Shelter materials and construction techniques.
In this episode of Occupy the Land, we dive into our Arizona desert homestead as we plan the floor layout for our utility dome, marking spots for outlets, USB chargers, dimming switches, and a lofted bedroom. We detail the kitchen, dining, and bathroom-laundry areas while prepping the house pad with soil from our sand pond […]
In this episode of Occupy the Land, we dive into a busy morning on our Arizona desert homestead! We prep for another concrete pour and lay a new layer of earthbags around our utility dome, focusing on reinforcing doorframes with cement-heavy mixes for durability. Meanwhile, Donna tackles laundry on our clothesline, where the desert heat […]
In this episode of Occupy the Land, a powerful half-hour thunderstorm hits our Arizona desert property, giving us a chance to test our water management plans! We showcase how we channel monsoon waters into our sand pond and compost ditches, preparing for future gardening and soil projects. From assessing drainage channels to managing berms and […]
In this episode of Occupy the Land, we make strides on our off-grid dome by completing half the concrete floor pour for the laundry-bathroom area, keeping it moist to cure in the Arizona heat. We prep for the next pour while tackling errands in town, including exchanging boards and fixing Donna’s car. Join us for […]
In this episode of Occupy the Land, we dive into prepping and pouring the concrete floor for our off-grid dome’s laundry-bathroom area! Using flexible PVC baseboards and a laser level, we ensure a level surface within the earthbag foundation. We mix a 5:1 concrete blend, screen gravel for the base, and tackle the challenges of […]
In this episode of Occupy the Land, we dive into our experimental earthbag dome build in the Arizona desert! We test PVC baseboards to shape our concrete floor, lay reinforced concrete thresholds, and prep earthbag walls to lock in doorjambs. Battling the heat, we share tips for staying cool, from jumping in the pool to […]
In this episode of Occupy the Land, we dive into the exciting start of our earthbag wall construction! Using hyper Adobe mixed with Portland cement, we begin laying the foundation for our off-grid laundry-bathroom dome. From leveling the pad with sand and gravel to installing plumbing and doorframes, we’re tackling the challenges of desert building. […]
