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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Angus on August 13, 2009, 04:45:32 AM

Title: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Angus on August 13, 2009, 04:45:32 AM
There you go ;)
I promised  to build my daughters a hobbit house in the garden. I planned for something tiny which I could then cover with sod so it looked like a green hill, and I planned to use the lid of an old washing machine as a round window.
Now this is a monstrosity, 3.3 x 2.5 metres, 1.5 high, with 5 windows and a door. The form is not round, but close. Octagon. The windows are tubed out by one foot to get the looks, since this will be turfed properly with 2 feet thick turf walls at the base, with some inches of flowermeadow turf on the roof.
What don't you do for yer little ones ;)
I'll post pictures later on, but I recommend a project in this category for anyone who has kids and a garden.
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: ChickenHawk on August 13, 2009, 11:11:20 AM
Always wanted to live in a Hobbit house.

Your daughters are lucky to have such a dedicated, industrious dad.
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: FYB on August 13, 2009, 11:37:10 AM
Always wanted to live in a Hobbit house.

Your daughters are lucky to have such a dedicated, industrious dad.
Agreed.
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Dragon on August 13, 2009, 11:43:22 AM
Need pics cuz it sounds too cool.  I used to have a small playhouse in the yard for my kids, but a few years ago, they outgrew it.  They now have a 10' x 14' house with door, 2 windows and electric.  It's fully insulated and we put an electric heater in it for the wintertime.  I put vinyl siding on it last year when I did the main house.  Will post pics when I get a chance.
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Reschke on August 13, 2009, 11:44:20 AM
You got photos Angus? Just curious to see how you did it.

Dragon beat me to the question.

I think it would be nice to build something out in the back yard for the kids to go to just to be outside of the main house to play in.
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Dragon on August 13, 2009, 04:53:36 PM
(http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo82/bzavasnik/DSC01538.jpg)

(http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo82/bzavasnik/DSC01539.jpg)

(http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo82/bzavasnik/DSC01541.jpg)

(http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo82/bzavasnik/DSC01540.jpg)



Yep, it's a mess, but that's what it's there for.  Still working on the lattice along the bottom and still have to wrap the facia boards, but it's getting there.
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: texasmom on August 14, 2009, 12:11:52 AM
that is so awesome  :aok post pictures!
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Angus on August 14, 2009, 02:39:47 AM
Upcoming today. The weather is beautiful for turf stacking and I have a good crew before lunch, which is about the time the USA wakes up ;)
(5-7 hrs difference?)
Oh, and thank you for the compliment. It's not all me though. I have volunteer workers that surf between countries and focus on organic projects. They will also take part in the normal jobs, but I have to have something in their field for them. I think THAT is one good thing, and it seems to be a success. One of those is mostly the builder of the house, although I am being the brain and buzzing around like a bee.
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Curval on August 14, 2009, 08:11:49 AM
You are the Icelandic *eskimo*.  :)  Post pics.
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Angus on August 14, 2009, 09:34:32 AM
Arrfff, I have no webhost for the moment, but will gladly email anyone who would post. Will be zig-zagging around the computer for the next couple of hours. So if there is impatience, drop me an email address.
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Strip on August 14, 2009, 12:00:03 PM
photobucket.com

Free, fast, and easy to use.

No spyware or adware complaints either.....
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: SFRT - Frenchy on August 14, 2009, 04:01:58 PM
Adults call that a pilbox. :lol
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Angus on August 14, 2009, 05:03:29 PM
(http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/4486/img0766h.jpg)
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Angus on August 14, 2009, 05:41:55 PM
(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2867/img0794vir.jpg)

Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: GFShill on August 14, 2009, 05:57:43 PM
Looks like a small meade hall!
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: thrila on August 14, 2009, 06:14:00 PM
wtg angus, it must be hard work watching attractive girls build a house for you. ;) :)
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Ack-Ack on August 14, 2009, 07:08:28 PM
I bet that dog is thinking he's gonna be getting a really cool dog house soon.


ack-ack
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Babalonian on August 14, 2009, 07:22:28 PM
Just two things I want to make sure you've accounted for (because putting planting ontop of structures is a specialty of the office I work at): 1) have a layer of pea-gravel or sand ontop of the structure's waterproofing so that the water from the sod ontop can drain (you want to avoid making the sod and dirt it's growing in any heavier of a proverbial "wet sponge" when it rains than it will need to be).  2) I hope you have enough support for the weight that will be on the roof.  Turf is heavy, especialy since most types like to be watered regularly.  Dirt is heavy but not that heavy, wet-dirt (or "moist") on the other hand is VERY HEAVY.

Otherwise, it looks awesome and I hope it lasts long enough for your grandkids to enjoy ;)
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: CptTrips on August 14, 2009, 10:45:09 PM
(http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/4486/img0766h.jpg)

I see you grow marshmellows on your farm.  So THATS where they come from!

 :cool:,
Wab
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Angus on August 15, 2009, 02:31:42 AM
LOL, yeas, lots of marshmellows.
As for the structure, I can really jump on the thing, no problem at all. With the sod on top it will weight some, but also distribute the weight that definately gets added by ...kids.
And the water normally does not penetrate 3 layers of turf. If it does, the top and sides are covered with tar paper and the sides as well. The roof has a flap extending into the top turf, practically to the side of it. The idea is that IF water gets through, it must also be able to exit. I have used the trick before and it workd, but that roof is steeper.
More pics upcoming soon.
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: PFactorDave on August 15, 2009, 02:35:47 AM
I'd love to see some photos of it once it is covered...  As it happens, I have a couple of children who might enjoy such a thing...  O also may have a perfect spot to build such a house into a hill... 

Had never really thought about doing something like this, but your post has me thinking about new ways that I can be the "World's Coolest Dad" for my girls...
 
 :D
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Nilsen on August 15, 2009, 02:46:55 AM
Looks great Angus!  :aok
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Angus on August 15, 2009, 03:40:25 AM
Here is the chicken house. That one is built in the traditional fashion. Takes a lot of turf, but should stand for a long time. After only one layer on the roof it was waterproof. Looks ancient, is but a year old ;)
Ah, and TY Nilsen
(http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/5473/img0806ffe.jpg)
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Angus on August 16, 2009, 05:46:45 AM
wtg angus, it must be hard work watching attractive girls build a house for you. ;) :)
LOL, just noticed that one. Anyway they did most of the job, while I served as the brain behind it as well as doing some carpentry etc. It is a student-project anyway, but I learn as well.
The turfing is now complete and my "builder" has left the farm. More pics inbound.
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: fudgums on August 16, 2009, 05:54:26 AM
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h83/ezpl/motivated-parenting-photo-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Building a Hobbit house
Post by: Angus on August 16, 2009, 09:48:42 AM
The project time from cutting the first wood until today when I am playing around with the "round" green door is just 2 weeks. If I'd spend another week I'd have this to hotel standard.
Spent much more time in AH  :devil