My future house, can this be possible?

Question

Everyone seems to make the house the normal way, just bedrooms, closets, bathroom, kitchen, etc... But I don't want a house like this, I want my house to have MORE THINGS! A house that dosn't depends of the water and electrical service or depending of the grocery store service!, I don't know if this can be possible, any idea? Here are mines:

It will be a subteranean house, will have its own garden (Inside the house, a HUGE room with a especial roof) There will be fruits trees and vegetals! There will be solar panels and 2 water tanks (those will depend of rain and subteranean water) It can also re-use the used water, cleaned and than use it again!

The laundry will be inside, the cloth will dry INSIDE the house, there will be a library and a huge room to stock food and stuff for any future need, a air cleaner, the air that come INSIDE the house will be cleaned etc etc and also it will have a pond for fish etc... Any ideas? can this be possible or is to much fantasy?

Answer 1

I have been looking into this as well. The only problem I see with your plan is that you will not have enough space inside your home to grow enough vegetables to live off of. There is also the issue of pollination.

I would suggest that you have a green roof on your proposed home for your gardening. That way, your garden can get all the sunlight and access to bees that it needs and you can have as big a space as you need to supply yourself with food. Any root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, radishes, turnips, and the like can be grown inside and leafy greens like lettuces, spinach, radichio and mustard as well, but things like beans, tomatoes, squash, corn, peas, and any fruits like strawberries and blueberries, and all tree fruits will need to be outside.

Use your gray water from the sink drains to water your gardening beds inside with a drain that flows into an aquarium with freshwater game fish. The soil from the garden will filter it before it goes into the tank so it shouldn't hurt the fish. I would start with channel catfish in the tank to start with just to be sure.

Be prepared for a substantial startup cost on this type of house. It will be worth it in the long run on energy savings alone but the equipment doesn't come cheap.

Good luck

Answer 2

Hi,
The Earth Ships that Michael Reynolds has been building in Taos and around the world would meet most of your requirements.
They catch all the water they use on the roof, and store it in cisterns. No small feat in Taos with 8 inches of rain a year.
They treat and recycle both grey and black water -- no sewage or waste water leaves these homes.
They are solar heated, and generate their own electricity.

They have a large garden along the south (glazed) wall of the house.

They require no connections to a water system, sewer system, or the electricity grid.


They are not completely underground, but all except the south exposure is buried or bermed.

And, they are built with earth and old tires -- so they even help to get rid of the old tire problem. It may sound like a house made from earth and tires would be unattractive, but they are really quite nice, with natural plastered walls similar to a strawbale home. They can be owner built, but its not a small project.

They are also very nice to live in -- we spent two days in one last year. My only small complaint is that the one we stayed in seemed a bit dark on the north (away from the sun) side, but I think this is a personal thing -- I like a lot of light. They can also be designed to provide more sun daylighting.

I've collected some information on EarthShips -- its here:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SolarHomes/Earthship/Earthship.htm
Just a place to get started -- there is lots more out there.

Reynolds sells a series of books on his EarthShip designs at EarthShip central:
http://www.earthship.net/

More on other types of homes that might meet some of your goals:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SolarHomes/solarhomes.htm


Gary

Answer 3

This can be done, but you would definitely need to talk to a builder/contractor/architect about making some modifications. Most plants don't grow very well in limited sunlight, so you may want to go ahead and put your full sun plants outside. Also, the pond will need some light, as well, to encourage algae growth, which your fish can feed off of.

For additional ideas, check out the TV show "Extreme Homes" on HGTV. Many creative people have their unusual and innovative housing ideas showcased on the show, and you may be inspired!

Answer 4

Absolutely, Check back on Smithsonian Magazine several years ago. A movement started to creat 'biospheres' Homes totally integrated to the land they were on. Some great research was done, and several homes actually built out west.

Everything you list is feasable, and can be incorporated into a design.

Answer 5

Yes it is very possible, however you have to have the land and the funds to do all you are talking about. To be comfortable, but it can be done. Dont give up your dreams, just try and take things one step at a time.

Answer 6

It is possible. There is a house is Fresno, Ca that has most of what you want in your home. It is called the Underground Gardens. I understand that it is quite functional and pretty neat.

Answer 7

It's possible but expensive. Here's a thought on power wind and have you seen the new furnaces that make steam and produces no smoke. You can burn just about anything in them and you could hook it up to make power! Just a thought!

Answer 8

Yes this is possible to have. But, it would be hard to build. Also, people might get loss trying to find your house but, anything is possible.

Answer 9

It is possible, but expensive. Save up and maby you can buy some land and build a custom house.
:)

Answer 10

I would rather be able to live above ground like a human. Not underground like a mole.

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