The Most Annoying Part of the Build: Satisfying the MAN

Now, one may reason these alterations are just adjustments to deal with the local conditions. And yes, it’s true that the climate is cooler, darker, and … actually a lot wetter, than where Earthships were developed. For this reason I can see why they pay such a big attention to keeping moisture out. As a result, we have to wrap the entire building in ten mil poly, starting right under the walls. This plastic sheet is going to extend up behind the entire tire-wall, glued together with at least two continuous beads (seen in the photo), as well as under the floor slab. Sure, this adds an extra step to the building process, and the tires do slide around on it when being pounded, but in the end it’s not too hard to get used to it. On the upside, we don’t have to pour a concrete footing under the tire-wall, as it was the case at the build of another friend of mine in Colorado, also required by her local code.

Update on the Construction 

It is now July 10, roughly two months after I arrived on the Doighouse property, and I can proudly say, we have completed the second course of tires! Proudly, really? I somehow feel like there is a good amount of shame in this statement as well. I have been hoping by this time we’d be in danger of falling of the nearly completed tire-wall, or even better, the framing of the southern window. And we could be there… if only it weren’t for the formidable paper-battle with the officials, a.k.a. the govern-MAN. 

Ambitious Goals Made Realistic

Unlike many Earthships and other off-grid buildings that can be found in the area (especially on Lasqueti Island), one characteristic of the Doighouse is that it aims to be the first Earthship in British Columbia that abides by the building-code. These standards have just recently been updated, and consequently raised to an even higher level. But my ambitious friends have decided to soldier through all the loops they’re presented, and stitch this puzzle together to make everything fit.

In addition to the plans of the Global Earthship Model they’d bought from Mike Reynolds, they contracted a local architect and a structural engineer to make the necessary changes to the original plans in order to comply with the official building require-MANs. These professionals were well picked, for their expertise in their field, as well as their familiarity with natural and non-conventional building methods. The result was a set of plans which go into immense detail on certain things such as footings, insulation, vapor-barrier, etc. and should hopefully satisfy whatever the far-away office de-MAN-ded.

Deviation from a Typical Earthship

Although the house will remain a properly functioning Earthship, certain details differ greatly from what has been deemed the best technique by Earthship Biotecture. One such example is the roof, which meets the front window at almost 90 degrees. Gabled roofs, utilized widely in the high-desert climate of the Earthship’s origin for maximal solar gain, are not allowed in such a wet climate. (Imagine all the horrible consequences these caring institutions protect ignorant owner-builders from!) What’s more, the roof must extend a few feet past the window, to protect against the rain-curtain.

However, at the same time, the govern-MAN decided that recycled windows were not allowed (probably for the protection of the residents, and not so much due to the pressure of the building-material lobby, right?). Since the entire southern wall is a big, continuous window, this would have made it outrageously expensive. Fortunately, the clever engineer figured out a loophole, where this rule could be circumvented if the area behind is considered “outside space”. For this reason, the greenhouse can’t be referred to as such, and is instead called the “vestibule”.

Why all the Bother?

These examples are just a few of the man ridiculous require-MANs one has to comply with if they want a code-approved Earthship. On the other hand, there are many people who just build without paying heed to any of these rules, not only on Lasqueti Island. So what’s the point, really? Why are Tony and Susan so bent on playing by the book? The answer is education. Their goal is to become a learning center once their house is completed. They want to take the knowledge out into the world, or at least to the four corners of British Columbia, showing others who are interested in building an autonomous home how to do it within the guidelines of the govern-MAN, and without going completely pirate. Their building plans, as well as the story of their Earthship, they want to make available open-source to anyone interested. For this alone they deserve the highest respect, and I keep my fingers crossed that their build will be successfully finished soon.

As for myself, I am certain, for my next project I want to find a build that is completely under the radar. The kind of home any Mexican would laugh at if I mentioned a building permit. Yes, from a distance my country of choice seems very attractive at the moment, especially for building a home without much interference from above! As for the moment, I enjoy fantasizing about how far we would be already, if the regional district wasn’t picking apart the entire plan. At the moment they are debating the fire-escape-ceiling windows (hopefully not for too long).

If you like this project, please visit the other posts I have published in my Doighouse Series:

1. Earthship and Permaculture - Introducing the Doighouse Series
2. Shower for the Earthship Build 
3. Complementing the Earthship: The Permaculture Garden
4. Essential for the Helping Hands: The Volunteer Kitchen
5. Preparing for the Earthship Build: Milling Lumber
6. Week of Volunteers - Getting Started on the Tires (finally!)

If you're interested in coming to visit, or better volunteer for a while, please contact Susanmdoig@gmail.com and visit http://thedoighouse.com/ Looking forward to getting to know you!