Building a house needn’t be costly or time consuming, as one handyman demonstrates in a fascinating how-to video.
South African architect Alosha Lynov took to the wilds of Siberia to learn building techniques from locals, who have perfected the art of constructing dome cabins from natural materials.
In his tutorial, Alosha explains that the ‘Hobbit house’ structure cost just $2,000 to craft – with this including labor – and it took him and two others six weeks to bring the abode to life.
In his step-by-step YouTube, Alosha shows how he started by harvesting logs from a forest and then digging a flat foundation into the hillside.
In his tutorial, Alosha explains that the ‘Hobbit house’ structure cost just $2,000 to craft – with this including labor – and it took him and two others six weeks to bring the abode to life
In his step-by-step YouTube, Alosha shows how he started by harvesting logs from a forest and then digging a flat foundation into the hillside
The logs are then prepared so they can be installed as the main support beams, while strips of timber are gradually bent to create a domed ceiling
He says the design was pioneered by one of his friends who was a military engineer responsible for building bridges
The logs are then prepared so they can be installed as the main support beams, while strips of timber are gradually bent to create a domed ceiling.
A lattice roof gradually comes together and then when plastic sheeting has been added, workers go about laying a grass layer.
Alosha tells viewers that the layer of earth – which is around 1ft thick – helps to keep the temperature of the home ‘pretty stable.’
The fact that the home is also buried around 3ft in the ground provides further insulation.
To finish, custom windows are installed in the home along with an insulated front door.
At the end of the video, Alosha reveals that a couple stayed in the cabin with their daughter over the winter, when temperature plunged to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The builder said he presented the cabin concept to his Russian wife but she ‘absolutely refused’ because the structure is too low in places due to the curved roof.
With that in mind, Alosha went about using similar building techniques to construct an arched abode on the outskirts of Saint Petersburg with the ceiling measuring 20ft at its highest point.
A lattice roof gradually comes together and then when plastic sheeting has been added, workers go about laying a grass layer
Alosha described the whole building process as ‘quite extraordinary’
Plastic sheeting is added at one point to provide further insulation while a vapor barrier helps to soak up moisture
Reflecting on his original Hobbit house structure, Alosha says it is the ‘safest’ house he’s ever seen and would be great in earthquake zones as the lattice design makes it flexible.
There is also ‘nothing that can fall on you,’ he adds.
He says the design was pioneered by one of his friends who was a military engineer responsible for building bridges.
With an interest in natural design, Alosha decided to learn the techniques himself and he sponsored the project in order to do so.
He described the whole process as ‘quite extraordinary.’
Alosha tells viewers that the layer of earth – which is around 1ft thick – helps to keep the temperature of the home ‘pretty stable’
One viewer said after watching Alosha’s video: ‘A livable space costing $2000, created in 600 man hours and survivable down to -50F. Amazing. Thanks for sharing’
At the end of the video, Alosha reveals that a couple stayed in the cabin with their daughter over the winter, when temperature plunged to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit
To date, Alosha’s video has been watched more than 93,000 times, with many praising his ingenuity
To date, Alosha’s video has been watched more than 93,000 times, with many praising his ingenuity.
One viewer wrote: ‘A livable space costing $2000, created in 600 man hours and survivable down to -50F. Amazing. Thanks for sharing.’
Another mused: ‘The arch roof reminds me of barn construction I’d seen growing up outside of Lacota, Michigan.
‘When a restorer of old barns demonstrated how the arches were built I was incredulous. The lattice addition Alosha learned was ingenious!
‘I would love to know how well it performs.
‘We are surrounded by so many answers to living more lightly and better on earth without selling an arm and a leg to do it… it just might to require community…’
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