This Earthbag house is a small retreat with a fireplace and enough space for two. We call it the Hobbit house. It was made with jute and polypropylene sacks, some from the neighbouring farmer. Built by volunteers in approx. 3 months (average 4 people) and cost approx 2,000 GBP. The roof is a dome made entirely out of bags filled with earth ‘Earthbags’. These bags are filled with slightly damp soil and well tamped. The wall becomes a type of rammed earth structure with the bags as permanent forms to contain the earth. Once the walls are built they are plastered to protect the bags from the UV. We used lime plaster on the interior below ground level and 30cm above ground on the outside, and earthen plaster above. Because of the damp climate, the whole dome once constructed and plastered, was covered with shingled roof.

For more information about earthbag construction see Paulina's book Building with Earth - A Guide to Flexible Form Earthbag Construction. You can see more of Paulina and Jarema's work on their website Earth Hands and Houses .