Papercrete Dome

Here is an interesting tutorial on how to build a papercrete dome by a couple who are building a life in rural New Mexico.

Their first papercrete dome was a simple project to house their PV battery bank. With only minor modification, it should be possible to use the same technique to build any small structure from a child's playhouse to a simple guest house, or even larger. Reinforced papercrete domes are both strong and weather resistant, if the proper finishing layers are applied. Insulation properties are good, and could be modified to the particular location. Thermal mass characteristics can likewise be adapted to location, with simple modifications. Creative possibilities in design are immense with these building techniques (papercrete and other 'cretes).

The overall structure will conform to the shape given it by the reinforcement structure. Steel re-bar is quite strong and rigid, and requires a bit of practise along with special tools to shape and size creatively. Steel mesh materials are less rigid, but provide excellent tensile support and can be creatively shaped more easily than re-bar. The trick there is supporting the structure against gravity while the 'crete is curing.

These structures can be made to appear as part of the landscape, rather than as human artifacts. In a post-apocalyptic world (whatever the nature of the apocalypse) -- or even a very stressed world in rapid transition -- being able to blend into the landscape can be a useful skill. Just a bit of imagination can go a long way.

H/T to MAKE and Wired

From an earlier post at Al Fin Potpourri