Posted by Michael Blaha, May 10th , 2009.
Jon Nunan is writing a book about alternative homes. He sent me a series of questions that I am answering here…
When did you begin your project?
May 31st, 2007. For this article I’m speaking about Oasis Pod 1. I’m also working on Oasis Pod 2, a.k.a SolUnit.
Oasis Pod 1 is a low cost alternative / natural building hybrid. It is off the grid. Meaning it’s power comes from the glorious light bulb in the sky, it’s water is harvested off the roof when it rains, and it’s heat, or some of the heat, is produced via passive solar design – heat from the sun, with propane backup. The roof is pretty conventional, though the walls are mostly natural building materials.
Continue Reading…
Posted by Michael Blaha, December 4th , 2007.
I wanted to make an oven, somewhere to bake some pizza. So I started to work…
Continue Reading…
Posted by Michael Blaha, November 4th , 2007.
You may have noticed the Operation Oasis post I made earlier in the season. Where Kevin and I built a small ( 280 round feet ) building. I’m glad to say that I am living in it now and typing on a solar powered computer! A hundred feet away I have started on a new building. Project SolUnit or Sununit; reminiscent of the Project Moonunit. Ok, it’s had many names… some of which has been Ouroborus SolUnit, iSpot or H-spot, Pod number 2. The ( mud ) building season is coming to an end so I thought I’d post something about what’s been happening since September.
Continue Reading…
Posted by Michael Blaha, July 8th , 2007.
A friend of mine and I have started working on a new project recently; Operation Oasis! We are creating a common or communal pod that would house the kitchen, shower, solar power and internet. From there we will be building our own pods that share some of the utilities.
This post and beam structure has a rubble trench foundation with 3 courses of earthbags. From there the walls are a hybrid of straw-bale, light-clay or not-so-light-clay and wattle and cob all covered with an earthen plaster.
We’ve been at it for a month. It’s exciting. Stay tuned!
Watch the progress here »
See a slideshow here »
