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pit2

Foundation finally ready for framing

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Comment by Rick Stillwagon on September 24, 2011 at 8:37am: The pit space is to house the fish tanks and plumbing. On either side of the greenhouse, above the tanks will be the grow beds. By lowering the tanks I pick up space, thermal mass (concrete), darker environment for the fish (less stress,) etc. This leaves the greenhouse for growing plants. there will be a wooden deck at grade level that opens for access to the space below. The top of the fish tanks will be exposed beneath the grow beds.

Comment by PJ Ritch on September 23, 2011 at 8:16pm: Beautiful structure. That's why I wanted to follow you to see this come together. What will you use the floor below for, in the pit? I'm going to make a pit greenhouse, too, but the pit floor will be my floor. I'm in Western NC.

Comment by Rick Stillwagon on September 23, 2011 at 8:11pm: The outside dimensions are 153" wide x 189" long x 56"deep. It will be a glass greenhouse similar to this photo. The tanks go along both long walls. the floor of the greenhouse will open for access below. The grow beds will be above the tanks. There will be a mecanical room next to one end that will house the water heater, generator, battery backup, etc.

Comment by PJ Ritch on September 23, 2011 at 8:02pm: Hey, what are your dimensions on the pit? Have you figured out your roof system? I describe my plan to contractors (who don't show up) as "basement walls with a greenhouse shed-style

roof-cover." Right now I'm 3 for 3 on no shows!

Comment by Rob Torcellini on September 23, 2011 at 9:25am: Thanks for the info. Keep up the good work!

Comment by Rick Stillwagon on September 23, 2011 at 8:48am: That sounds like my pace...tedious. I didnt have quite as many blocks, I think it was under 300. Just take your time and use your level.

Comment by Rob Torcellini on September 23, 2011 at 8:29am: Thanks for the info. If you haven't seen my videos on the dome project, check out the latest at youtube dome video. Because of the shape, no wall is longer than 6.5' or 11' for the outer shed area. It's why I'm on the fence about filling them or not.

Just curious, how fast can you lay your blocks. I'm (hand) mixing an 80lb bag of mortar, cutting blocks and setting them in just under 2 hours, for 15-18 blocks- I have 500 blocks total to do. Not sure if that's good or not. It's the first time I've done masonry ;-)

Comment by Rick Stillwagon on September 23, 2011 at 8:16am: I tend to over build anything I do. I hate to do things twice. But if you mix the cement yourself, it is really easy just takes a little longer, it doesnt cost that much. We used about 4 yds for this project and the cement cost about $120.00. I am also using it for the thermal mass to help with heating and cooling. I went 4' deep so I was worried about the stress on such a tall wall. It would be more likely to buckle than something shorter.

Comment by Rob Torcellini on September 23, 2011 at 7:55am: we freeze here too. I'm insulating the outer wall before backfilling it and the floor will be heated so I'm hoping the wall won't freeze. And the inner part of the dome will be backfilled too so there really isn't any side pressure on the wall (except frost against the foam). I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth the expense of bringing in more concrete! ;-)

Comment by Rick Stillwagon on September 23, 2011 at 7:39am: I filled the walls with concrete and rebar. Our ground freezes in winter and with the walls below grade, the ground can heave and buckle hollow walls. The rebar and additional concrete increase the strength of the walls tremendously.