THE UPPER KEYA PAHA TRADING CO.
1310 East Old US 18 - P. O. Box 785
Antelope Community - Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation
Mission, South Dakota, U.S.A.  57555-0785
THE UPPER KEYA PAHA
VIRTUAL TRADING POST

- Beaded Jewelry -
- Beaded Caps -
- Quillwork -
- Scrimshaw -
- Earrings -
- Necklaces -
- Other Stuff -
 

EARTH BERMED SOIL CEMENT MODIFIED SALTBOX HOUSE
* * * * * DESIGN DETAILS * * * * *

   The floorplan for the Earth Bermed Soil Cement Modified Saltbox Home has evolved over time to what is displayed in Figure 1.  The intent was to establish a headquarters for a non-profit institution that promotes alternate design methods and technologies using true sweat equity construction and creative financing to provide housing for the membership of the Rosebud Reservation.  This style of housing is not for everyone, but for those who would like to breakout of the average mold and be a little different. 
   There are about three therories that are combined into the design of this home.  One, a home should provide adequate space for the family living there, in my case with eight children and now grand children to think of, a lot of space will be required.  Two, the home should not be a money pit that consumes mass quantities of non-renewable energy, drains personal capital to build, finance, and pay for.  The home should also provide extra income to help pay for itself.  Three, the first structure designed and constructed should lead the way for those that follow.  As a prototype structure, facilities are build into this home that helps provide design, modular building, and construction material and equipment to build future structures at the least expense to the owners.

   The lower level of this structure incorporates all three therories of this design.  In the rear there are cellars for the production of earthworms.  This area also serves as a cold air barrier between the exterior northern wall and the living quarters while providing income and employment for members of the home.  The living quarters include the airlock entry to the stairs while providing access to the living room and dining room.  Through the living room access is provided for the theater or den.  Through the dining room access is provided for the kitchen and pantry or out to the garage and shop areas.  The airlock also provides access to the greenhouse and to the offices and studio.  This area will provide the working core for the non-profit institution to document the success of existing structures while promoting future structures.  The dining room also doubles as a meeting room.
   As stated earlier the foot thick soil cement walls provide thermal mass.  Liquid propane gas will provide backup heat source in conjunction with a heat pump heating and cooling system.  Most of the floors on level one have heated brick floors that will use re-newable energy, solar and wood, as a primary source of heat.  This design allows for heating only the areas that are occupied.

   The upper level of the design also address the three theories that were discussed earlier.  Above the earthorm cellars on the lower level are the mushroom cellars.  The compost first is used to raise mushrooms, then are used by the earthworms, which will add their castings to the compost, and then moved out to raised vegtable gardens.  The garden residue along with manure from small backyard livestock is then composted again to be cycled through the system again.  The small backyard livestock will consist of rabbits, poultry and fowl. 
   The areas above the lower living quarters are the three sleeping quarters which consist of a master suite, boys and girls dorms, laundry area and the library.  The area above the garage and wood shop is the retail outlet for the marketing institution that will continue building these alternate design houses.  It will market plumbing, electrical, and heating and cooling equipment on a cost plus basis for other members wishing to build their own homes.  This structure will be the prototype for this style of construction and facilitate future housing.

   Below is the cross section drawing of how the lower and upper levels relate to each other.  (see Construction Design for details) 

Figure 3.  Cross section drawing of the structure.