Ø.E.D.
Earth Pods ™

An "Earth Pod" is a newly evolved class of living, habitable, land sculpture. As the words suggest, an Earth Pod is a protected, nourishing, life enriching environment, which enables the inhabitants to maintain good health, develop and grow.

O.E.D. "Earth Pod"
Albemarle County, VA. April 1998

Earth Pod One ™

Client: Stefan Lessard & Josie Baucom
Program: Single Family Residence
Status: Completed December '98

Original "Earthship" Prototype
Albemarle County, VA. June 1997

History:

"Earth Pod" is the name adopted by Frederick Oesch, for a newly evolved class of habitable land sculpture. As the words suggest, an Earth Pod is a protected, nourishing, life enriching environment, which enables the inhabitants to maintain good health, develop and grow.

"Earthship" is the architectural prototype originally developed by Michael Reynolds of Solar Survival Architecture in Taos, New Mexico, from which Earth Pod One has evolved. Incorporating most of the principal Earthship concepts and intensions, the Earth Pod manifests a thoughtful and careful adaptation to the local Virginia site, micro-climate, and inhabitants life style.

"Living Architecture" and "Self-perpetuation" are the core concepts underlying the development of the Earth Pod... The idea of home as a vessel for life. By optimizing the timeless principles of solar benefit, natural ventilation, and permaculture; combined with the utilization of indigenous materials, craftsmanship, and state-of-the-art environmental control systems; a new architectural archtype is being created. Beyond being merely stylistically organic, it is literally organic, it is literally alive !

Organic Chimney

Interior Watefall & Pool

Earth Pod One
April 1998

Earth Pod One
February 1998


Library Conversation Pit
and Hall Framing
by John Zorland


Hydronic Radiant Heating and Cooling
Marianne Balf Earthstar Intern


Work in Progress
Eric Thompson of Earthstar
Nick Oppenheimer & John Zorland of New Age


Dry Stacked Stone Wall
by Elizabeth Nisos


Earth Pod Entry
Frederick Oesch
Oesch Environmental Design

email : hfoesch@mindspring.com

Credits:

Advisor and Technical Consultant:

Yellow Mountain Institute
Batesville, VA.
Laurie Royse: Former Owner

Consulting Structural Engineers:

Dunbar, Milby & Williams
Charlottesville, VA.
Denwood Milby, PE: Engineer

Environmental & Mechanical
Systems Design:

Earthstar Energy Systems
Waldoboro, ME.
[800] 323 - 6749
Eric Thompson: Systems Engineer
Travis Chapman: Technician
Andy White: Technician
Marianne Balf: Intern
Prescott College, AZ.
Jennifer McCaulley: Intern
P.V.C.C., VA.

General Contractor:

New Age Builders
Buckingham, VA.
[804] 969 - 4976
Charles Metro: Owner
Nickolas Oppenheimer: Project
Coordinator & Head Plasterer
John Zorland: Master Craftsman
John Hobbs: Master Craftsman
Edward Hobbs: Craftsman

Electrical Contractor:

Bob's Electric Service, Inc.
Arvonia, VA.
Bob Slavet: Owner

Plumbing Contractor:

Vencill & Son Plumbing
Scottsville, VA.
Paul Vencill: Owner

Roofing Contractor:

Martin Roofing
Charlottesville, VA.

Flooring Contractor:

Virginia Tile
Charlottesville, VA.

Stone Masonry:

Toru Oba Japanese Stone Masonry
Buckingham, VA.
Toru Oba: Master Stone Mason
Tom Fischer: Stone Mason

Elizabeth Nisos Stone Masonry
Charlottesville, VA.
Elizabeth Nisos: Master Mason

New World Stone
Schuyler, VA.
Kierk Sorensen: Stone Sculptor
Learning Center

Children's Learning Center
1998

Children's Learning Center
1998
Learning Center

Children's Learning Center
Western Elevation

 Learning Center

Children's Learning Center
Bell Tower Interior Perspective

Hexahome

"Hexahome" Prototype
1992

© Copyright H. Frederick Oesch, 2002
"Earth Pod" is a Trademark of Oesch Environmental Design. All rights reserved.

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