THE $15,000 SOLAR ARCADE
(Page 3 of 3)
MODULAR MATERIALS
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To assemble a Solar Arcade, the builder first constructs
the masonry shell, and then frames the residence . . .
either using the precut timber kit or cutting the members
to specification. (The timber package, which can be shipped
to a do-it-yourselfer, is made up of oak beams with
mortise-andterion joints, for which pegs and a mallet are
provided. The builder will need to use a drill for
assembly, though, since the holes are bored after the
members are fitted together . . . to insure tight joints.
The kit costs $2,500, but a set of cutting diagrams and
execution drawings is available, for $50, to those who wish
to shape their own framing timbers.)
After the masonry shell has been framed, the roof deck is
sheathed with plyform, a heavy oiled plywood chosen be
cause of its strength and water resistance. The roof and
walls are then covered with Griffolyn triple-layered
polyethylene. (Commonly used for truck tarpaulins, this
material is completely waterproof, extremely strong,
and-since a nylon fishnet is laminated between its
layerstearresistant.)
Before the backfilling takes place, foundation drains are
installed . . . and, in wet regions, more drains are added
at roof level. Finally, a mixture of topsoil and peat moss
is layered over the fill earth.
A ROCK-BOTTOM COST
The Solar Arcade's $14,757 price tag can be broken down
into $10,627 for materials and $4,130 for labor. (Angus
points out that folks who live in urban areas will likely
have lower materials expenses, which will probably be
offset by somewhat higher labor costs.) Of course, if a
person can do his or her own masonry and/or can cut the
framing timbers from the diagrams-in addition to finish
carpentry and the like-the total building expense could be
significantly lower.
The basic Arcade is somewhat Spartan in appearance, leaving
the owner considerable leeway in finishing off the home's
interior. Macdonald's intention is to construct a livable
earth-sheltered house at a reasonable cost . . . therefore,
a large portion of the building budget is spent on
high-quality, durable components-such as well-made doors
and Andersen windowsrather than on "decoration".
Angus believes that a builder, particularly a first-time
homeowner who's likely stretching his or her financial
resources to the breaking point, will prefer to add ceramic
tile, custom cabinetry, or other appointments later . . .
as money becomes available. And the dollars should be there
for the spending in a relatively short time, since mortgage
payments and utility bills will have been kept to a minimum
from the outset.
There's an additional financial benefit for a would-be
Arcade builder, too: Because of its heavy timber frame and
masonry construction, the home has been rated as
practically fireproof by a Virginia insurance agency, and
premiums to insure the dwelling "against all perils" amount
to less than $100 a year.
Plans for the Solar Arcade-which include working drawings,
a cost analysis, and a specification booklet-are priced at
$100 a set. They may be ordered from Survival Consultants,
Dept. TMEN, P.O. Box 21, Rapidan, Virginia 22733. (Angus
also encloses a suppliers list ... which contains a
description of-and access information forthe specific
materials he recommends for waterproofing, structure, and
finishing.) Plans for a modified twobedroom version of the
Solar Arcade are available, too .. . and any inquiries
about the precut heavy timber kit or the cutting diagrams
should be directed to the same address.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Survival Consultants offers acatalog of all the organization's standard home plans
for $5.00. . . and precut framing kits, similar to the one
de- . signed for the Solar Arcade, are available for some
of the other houses as well.
Angus Macdonald will also work with clients
in helping modify his standard plans, and in providing
custom design work.
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