Harvest Chapel Mission

A modular steel truss building system, that bolts together, and is designed for hurricane force winds and earthquakes.  Can be erected and under cover in 2-3 days.  Kits will be available in June 2012. 

Free study plans available by e-mail please contact harvestchapelmission@yahoo.com for more information.
 
 
Design Philosophy:

To empower people to be self-sufficient, especially those less fortunate.

To help people live with a lighter footprint upon the planet.

To develop a practical structural steel system of members and joints for low cost sustainable housing:

-Designed for fast assembly of emergency housing. (Katrina, Haiti, refugees)

- Low cost homeless shelters designed for temporary or permanent use.

- Easy to erect storage and warehousing structures.

- Other structural requirements within the community (i.e. Lightweight bridging, water and wind towers, etc.)

A structure that is simple to assemble, easy to “re-use” rather than recycle, with designed in flexibility for the user.

Modular steel components that are easy to transport and assemble in the field.

All costs have been minimized; fabrication, shipping, erection, and inspection, thus making it more affordable for those in need.

This housing is designed as an “appliance” working for the homeowner by reducing energy consumption.  The strength of steel allows for building a living rooftop that can filter and store water.  Many components are designed for multi-use - the attached green house functions as a sun-room living area, passive solar water heater, plant starter, year round clothes dryer, food preservation area, water purifier, and functions as a chimney to draw in cooler air thru the water barrel coolers and living wall porches. The low-cost veg-oil power plant will charge batteries, pump water, grind grain, and press vegetable oil for food and fuel to protect the homeowner from the rising cost of grid power.  The homeowner can choose to generate their own power or use grid power, choosing the best option for them.

Sustaining "Green" technologies to be built in:

Low watt LED lights

10 hp diesel/electric power plant with battery storage*

Elevated rain water catchments (For water pressure)

Grey water recycling

Straw bale (R50) insulation

Water mister (cooling) (Living wall porches)

Solar water heating

Solar water purification

Solar Food Dehydration

High efficiency wood stove/oven

12 volt refrigerator

Flour mill

Oil seed (sunflower, camelina, jatropha) oil press

Composting toilet

Organic, permaculture, high BRIX, garden methods. (Chicken tractor, drip irrigation etc.)

* The 10 hp hybrid diesel/electric power plant is designed to run on 50% vegetable oil. It can be used to run a grain mill, water pump, hydraulic pump, and alternator to charge batteries. It will supply all the power the sustainable building needs. It can also supply enough power to operate a small business.

TRUSS FRAME

JOINT DETAIL

 MULTI-USE

   MODULAR