Let's Build a Commune!
Our ultimate vision for Happy Castle is a thriving year-round public-campground and self-sufficient desert-farming eco-commune that serves as the venue for dozens of festivals and events each year.
This dream won't come to life overnight. Rather, the construction of Happy Castle will be a continuous project, successively expanding in scale and ambition as our resources grow. Through our Kickstarter campaign, we’re aiming to raise $150,000–$350,000 in seed funding. With this initial support, we’ll focus on building the elements most critical for Happy Castle's long-term sustainability. Namely, housing, water, power, and of course, the Art Festivals.
In keeping with our ethos of sustainability and self-reliance, most of the living spaces will be built using eco-architectural principles, particularly Super-adobe Earthbag domes. New Mexico has long been an oasis of experimentation and innovation in non-traditional eco-architecture going back thousands of years. Today, the state continues to embrace these structures—like Superadobe domes and Earthships—more than anywhere else in the country.
Our land, located in the unincorporated areas of Socorro County, is ideally suited for this project. With extremely progressive building regulations, it allows for farming, housing, manufacturing, and more—all on the same parcel. This makes it the perfect foundation for building Happy Castle and turning our vision into a reality!
HOUSING
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AND COMMUNAL LIVING
Initially RVs and trailers will make up the bulk of living spaces for our early collaborators as we begin laying the groundwork for for the commune to come, but ultimately we plan to replace these with more permanent structures, including dedicated buildings for sleeping, eating, and showering. Separating our individual living spaces from communal bathroom, kitchen, and recreational facilities facilities not only reduces construction costs by eliminating redundancies but also simplifies communal tasks like cleaning and cooking once the commune is operational.
Our primary housing will consist of Superadobe Earthbag Dome Homes. Never heard of it? That's okay. Pioneered in the 1980s by architect Nader Khalili, this innovative construction method combines the principles of domes and arches with affordable materials to create hyper-durable, cost-effective homes. Through the Cal-Earth Institute in Hesperia, California, Khalili has shared and popularized this revolutionary building technique, offering hands-on courses that many of our collaborators have attended.
MODULAR DESIGN
For a project like ours, with limited financial resources but a large, motivated team, earthbag construction is ideal. A group of 10–15 people can build a livable dome in just a few days, and with a growing community of resident experts and hundreds of passionate volunteers, dozens of these domes can be built every single year. This modular approach allows us to expand the commune quickly, but steadily, erecting new domes as the community grows.
Besides simply providing housing for our members, excess domes can serve as an additional revenue-stream for the commune through onsite rentals. Visitors who don't want to camp in their vehicle tent will have the option to stay in one of our unique, otherworldly dome homes, experiencing firsthand the beauty and sustainability of our community.
SOLAR
SUNSHINE:
THE DESERT'S MOST ABUNDANT RESOURCE
In an environment like Socorro, where the desert sun shines uninterrupted nearly all year long, solar-panels would be ideal. If Happy Castle wants power and values sustainability, then solar is our best option. Likely the system would start small, providing only the energy which is strictly necessary and then, as the years went on, be continuously enlarged as the Campground and Festival operations grew. Eventually, the plan is to produce enough energy to comfortably provide for 100+ full-time members as well as various events throughout the year.
WATER
RAINWATER COLLECTION AND CONSERVATION
In the desert, water is life. In many ways, it's the most precious and sacred resource there is. Without it, nothing can survive out here. Happy Castle Art Camp has gig dreams, hoping someday to not only sustain our day-to-day core-members, but large-scale regenerative farming operations as well. Permacultural landscaping principles and grey-water recycling systems will help to conserve and wisely use the water we do collect, but in a region that sees less than 10 inches of rain a year, most of it falling in just a few intense, scattered storms during the monsoon season, water will be scarce. Meeting the needs for all the farming, bathing, washing, cooking, and drinking of 25-50 fulltime residents, not to mention a transient population of campers and festivalgoers, will be difficult, but not impossible. And we can do it all without drilling a well by instead investing in extensive rainwater-collection and storage infrastructure, proving that sustainability and self-sufficiciency is possible in even the harshest environment.
ART AND INFRASTRUCTURE
THE SOUL AND BONES OF HAPPY CASTLE ART CAMP
Beyond the elements that make Happy Castle a sustainable, long-term community, the next critical priority is developing the infrastructure that ensures it thrives as a premier venue for festivals and camping. This includes well-designed campsites, stages, shaded areas, restroom facilities, and, most importantly, art.
We aim to immerse our visitors in a landscape brimming with wonder and inspiration. Large-scale interactive art installations will be scattered throughout the grounds, alongside dedicated spaces where festivalgoers can showcase their own creations. Like the commune itself, the campground will continually evolve—growing into a dynamic and ever-expanding canvas for art, expression, creativity, and connection.
The Happy Castle
Special School Bus
Mobile
Dome School
MOBILE SUPERADOBE DOME CAMP
At Happy Castle, we believe in bringing our vision to life with ingenuity, resourcefulness, and a bit of desert magic. Enter The Happy Castle Special—our fully converted 40ft 2008 Thomas Turbo CNG school bus, now transformed into a mobile Superadobe Earthbag Dome Building Camp.
For just $3,500, our founder, Thomas Loveheart, acquired this retired school bus and set out to turn it into the ultimate off-grid construction vehicle. Stripped down and rebuilt for purpose, it now carries everything needed to establish a fully functional dome-building camp anywhere in the high desert. Inside, you'll find essential supplies like cement mixers, forms, tampers, tools, earthbags, barbed wire, and water tanks, all carefully stored and ready for deployment. But it’s not just a tool hauler—several bunks line the interior, providing a place for crew members to rest after a hard day’s work in the sun complete with amenities such as a refrigerator, internet, and air-conditioning.
One of its standout features is the massive 4,000-watt solar array mounted on the roof. When deployed, these panels not only generate power for the entire build site but also unfold to provide critical shade for workers below, a luxury we dome builders know is rare. No need for noisy generators—this bus harnesses the sun to power tools, charge batteries, and keep the camp running smoothly.
Beyond construction, The Happy Castle Special Bus is a self-sustaining mobile basecamp. It comes equipped with a stove, refrigerator, dishes, an outdoor shower, composting toilets, and additional storage for spare tents and shade structures. With this setup, we can roll into any location and establish a fully functioning build site in no time. Besides helping us populate our 160 acre expanse with Superadobe Earthbag housing and infrastructure.
This bus is more than just a vehicle; it’s a symbol of our commitment to mobile, sustainable, and community-driven construction. As we grow, The Happy Castle Special Bus will serve as a cornerstone for future projects, allowing us to take our knowledge, tools, and passion on the road—helping others build their own Earthbag structures while expanding the network of like-minded builders dedicated to off-grid, sustainable living.
So if you see this beast rolling across the desert, know that it’s on a mission—to build, to empower, and to spread the spirit of Happy Castle far and wide.
THE BUDGET
STARTUP FUNDS TO
BRING THE VISION TO LIFE
At its core, Happy Castle aspires to be a community and destination of remarkable scale and vision. We envision over one-hundred villagers living and building Happy Castle, thousands of visitors from around the world participating in dozens of annual events, and a breathtaking art-garden filled with monumental, interactive installations.
But every great creation starts somewhere. Burning Man started on a beach with a handful of friends and grew into a global phenomenon with over 70,000 participants attending their largest events and inspiring hundreds of similarly-spirited projects, including Happy Castle. While we're not quite aiming for the scale of Black Rock City and the Burning Man Organization, the lesson is clear: when a community like this comes together, anything is possible.
Although we’re as eager as anyone to realize this ultimate wonderland of connection and creativity, Happy Castle's construction will progress in multiple carefully planned stages, beginning with essential commune and festival infrastructure.
PHASE ONE
We're calling this first stage Phase One and it will be the most critical and challenging step in Happy Castle's journey. During this stage, we will transform raw desert land into a self-sufficient community capable of supporting twenty-five full-time residents while simultaneously building out the primary campground and festival infrastructure.
Creating an intentional off-grid community from scratch is no small task. This is especially true when combined with plans for a festival venue, campground, and sculpture-garden. These aspects bring significant upfront costs for Happy Castle but also ingrain incredible opportunities for long-term sustainability and financial independence.
As with everything we plan to build at Happy Castle, self-sufficiency will be a guiding principle; not just for survival but for our ability to carry out our mission of fostering growth, creativity, connection, and sustainability. Solar panels, rainwater collection systems, and aeroponic greenhouses will help meet our material needs, but Happy Castle is so much more than just an off-grid commune. At its essence, it's an art project. Every element of Happy Castle Art Camp, from the commune, to the festivals and campground, is part of an immersive experience designed to inspire all who participate in its creation.
Building a fully self-sufficient, off-grid desert eco-commune is an enormously ambitious and costly endeavor. Sustaining over one-hundred residents onsite and fully realizing our vision for the festivals will likely take years, requiring an investment of several millions of dollars. However, for now, our focus is on Phase One.
Even scaled for twenty-five residents, Phase One presents the greatest challenges of all future stages. It requires developing essential infrastructure—housing, water, power, and food systems—from completely undeveloped land. So while later phases will benefit from the foundations laid during this stage, for now, we are starting from scratch. Just dirt and a dream.
I am personally pledging over $100,000 of my personal wealth, as well as dedicating my entire life into developing Happy Castle, but it's not a project I can build on my own. I need a community of likeminded artists, dreamers, and doers to join me in building it. That's why we're launching a $385,000 Kickstarter campaign to fund Phase One. Pledging just $25 will earn you a ticket to our first ever Art Festival and help build this one-of-a-kind community.
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THOMAS LOVEHEART
Back a project.
Throw a Festival.
Build a Commune.
Every cent of our $385,000 Kickstarter Campaign will go directly into building Happy Castle Art Camp and bringing an incredible first festival to life for our backers.
Our goal represents the critical resources needed to construct Phase One infrastructure—housing, water, power, and essential facilities— laying the foundation for a thriving, self-sufficient community and one-of-a-kind annual Art Festival.
We’re not paying ourselves salaries or splurging on luxuries—we’ll be living simply in trailers and tents, working tirelessly, and pouring everything we have into realizing this vision. This one time fundraiser will not only create an incredible festival-camping experience for our backers, but also position Happy Castle Art Camp for sustainable long-term growth in the years ahead.
BUDGET BREAKDOWN
$385,000
PHASE ONE
A 60x80 Steel Warehouse ($45,000): This will serve as the unofficial headquarters from which all other construction will proceed. We’ll store vehicles and materials inside. It will also be the sleeping quarters for most of our members until additional residences can be built.
$340,000
REMAINING
Restroom Facilities ($20,000): This facility will feature six shower stall and 18 restroom stalls with two composting toilets each, forming the first quarter of a planned ring-shaped modular building. This completed portion will serve as the primary restroom and shower facilities for the commune and campground during Phase One.
$320,000
REMAINING
Drilling a Well ($30,000): Although we ultimately intend to collect all the water we’ll need exclusively from rainfall, we won’t have the adequate surface-area necessary to do this for some time. So for a while at least, we’ll rely mostly on well-water for our Phase One needs.
$290,000
REMAINING
Solar-Panel Array ($80,000): We want Happy Castle Art Camp to be fully off-grid. For our initial buildout, we’re planning a smaller group of 10-25 full-time members. On the conservative end of the spectrum, we estimate we’ll need a 50kW system. To purchase this in cash would cost well over $125,000 for panels and professional installation, but we would likely finance the panels and do most of the installation ourselves on a temporary ground-mounted rack. This would lower costs closer to $80,000 all in.
$210,000
REMAINING
Water Storage Tanks ($70,000): Eventually, we intend to meet all of our water needs through rainwater collection alone. However, with our land only receiving about 10 inches of annual rainfall, most of it concentrated in a few intense storms, the dual challenge lies in capturing enough water during those events and storing it for year-round use. For a village of 25 people, we estimate we'd need 750,000 gallons (or 100,000 cubic feet) of storage capacity. Even conservatively, this would cost around $225,000 and that is assuming highly affordable earthbag and plaster construction methods.
Clearly, this full capacity isn’t feasible for Phase One, especially considering the fact that we'd lack the necessary surface area to collect such large volumes of rainwater in the first place. Instead, we plan to build one-half of the required storage capacity and adopt strict water conservation practices. During this phase, we’ll supplement our needs with well water and water transported from offsite as we work toward expanding both our collection and storage capabilities in the future.
$140,000
REMAINING
An Excavator ($60,000): For the extensive landscaping and construction projects we’re undertaking—such as earth-bermed homes, Earthbag domes, permaculture installations, grading, channels, and large-scale land-based art—a reliable excavator is indispensable. After careful consideration, we concluded that purchasing rather than renting is the most cost-effective and practical option. A well-maintained, mid-sized used excavator can be acquired for under $60,000, representing a significant upfront investment but one that will save us tens of thousands of dollars over time.
Renting equipment by the day quickly becomes expensive given the scale of work Happy Castle requires. By owning an excavator, we ensure that progress can continue uninterrupted, even when funds are low, making this purchase a critical component of our long-term construction strategy.
$80,000
REMAINING
Earthbag Dome Village ($60,000): This initial phase of construction will include three four-dome dormitories and a six-dome kitchen complex, serving as the primary housing and communal space for our startup crew. While Earthbag construction is labor-intensive, it is also highly affordable and sustainable compared to traditional building methods. We estimate each dome will cost approximately $3,000 in materials and labor.
As our team gains experience with this technique and passes on their knowledge through public dome-building workshops, future Earthbag Dome projects will become even more efficient and cost-effective, making this method a cornerstone of Happy Castle’s sustainable infrastructure.
$20,000
REMAINING
Kickstarter Rewards ($20,000): Fulfilling our Kickstarter Rewards obligations—including clothing, wristbands, and other merchandise—will require allocating approximately $20,000 from our budget. This amount covers not only the cost of producing these items but also includes a strategic investment in in-house screen-printing and embroidery equipment.
This capability will allow us to create rewards efficiently and economically while giving us the flexibility to produce branded merchandise for future festivals, community events, and fundraising efforts. By making this upfront investment, we are reducing long-term costs, increasing creative control, and establishing a potential additional revenue stream.
$0.00
REMAINING
Personal Funding Commitment from the Founder: $100,000+
THOMAS LOVEHEART
Phase One of Happy Castle represents more than a just Kickstarter Campaign for me—it’s the realization of a deeply held dream to create something extraordinary in the high desert: a sustainable, self-sufficient eco-village and oasis of creativity, collaboration, and radical self-expression. As the founder and driving force behind this vision, I am fully committed to seeing this dream become a reality. To that end, I am personally contributing over $100,000 of my own savings to ensure the success of Phase One.
It's my goal that this demonstrates my unwavering belief in the transformative potential of this project and my willingness to invest not only my time and energy but also my personal resources. This is not just a passion project; it’s a life’s purpose. If it's going to be real, then people will need to radically commit to completely changing their lifestyle. I'll go first. These funds will help cover crucial infrastructure, from materials for Earthbag domes to tools, fuel, and everything in between, laying the foundation for both the commune and the festival.
I want to emphasize that this isn’t an easy decision. Pouring this amount of personal savings into Happy Castle means sacrificing financial security and taking a significant personal risk. But I believe in this project, the values it represents, and the future it can create—not just for me but for everyone who shares in this vision. Every dollar I’ve saved over the years is going toward this dream, and every drop of sweat I have is going into building it. Together, with your support through the Kickstarter campaign, we can turn this vision into something incredible and real.
Back a project.
throw a Festival.
Build a Commune.
$100,000 FROM THE FOUNDER
BUDGET CONTINUED
Art Installations ($10,000): A defining feature of Happy Castle Art Camp is its transformation into an immersive outdoor art-garden. Our long-term vision includes vast, site-specific art installations and sculptures that will gradually cover the entire landscape. For Phase One, we will begin with three key installations: the Pyramid of the Sun, the Labyrinth, and the Dry Moat. These monumental projects will eventually form the heart of Happy Castle's brand identity.
While these installations won’t be fully completed all at once, Phase One will lay the essential groundwork for each. By the first festival, attendees will be able to experience significant portions of these installations, including approximately one-quarter of the Labyrinth, the base layers of the Pyramid, and the initial circular channel and berm of the Dry Moat. These foundational stages will serve as a preview of the grand vision to come.
$90,000
REMAINING
Festival Operations ($25,000): Hosting Happy Castle's first festival involves a range of essential operational costs to ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for all attendees. This includes securing event insurance, providing medical services and emergency response teams, hiring security personnel, and setting up ticketing infrastructure. Additionally, we’ll need funds for venue setup, including stages, lighting, sound equipment, and waste management. These expenses are critical for creating a professional and safe environment for festivalgoers, allowing the event to run smoothly and meet legal requirements.
Many of these services will be provided by volunteers, community members, and festivalgoers themselves, significantly reducing operational costs. Additionally, we’ll leverage our extensive event planning experience to optimize resources efficiently. After the Kickstarter, Happy Castle will also reserve the option to sell additional festival tickets at $250 if any further funding is needed to ensure the festival’s success.
$65,000
REMAINING
Shade and Rainwater Catchment ($45,000): To support the initial phase of our self-sufficient water system, we plan to allocate $45,000 toward constructing shade structures that double as rainwater catchment surfaces. These multifunctional structures will provide much-needed shelter from the desert sun while collecting and channeling rainwater into our storage cisterns.
The system will include approximately 47,000 square feet of interconnected catchment surface area, comprised of solar panel installations, warehouses, shaded campsites, pergolas, and gazebos. Designed for long-term scalability, many of these shade structures will be built to accommodate future upgrades, such as retrofitting them with additional solar panels. This dual-purpose approach not only reduces upfront costs but also aligns with our commitment to ecological and financial sustainability.
$20,000
REMAINING
Miscellaneous ($20,000): A project of this scope inevitably incurs a wide range of miscellaneous costs, from food and fuel to unexpected materials and logistical challenges. Supporting a rotating crew of builders onsite brings its own set of expenses, such as providing meals during Build Days, covering transportation needs, and ensuring tools and equipment remain functional.
While many of these costs will be managed individually by participants, allocating $15,000 for a flexible operating budget will provide a vital cushion. This fund will allow us to address unforeseen challenges, keep work progressing smoothly, and maintain momentum as we bring Happy Castle Art Camp to life.
$0.00
REMAINING
BIGGER.
BETTER.
FASTER.
Our first stretch goal on Kickstarter is $500,000—an ambitious $115,000 beyond our initial $385,000 goal. Reaching this milestone would empower us to fast-track our construction timeline and expand our vision with vital additions to the commune like a hydroponic greenhouse, multiple art studios, and vibrant community spaces. This extra funding brings us closer to making Happy Castle a thriving, self-sufficient eco-village and artistic desert oasis.
STRETCH GOAL
BUDGET BREAKDOW
$115,000
A 60x80 Hydroponic Greenhouse ($50,000): The hydroponic greenhouse will enable year-round food production in the desert, using water-efficient systems to grow fresh produce for the community and campground. Phase One will establish the greenhouse structure and essential infrastructure for irrigation and temperature control. This will support Happy Castle’s self-sufficiency goals and serve as an educational space for sustainable farming practices.
$65,000
REMAINING
Laundry Room ($20,000): Our laundry room will serve as a vital shared resource, supporting the hygiene and daily needs of our initial community of 25 Villagers. We are allocating $20,000 to construct and outfit this facility, which will include energy-efficient washers and dryers designed to minimize water and power consumption.
The laundry room will feature a greywater recycling system to divert used water into irrigation basins for our permaculture projects, aligning with our commitment to sustainable living. This investment ensures convenience, resource conservation, and a shared space that fosters community interaction.
$45,000
REMAINING
Expanded Community Spaces ($45,000): Creating vibrant and functional shared spaces is at the heart of our vision for Happy Castle. Beyond the initial Phase One necessities, achieving our $500,000 Stretch Goal would allow us to significantly expand upon communal areas, further enriching the lives of our Villagers and visitors alike. New and improved spaces would include:
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Gym: A modest fitness facility equipped with durable, low-tech exercise equipment to promote health and well-being.
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Library: A quiet refuge stocked with books donated by visitors and Villagers, offering knowledge and inspiration to our community.
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Clothing Donation Space: A dedicated dome for exchanging and donating clothes, encouraging sustainability and reducing waste.
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Art Studios: Several more domes dedicated as creative spaces where Villagers can express themselves through painting, sculpture, crafts, and other artistic endeavors.
REMAINING
$0.00
Become a Part of the Project
Do you want to help turn our 160 acre desert wasteland into a thriving, flourishing artistic oasis for all to enjoy? Add your name to our newsletter below to track the project's progress. Once we launch the Kickstarter, you'll be one of the first to know about it. Then, after we reach our initial fundraising goal of $350,000, we'll start selecting collaborators from our pool of interested supporters and organizing Build Days. Space will be extremely limited at first, but how fast we grows is only constrained by how much help we have. Wee're shooting for a core-group of 20-25 people to live onsite and help us buildout the camp, as well as dozens of temporary helpers who will come and go throughout the year. If we're able exceed our fundraising goals and possibly meet our Stretch Goal of $500,000, we'll dramatically accelerate our construction and timeline.
After assembling a small group of our most committed and industrious collaborators, we'll begin setting dates for our first Build Days. Initially, these will be focused on the bare essential infrastructure improvements such as power, rainwater-collection, and some common-areas. Build Days are the main opportunity for our early collaborators to get to know each other and establish not just the physical foundations of the camp, but also the ethos and culture of the the commune. Come be a part of something revolutionary and meaningful. Come be a part of the Happy Castle Commune!