Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Asking $220K, an Architect’s Handcrafted Earthen Home Seeks a Visionary Buyer in Vermont

Asking $220K, an Architect’s Handcrafted Earthen Home Seeks a Visionary Buyer in Vermont

Bob Chappelle used polystyrene panels, coated with mud and cement, to build the four-domed structure.

"Our country is wedded to studs, sheetrock, plywood, and plasterboard-all you get is a box," declared architect Bob Chappelle during a 2015 tour of his handcrafted earthen home in rural Vermont. Chappelle-who was 95 at the time of the interview and has since passed away-designed and built much of the structure himself, spending multiple years of his retirement applying layers of polystyrene insulation boards, mud, and cement to complete each of the four domed sections.



Located in northwestern Vermont, this earthen home was designed and built by architect Robert "Bob" Chappelle, who studied mechanical engineering at MIT and architecture at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he ran his own firm before retiring in 1974.



After Chappelle moved to the 47-acre site, he spent many years, beginning in the late '80s and into the early '90s, building his dream home section by section. Chappelle reportedly used no blueprints-only a miniature model-to refine his vision, which was inspired by the earthen building styles he observed while living in Africa for several years.

As chronicled in a 1994 Popular Science article about the home's construction, Chappelle described building the first domed section over a period of four years, with plenty of experimenting and on-the-job learning. He estimated it would take him an additional three years to build the remaining wings, although it's unclear when he actually finished.

As the article noted, he first cut and glued together panels of Foamular insulation boards to form the arched and cone-shaped sections. "[He] then applie[d] handfuls of mud mixed with Portland cement to the inner and outer sides of the coned structure [...] and use[d] a shaper to carve the mud. Clear water repellent protects the exterior."

To that, Chappelle quipped: "How many shapes do you get out of plywood and studs? You end up with boxes-a kitchen box, a dining room box."



The nearly 1,500-square-foot home has been vacant since Chappelle's death over two years ago, leading to the formation of leaks and deferred maintenance.



New buyers would need to restore the interior and exterior surfaces, although many original features remain intact-including furniture and cabinetry that Chappelle also made himself.

While the property will certainly require additional investment and some modernization, the sellers hope to find a buyer interested in carrying on Chappelle's vision. Located about three hours northwest of Boston and southeast of Montreal, the 47-acre property also offers a large pond, open fields, and pristine wooded areas. Keep scrolling to see more of the home, which is currently listed for $220,000.



Shown here, a cherry screen and shelves are among the many pieces of furniture and built-ins that Chappelle added to the interior. Other notable features include rough-hewn granite columns, as well as frameless windows that are fitted directly into the walls.



A built-in cherry dining table is located next to the kitchen.



In another section of the home, granite steps lead down to the main bedroom, which also features wood floors and a large window overlooking the secluded property.



An adjacent room features granite columns dividing the space.



The home's only bathroom features a wooden bathtub, as well as cabinetry and other custom-built features. A stone-clad shower is located in a corner beside the vanity.



arps and other temporary fixes are in place to protect the structure while a buyer is located.



Vents on top of the two main domes help to circulate air and provide ventilation.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×