Construction Concepts Academic Resources. Minimize excavation work to reduce costs. Building site is leveled but not built up on expensive fill. Instead, lot is graded by cutting and sloping ground away from the building.
Cut material is stockpiled for adobe floor.
Topsoil is saved and reused for gardening and landscaping. Excess straw can be tilled into soil for mulch. A shallow frost-protected foundation uses rigid insulation to avoid the costs of deep foundations that typically extend below frost line. Concrete pier footings use a minimum amount of concrete and raise the poles above ground to prevent rotting and extend the life of the poles. Sand bag foundations are used to support interior partitions.