This house was a true labor of love. I built it to live in, (and did so for 10 years) while also knowing one day I would give it away (which we also did). It is a combination of several different earthen building methods, including cob, earthbag, light straw clay, adobe, wattle and daub and earthen plasters.

The dome frame was the original inspiration for this home.  I had an idea that it could be a super quick, simple way to build a shelter. Just a few steps up from a tent.  But, of course, I wanted a full sized door, so we raised it all up several feet, and then one thing leads to another. 

Whee the dome arches overhead the heavy earthen materials transition to lighter straw heavy mixes. In our seizmic zone we would not want to use cob or adobe overhead in a dome.