I curious about heating issues, sufficient electricity from solar panels, the need for a foundation and the use of plants to process sewage (does it stink?)

I gotta go to bed right now but i'll do some research in the coming days and get back.

Toodle-ooh

Mellor · 29-11-2012 01:42AM

jripper wrote: »

Any thoughts on this? Would one legally allowed to construct a building without hooking up to the electrical/water grids? Where can i find planning permission regulations to research this further?

There's no reason why you could build a hosue off the grid. There are plenty of areas in ireland not serviced by power, water, sewers.

As for construction type, as long as it met the requirements for a house, which is basically that it stands, and it fit for purpose.

Finally, there's the issue of planning. Each LA will have a different opinion, but they should in general be more lenient towards low energy homes in areas such as appearance.

overshoot wrote: »

also pretty sure Reynolds has some claim to the term earthship and doesnt come cheap (brand=price) so you may not be building one of them officially! probably a good thing,

Doesn't stop any body copying the construction type. The name is silly any way.

Maudi · 29-11-2012 01:44AM

jripper wrote: »

Is it likely that this isn't possible due to building regulations? I'll start a thread in the architecture section to see. If it's illegal, i'm going to strangle a politician!

why wait to see if its illegal?

beyondpassive · 29-11-2012 12:15PM

There's an earth ship project in Wicklow. Built by a couple I know of from Mountain running. They had a type of barn raising day, where they invited people to help with the tyre retaining wall and put on food, beers and music. I've seen earth ship projects in the US and while the priciples are good, they seem a bit suited to crafty types, your 'dogs on a string' type of person. The crescent shaped floor plan is very limiting. If you like natural builds look at the Mud and wood house in Sligo, if you like buildings that respond to site and sunpath, then talk to a registered Architect or the rare Technologist with design skills.

overshoot · 30-11-2012 01:00AM

Mellor wrote: »

Doesn't stop any body copying the construction type. The name is silly any way.

why i said officially in my post;) plenty of "earthbuilds" cropped up on the quick google i did to refresh my memory! (agreed on the crap name though!)

as i mentioned before on the issues they were originally designed for dryer climates and i think moisture has been a problem in some areas... and lets face it it will probably be worse here.
also seen some bringing up issues of toxins from the tyres used. again though i havnt got around to having a proper look into it but just have them in my head. best to be as sure as possible about these things before you start. wouldnt mind taking another look at these things myself but it will be another few days

BryanF · 01-12-2012 12:01AM

jripper wrote: »

What i'd really like to know is if it's true about the tyres acting as a thermal regulator, with the ability to absorb cold/release heat.

The ones i saw were built in new mexico where it's pretty hot and the lowest winter temperatures are around -1 but yet they said they didn't need to use a fire during the winter. If it's -1 throughout the winter i don't see where the heat could be coming from to justify not using a fire.

So i'm also interested in how it would perform in the irish winter. I'd just really like to go and see one and ask the owner about its performance.

yes they will thermal regulate the internal temp, but you will require insulation and tanking system + ventilation strategy and heat source
their climate is different, you'll see homes there that can achieve true 'passive' solar living. this does not really apply in Ireland. heating for some portion of the year is generally necessary
I've seen rammed earth act as a thermal buffer, just like many of our concrete homes do. the irish ground temp will stay at a reason temp of circa 10deg, which is great but you need insulation to retain a regular 21deg internal temp. earth buildings are great and you may not need to go underground to gain the benefits.

jripper · 02-12-2012 05:05PM

Ok i'm back, thank you all so much for the replies. So, not to appear incredibly fickle or anything but the earthship-esque building idea is going to be abandoned. The single retaining wall was a concern as it really limits the shape and may not provide the desired amount of heat in our climate.

So i have been reading up on cob and just found it to be such a beautiful and malleable building style. The advantages of this as i see it are that all the materials are local, all the walls are thermally retentive as opposed to one in the earthship, and i could build a two story! It is also much more aesthetically pleasing in my opinion and all the self sufficiency concepts of the earthship could still be implemented (grey water management, solar panels, rainwater collection).

So now the question is; does anybody know of any cob houses in ireland? There's none in cloughjordan, although they do teach a cob course.. A quick google search doesn't reveal any either, i'll try a more extensive one later.

I got my hands on a copy of 'the hand sculpted house' which is keeping me fed with information in the mean time, i'd still like to witness a cob house in action though.

deegs2 · 17-09-2013 10:51AM

So....whats the outcome on this board about building an earth ship, eco house, mud hut, what ever name we give it for the Irish version of an off the grid house and if possible property tax free....myself and the wife are of the opinion that Ireland no longer has anything left to offer us...so if we can't build one of these here and be left alone..which country do we pick in the EU to move to..for good...?? Our country is a sorry place ... RIP Ireland

BryanF · 17-09-2013 12:31PM

deegs2 wrote: »

So....whats the outcome on this board about building an earth ship, eco house, mud hut, what ever name we give it for the Irish version of an off the grid house and if possible property tax free....myself and the wife are of the opinion that Ireland no longer has anything left to offer us...so if we can't build one of these here and be left alone..which country do we pick in the EU to move to..for good...?? Our country is a sorry place ... RIP Ireland

Move down into Ballygoery/Moonveen, grand and peaceful down there, you could do a bit fishing and you're sure to get a little mud cottage for say 50k

(i presume you didn't want a serious answer? on the multitude of types of homes that can be build 'off grid'; an opinion on what Ireland has to offer you; whether you will be left alone; which country to move to; or is Ireland with o'leary in the grave)

deegs2 · 17-09-2013 12:54PM

I live at ballygorey/mooveen,corluddy

deegs2 · 17-09-2013 01:00PM

are you from around here? Bryan f

BryanF · 17-09-2013 02:02PM

deegs2 wrote: »

are you from around here? Bryan f

NOoooo!!:pac:

seriously though. if you head out the Bog road, over behind Kildalton and take the road up hill, heading towards Tempelorum, you'll see an earth-ship type home on the right

Nearly~November · 23-02-2014 07:11PM

Hi jripper - and also to the other posters here..I know I'm a little late to the party...but these topics are so thin on the ground online re:Ireland it's hard to find them!

I'm studying natural building myself and can also recommend the Cob Builders Handbook by Becky Bee, it's worth a look and the information is a little less "hippy-dippy" than in Ianto Evans' Hand Sculpted House (which is a good book, don't get me wrong!) Here's a link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Cob-Builders-Handbook-Hand-sculpt/dp/0965908208

I think someone has already mentioned the Cob & strawbale house in Sligo built by "Mud & Wood" - i.e. Feile & Colin... There is another in Co. Clare at the Boghill centre, and I was fairly sure there is also a Cob house in Cloughjordan? I myself am originally from Donegal (though currently am living in East Sussex, UK) and am hoping to find a suitable spot in the North West - Leitrim/Sligo/Donegal area to be able to build my own off-grid handmade house.

I'd love hear more about your plans, OP - and also to connect/share ideas with anyone who has similar interests?

Cheers!
S.

dinnyirwin · 23-02-2014 07:24PM

Only saw this thread now.

I was driving in Carlow a few years ago and stopped off for a slash. I saw a load of people building an earth ship and went in for a gawk.
I was talking to the guy and he said while it wasnt legal or he didnt get planning and whatnot, he was going to live in it. His parents lived in the house and had about 5 acres and he built this earthship to live in on their land. And he was going to hook up water and electricity from the main house.
I cant remember how much he said it was costing him but less than €5000 comes to mind.
He advertised on the internet to get people to come down who camped there and worked for just their food and the experience.
Great idea. It was near Myshall in Carlow if i recall correctly.

Nearly~November · 23-02-2014 07:30PM

dinnyirwin wrote: »

I was driving in Carlow a few years ago and stopped off for a slash. I saw a load of people building an earth ship and went in for a gawk.

Talk about being in the right place at the right time!

dinnyirwin wrote: »

He advertised on the internet to get people to come down who camped there and worked for just their food and the experience.
Great idea.

This is how the majority of hand-built houses are raised; I think in many cases people are simply keen to get hands-on experience with this sort of thing - not least as in places like Ireland they are so far & few between. I'm actually heading to do this myself in Norfolk in May!

Sarhen · 25-02-2014 02:51PM

Hey so i really want to build an earthship.. im in galway.. anyone know where I start.. does it have to be built into a hill? Do I start gathering the material I need now? Any advice would be greatly appreciated thankyou!

dinnyirwin · 25-02-2014 11:50PM

I thik first you need the land and be aware that you cant class it as a dwelling, so you'll be living off the grid if you want to live in it. The one I saw he had bulldozed all of the earth up to make the hill that he was building it into.

LCRS · 26-02-2014 01:37PM

Getting into the cob stuff recently too. It looks amazing and if you were to plan it right, could be very cheap. Get a site. Live in a mobile home while the house is being built. Cob houses are a slow build especially if your going to do all the work yourself. I am currently working on a design for a cob cottage for me and the missus. The idea being is to get together a comprehensive design and spec and meet the local planner to see if this idea would ever even fly. The couple in Sligo had problems with U-values. The U-value system works fine for some materials but not so well for cob as it does not take into account it's thermal mass properties. Even a 600mm cob wall is still above the recommended U-value rating for exterior walls.

The new building regulations starting in March is going to seriously hamper anyone considering building their own house (legally). Now the house must be built by a certified and accredited builder with at least 3 years experience as the principal of a building firm - so if you thought you wanted to build your own house with your own hands then you better be a qualified builder. Irish peoples right to build their own house has been taken away but you can more than happily buy that right back after paying all the "suits" to sign off on your project.

Nearly~November · 26-02-2014 02:03PM

LCRS wrote: »

Getting into the cob stuff recently too. It looks amazing and if you were to plan it right, could be very cheap. Get a site. Live in a mobile home while the house is being built. Cob houses are a slow build especially if your going to do all the work yourself. I am currently working on a design for a cob cottage for me and the missus. The idea being is to get together a comprehensive design and spec and meet the local planner to see if this idea would ever even fly. The couple in Sligo had problems with U-values. The U-value system works fine for some materials but not so well for cob as it does not take into account it's thermal mass properties. Even a 600mm cob wall is still above the recommended U-value rating for exterior walls.

You're absolutely right - Cob, though ancient and when built correctly extremely reliable really gets a bad rap...and many aspects as you rightly say are not considered, sadly.

I'm heading on a Cob building course here in the UK in May, as I desperately want to find a wee site back home in Ireland ...but....

LCRS wrote: »

The new building regulations starting in March is going to seriously hamper anyone considering building their own house (legally). Now the house must be built by a certified and accredited builder with at least 3 years experience as the principal of a building firm - so if you thought you wanted to build your own house with your own hands then you better be a qualified builder. Irish peoples right to build their own house has been taken away but you can more than happily buy that right back after paying all the "suits" to sign off on your project.

...this makes me want to cry!

Sigh...so, those of us who have had to leave for financial reasons are being stopped from coming back, re-settling in Ireland and contributing to our beleaguered country...

I'm currently based in the South East of England, and finding it hard to glean up-to-date relevant information on these sorts of regulations and laws in Ireland...I would really love to keep up to date with your process, though LCRS - I'm a few years off even beginning my build (or maybe more if that laws hampers everything!) and would love to learn from your experiences!

Cheers,
S

LCRS · 26-02-2014 03:18PM

We would also be a couple of years off but I am putting that down to the trouble I see getting permission. If that wasn't the case I would be starting tomorrow. All the same there are plenty of people living happily in homes they built without planning but the way things are going that may not be an option anymore for anyone. Be grand if you had a few acres of forest and built in the middle!

Nearly~November · 26-02-2014 04:06PM

LCRS wrote: »

...All the same there are plenty of people living happily in homes they built without planning...

But it would be such a risk to go down that route.... and besides...nosey neighbours/planners would surely see to it that *GASP* someone can't - nay won't be benefiting from their own hard work on land they purchased!? :P

LCRS wrote: »

...Be grand if you had a few acres of forest and built in the middle!

This is the general advice of many low-impact building/sustainability organisations - such as "Field to Farm" here in the UK - and apply for retro-permission; especially if you plan to grow food/raise animals to live off, as you can then prove that they are your livelihood, and you need to therefore live on-site.

It makes me sad to think that Ireland's regulators and lawmakers are using the catastrophic horror that was the building boom to stifle more sustainable endeavours and solutions in the future.

Whereabouts are you thinking you'd like to build?

upnorthy · 12-07-2014 01:08AM

Gas from sewage can work...seen an old asian guy on Russia Today getting all his gas from a pig he kept...just had a hole in the middle of a yard that he scraped its crap into.

christopherb · 09-12-2014 12:40PM

dinnyirwin wrote: »

I thik first you need the land and be aware that you cant class it as a dwelling, so you'll be living off the grid if you want to live in it. The one I saw he had bulldozed all of the earth up to make the hill that he was building it into.

This sounds like I can just buy a bit of land and slap a cob house on it, or an earthship and live there. It can't be that simple lol.

So does anybody know the implications?, Let's say we bought a chunk of land, and wanted for all intense and purposes to build an off grid dwelling out of cob/tires/straw and bit's of twigs, grow our own veg and live in it until we died.

ie. Can the local council just come and bury us in our sleep(after all we we're a bit cheeky, we didn't get planning permission) as they knock it all down with bulldozers.

Or can we stand at the front gate and stick our fingers up at the official's, while proclaiming to be eco-warriors?

Can we really get away with this? Surely not. I'll be on daft this afternoon if we can. lol

sydthebeat · 09-12-2014 12:51PM

christopherb wrote: »

This sounds like I can just buy a bit of land and slap a cob house on it, or an earthship and live there. It can't be that simple lol.

So does anybody know the implications?, Let's say we bought a chunk of land, and wanted for all intense and purposes to build an off grid dwelling out of cob/tires/straw and bit's of twigs, grow our own veg and live in it until we died.

ie. Can the local council just come and bury us in our sleep(after all we we're a bit cheeky, we didn't get planning permission) as they knock it all down with bulldozers.

Or can we stand at the front gate and stick our fingers up at the official's, while proclaiming to be eco-warriors?

Can we really get away with this? Surely not. I'll be on daft this afternoon if we can. lol

if you use it as a house, it needs planning permission.

simple as that.

Any earthships in ireland?

Comments