Overview
Here's one for all you Tolkien fans out there. A go-getting housing company are now selling prefabricated homes that wouldn't look out of place in The Shire. Made from fibre-reinforced polymer shells that are then covered in soil, Green Magic Homes are the closest thing you'll get to living in an actual hobbit-hole. Now hand us the pipe-weed.
Constructed from pre-made vaulted panels, the dome-like residences are designed to be eco-friendly and energy efficient, and can be easily assembled by just about anyone. Pre-made components can be screwed together based on the desired shape and size of the home under construction, with a three bedroom house requiring only five to six days and three people to build.
Once the house has been put together, it's completely covered in soil, stabilising the structure and providing natural insulation, as well as giving it that classic Hobbiton circa the end of the Third Age feel. You can plant a garden, or even trees, atop your hillside homestead — just watch out for wandering roots.
According to the Magic Green Homes website, the modules are fully waterproof, suitable for hot and cold climates, are earthquake and hurricane resistant, and can be expected to last several lifetime of use. As long as the Sackville-Bagginses don't get their greedy hands on it.
For more information about Green Magic Homes, check out the delightfully cheesy promo video, below.
Via Inhabitat.