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duckylucky
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# Posted: 7 Aug 2012 13:53 - Edited by: duckylucky
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I wonder if anyone has built a small underground cabin. I was thinking about digging it into the side of a hill or constructing a sturdy hut and then covering it with a mount of dirt against the walls. I have also thought of using a surplus shipping container. Such a design would be warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It would also be wind proof / resistant. Please post pictures or links if you know of any.
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exsailor
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# Posted: 7 Aug 2012 14:27 - Edited by: exsailor
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A shipping container shouldn't be buried. All of its strength comes from the corner posts to support the one above it. There isn't any side strength to withstand ground pressures. Then if it was strong enough, you would have the whole metal box thing rusting from the ouside- in growing weaker all the time. Here is a link that discusses an underground cabin. http://www.countryplans.com/underground.html enjoy!
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duckylucky
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# Posted: 7 Aug 2012 18:06 - Edited by: duckylucky
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I am not talking about burying it under 100 feet of dirt! Shipping containers have sides made of corrugated heavy gauge steel. I am pretty sure that can hold back a lot of weight. Additionally, they are waterproof to protect cargo while at sea, so I would expect them to due well underground.
Using a shipping container (above or below ground) would also be more secure when leaving the cabin unattended for months. I found a lot of webpages showing how they can be used to build cabins and many other above ground structures. http://urban-review.com/cargotecture-%E2%80%93-finding-new-use-for-old-shipping-conta iners/
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rancid
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# Posted: 7 Aug 2012 20:18
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heres what im doing in utah with my 2 40 ft containers on my offgrid 12 acres. i have drawn this up about 20 times , trying all kinds of ideas. it will be solar, wind, with a backup generator. chest freezer, converted to a fridge. indoor rocket stove. solar heated water on the roof with a 200 gallon cistern and a 3000 gallon cistern in the ground as well. all l.e.d lighting. corrugated metal roofing and corugated metal and wood siding on the exterior.
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rancid
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# Posted: 7 Aug 2012 20:20 - Edited by: rancid
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i might ended earth berming a coupe sides still as well. they are corten steel , but can still rust and they really do need some reinforcement for the roof to carry dirt.
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duckylucky
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# Posted: 7 Aug 2012 20:58
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That's not a cabin, that's a house! hehehe!
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hattie
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# Posted: 7 Aug 2012 21:15
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Bill Lishman (Canada's own Father Goose) built an underground house. As I recall it took a lot of work to get the permits in place because no one would sign off on the design. He did manage to get it done and it is supposed to be amazing. I found a link to it: http://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-product-design/bill-lishmans-underground-dome-h ome.html
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