where can I find ideas/plans for self-contained eco-friendly cabins?

Question

I want to build a small self-contained, self sustaining cabin made with recycled materials such as tires, and incorporating things like a sod roof and other green materials

Answer 1

With all due respect; while I uphold the notion of recycling; especially in NOT burning tires; I can't see them as part of Mud filled walls.

I have dozens, out of the Hundreds of sites available through the WWW that offer examples of multiple types of construction; most all are FRIENDLY, no matter their materials.

Self sustaining is probably a "relative" word.

Methods are probably as varied as any I might relate here, and in part, dependant on where you are.

A couple examples would certainly include Log structures, COB built; cross cut log ends CHINKED; etc. What might also be an issue is whether or not you want a year round situation and how you'll endure environmental changes and effects.

Without question your notion is totally valid; and I hope you sustain it. Finding the means, and creating the dwelling are more the challenge.

Steven Wolf

On a light hearted note; I might enjoy a MUD house, with a SOD roof; but my dillema in that might be...Do I pray for RAIN, or pray for NO rain?

Answer 2

You probably won't find plans anywhere for something like this. Since so many of the things that you want to do to it are dependent upon what area/climate you are building in, there wouldn't be much of a library of set plans. You may want to contact an architect that is LEED certified. The following website has the complete list: http://www.usgbc.org/myUSGBC/Members/MembersDirectory.aspx?CategoryID=2&CMSPageID=140