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[PermieGing]

The word Walipini come from the Aymara Indian word "place of warmth". A walipini is essentially a designed small tunnel, with platic over the top, and a door. Of course this explanation is simplified, but not too much

The walipini takes advantage of thermal energy from the earth, which is surrounding it on all sides, except for the top. It also effectivley captures and holds the energy emitted by the sun. All in all, the walipini seems like the way to build a greenhouse.


Heres a few great links (the second is a nice PDF):

http://www.treehugger.com/green-architecture/build-underground-greenhouse-garden-year-round.html
http://www.bensoninstitute.org/Publication/Manuals/Walipini.pdf

8 Likes TBM, happyconcacti, Seed Collector, Sunshine, Greentoe and 3 more people like this.

[plantlight]

Quick clip (2:31) of an active walipini.  Inexpensive greenhouse replacement for those that have the space to build it. 

2 Likes prasada and LoveAndTrust like this.

[Psylocke]

I like it! Kind of like a passive solar greenhouse using the earth as thermal mass. One of these days I will have the funds and the property to build a proper solar greenhouse.

1 Like plantlight likes this.

[misplant]

Buddy of mine in north central Washington State has a 20' x 40'  in-ground gh....8' high concrete block walls, of which 6' of them are below grade.  Dirt floor, A frame style roof with corrugated plastic panels.  Below freezing & with snow piled up outside, inside without any heating its 55-60F in the winter.

2 Likes Frog Pajamas and plantlight like this.

[plantlight]

Very smart!  I'd enjoy seeing a photo of it.  These things have super value.

[LIBERTYNY]

 Great theory but in some climates they suffer from drainage and mold issiues

[plantlight]

Great theory but in some climates they suffer from drainage and mold issiues

I can envision how that could be an issue -- something to consider in the design stage maybe?

1 Like LIBERTYNY likes this.

[LIBERTYNY]

 "The Walipini (underground or pit greenhouse) in this bulletin is designed specifically for the area of La Paz, Bolivia. However, the principles explained in the bulletin make it possible to build the Walipini in a wide variety of other geographic and climatic conditions. The word ‟Walipini” comes from the Aymara Indian language of this area of the world and means ‟place of warmth”. The Walipini utilizes nature’s resources to provide a warm, stable, well-lit environment for year-round vegetable production. Locating the growing area 6’- 8’ underground and capturing and storing daytime solar radiation are the most important principles in building a successful Walipini."

Pdf  ---   http://www.survivalistboards.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1268


 Lot of other great articles their as well, but you may need a account to download.

1 Like plantlight likes this.

[AcaciaAve]

This thread and idea is great
I have lots of space and lots of time
To start digging
And insulate with Phalaris straw

This would be a really great way to let Caapi go crazy inside

1 Like plantlight likes this.

[ONandONandON]

Think i might try this soon.. have a one time chance when an excavator is coming to the farm.

Could it be a good idea to add extra dirt to the sides to build higher walls and keep out water?

[ciervatranquila]

I recently saw a documentary that showed a Walipini. Very cool concept! A great use of resources.