Concept Home Pods

This blog is the first iteration of what has now become www.OneCommunityGlobal.org, please visit that site for all the most current details on this project. 

A major part of the draw and charm of One Community is the diversity of architecture. The community is divided into 5 pods of concept homes, each pod having 8-12 homes of similar eco architecture designed around a pod theme based on the 5 elements (earth, fire, water, metal, wood). The individual homes are spread out over approximately one acre and face a central iconic piece like a giant tree, huge fountain, fire pit, etc. to give each community it's own character and feel.


Key points are:

• Cohesiveness with nature... minimum or zero impact structures.
• 100% energy self sufficiency
• Each pod represents a different design concept themed after one of the 5 elements
• Use of Sacred Geometry in Pod placement and design
• Pods set up as their own mini community/culture with a central iconic image to add character and further represent the theme

John Day is a member of our team with the equipment and experience to create these structures.

This home cost just $5000 to build.

It took 2 able bodied people and their friends 4 months.

Straw bale construction covered in lime plaster.

100% energy self sufficient.

Previous experience: "a go at one similar house 2 yrs prior."

Link to the site I found this on: Here
Link to their website: Here
Link to pictures of the build in process: Here
Link to the house their building now: Here


Excited yet? That is the concept we are considering for the Wood Pod but we're still looking at tree houses too... in which case this would be Earth Pod.

Here is what we are thinking for the Water Pod:

DVD and building plan cost $3,200

Uses zero trees.

Can be built by a team of 3-5 persons.

Sun, wind and shade provide passive cooling and heating.

Link to design page with a video: Here
Larger structure options link: Here
"Rumi Dome" by the same guys: Here

A mind blowing earthship resource page with videos of what is possible: Here

Here is an Earth Bag/Papercrete Home

1300 square feet

5000 bags total

3 years to build averaging 30 hours a week with no hired help.

Total price including permits, land and site prep, solar panels, appliances: 49K

Sand, adobe, flagstone, rock, lime, scoria, parts of trees.

This was their first experiment in doing this...

Link to source page and many many more resources for other eco options: Here
Link to their sister site for kits on every green option: Here

Pod ideas: Each pod should offer its own unique feel and pulse with a central gathering place/structure/attraction that reflects this energy.
Water Element: Homes built with streams and small bridges running around and through the layout... possible swimming area in the center.
Wood Element: Large grove of trees with possible central tree house or other gathering place.
Fire Element: Massive fire pit with central stone structure.
Earth: Labyrinth, Medicine Wheel, and ? Built in Triangle... Amphitheater may be a possibility here as well but would require a layout specific to this.
Metal Element: Large metal water fountain or other metal art structure.

20 Acre Example of the Vision

This blog is the first iteration of what has now become www.OneCommunityGlobal.org, please visit that site for all the most current details on this project. 

This preliminary sketch of the community was drawn up to see what is possible with 20 buildable acres that are somewhat spread out. The property includes everything on our values list as well as eight 3,000 square foot additional buildings (part of a previous business model), 2 acres of parking, 2 fish ponds, 3 acres of growing space, plus an acre of fruit trees and space to spare.

This diagram was created to see exactly how much space we would need for a complete community after a bid on a 2 million dollar 350 acre mountain property uncovered only 11 buildable acres! Seeing what we can do with 20 buildable acres (double what we thought was the minimum) led to the "30 buildable acres of land" on our Values List so we will have extra room and options for expansion and the unexpected.



The 5 Pods...

Pods will be situated as a circle of similar concept homes constructed on approximately one acre of land. This will create a mini themed community and leave room for a combination of single and double residences totaling 12 homes with the option for two connected structures for larger families. The goal of the themed areas are to create a tourism draw while building community.

On the left below you see one of the concept homes with a 200 square foot footprint and a 600 square foot second floor. Minimizing the footprint has building code benefits in some counties and aesthetic appeal. The bottom floor would be set up as a common area or store front with the top area being the primary living space.

Arranging these homes in a circle allows for them to all face a central focal point of the community such as a giant tree, water fountain, fire pit, or other piece of art while creating an easily navigable community for visitors to see the artistic wares or just immerse themselves in the culture.