A beautiful backyard: The ordinary backyard or garden can be the most tedious to tend to. Many of us spend long hours mowing, purging weed or even money to achieve a pleasant ambiance when having our tea time or even enjoying a nice pot luck dinner with our dear loved ones on a weekend in our backyards. This story about a man is different though.
It can be quite a peculiar sight to witness your neighbor working on a huge pocket on his backyard. Wayne Martin was on a mission and possibly the biggest project he has ever taken on.
1. The Hole
When seeing their next door neighbor digging a big pit in his own backyard almost everyday despite the weather conditions, Martin’s neighbors assumed that he was simply building pool or a pond. But when they realized that the pit was dug way too deep, they could only guess what he was working on. Martin started by shoveling dirt in his backyard and making sure it was deep enough to fit something in and below ground level.
Martin’s bizarre act definitely got heads turning and his whole neighborhood talking about his latest project that seem too odd for them to understand.
2. The Container
Shipping containers, according to it’s measurements, can fetch to an extremely high digit on a price tag. Although they are mainly used to ship large cargo, they are also widely used for an array of projects of which many people have managed to transform these shipping containers into homes or even as a garage! And to the surprise of his neighbors, that is exactly what Martin brought back to his backyard.
Martin got himself a handsome deal with a 6 meter container he had found online. This container is an essential element of the whole project that Martin was working on.
3. A Single Way In
Martin’s next step was rather peculiar. He had entirely sealed one end of the container but allowed the other end to have an inward opening door. By sealing one end, he presumed that it will avoid anything or anyone to easily access the 6 meter long container. There will only be a single way in and out of this structure.
Do you think his neighbors be worried of what his plans are with this container that has been only slightly altered? Was Martin planning live in the container? Or was he trying to find a way to keep something in it?
4. Check And Double Check
After he finished making his own altercations to the container, he then progressed to work on the hole once again. But this time he is making it much wider, longer and deeper. He ensured that there was about 60 cm deeper and as well as on each margin, making sure that the hole was that much deeper than the height of the container before laying 16 cm of gravel onto the bottom of the hole.
By now the hole in the ground already looked ridiculously huge. Should we assume that he is going to place the container in the hole?
5. The Big Move
To our assumptions, Martin did move the large 6 meter container into the hole that he had so carefully dug. He could not have done it alone though, so he plotted a meticulous plan by hiring a septic company as well as a truck to aid him with moving and lowering the hefty container into the hole in his backyard without creating any undesirable damages to both the hole or the container.
He made sure that the container was positioned within a specific dimension so that the door was able to be accessed underground. Was he going to bury the container?
6. Just The Perfect Fit
Now that the container had been carefully lowered into the hole, everyone had finally begun to catch up on the idea of what Martin Wayne was truly up to. Seeing that there was a 60 cm gap on each side of the container that is now underground, it was apparent that there was so much more work to be done.
Although a seemingly huge effort, Martin had only completed a small aspect of his ambitious project. The following steps might even inspire you to advance into your own DIY project in the comforts of your own backyard or home in the future!
7. Sump Pump Business
Every single structure that has ever been built requires a sump pump that works by draining water from cramped spaces. It is extremely crucial to have a sump pump installed when dealing with structures built underground ,such as basements in homes, so to prevent the undesired occasion of any flooding from ever occurring.
This smart and important step will ensure Martin’s project to remain above water line and anything inside the container to stay undamaged. We are left to wonder what will Martin be storing in the metal container that so badly needs to be kept away from moisture and water.
8. One Way Up And Down
In able to have an easier access to this huge underground metal structure, Martin then thoughtfully added concrete steps that started from the top of the hole leading to the bottom of where the built in door of the metal container was. This would provide a very much convenient access to the huge underground container that only has a single built in door.
Some of us would think twice and think once again when asked to enter an underground structure like this, but keep in mind that this is only the core and bare foundations of what the outcome will be.
9. Better Safe Than Sorry
Martin’s sophisticated project continues to rise in its momentum when he proceeded with the installation two I-beams in order to ensure that the metal container will be extremely stable if there were to be any earthquakes or seismic shifts in the area. Aside from acting as stabilizers, these I-beams take on other purposes for the container.
Was Martin going to add something on top of the container now that the I-beams are added? This very much sounds like an intricate addition to the underground metal container and definitely not your normal installation to your regular backyard. By now, can you guess what Martin is attempting to build in his backyard?
10. Another Roof, Another Proof
Stairs leading down to a door of a container underground, by the looks of it, we are able to assume that Martin was building a bunker. What’s missing now is a roof to the structure. To be able to add a roof, Martin would have to add wooden frame above the I-beams.
His objective with this is to be able to have a roof that is able to protect the container that is underground as well as act as a garden above it in his backyard. Martin then added heavy metal sheets on the frame to ensure the roof was strong and waterproof.
11. More Than Meets The Eye
Martin then advanced onto working on improving the stairs that he had built earlier during the process. He made sure the entrance to the metal underground structure was strong by adding concrete blocks and making sure that the stairs were not obstructed by the metal sheet that acted as a roof to the metal container that is underground.
The entrance to his underground bunker was finished at last. The entrance no longer look as uninviting as before. But what was Martin planning to keep in the container? Martin was nowhere close to entirely completing his great and already laborious project.
12. Another Pump
Martin’s journey with pumps does not end at the sump pump. If you could guess, what else are pumps used for besides water? And what is a simple form of resource that we all need? Oxygen! Martin continued to install air vents to provide ventilation to his underground bunker. In order for that, Martin dug two 30 cm at both ends of his DIY bunker.
Knowing all the steps and measures that Martin took just to build his underground bunker, would you have done the same too? It almost looks like Martin is building a home. Was Martin planning to take refuge in his bunker permanently?
13. Frosting The Layers
Almost every cake that has ever existed is layered with heavenly frostings in between each delicious layer. And just like a cake needs to be frosted, Martin’s underground DIY project required some frosting as well. But instead of the usual sweet and almost addictive frostings on cakes, Martin used concrete to fill up these extra spaces underground around the container to avoid the bunker from being shifted from it’s original space in the soil especially in the cold seasons.
It requires a lot of patience and some skill to pour concrete as to avoid any missed spaces, as seen in the picture above.
14. More Concrete
To insure that his underground bunker is totally safe from any undesired damages that can be caused by extreme weather conditions in his region, Martin added more concrete to create a thicker layer of concrete that will act as a layer of protection for his bunker.
Just like the concrete, Martin’s plans were rock solid. Martin never really revealed what he has in mind to anyone just yet though he’s been investing a load of time to this project. What was he planning to do with the bunker? His journey in completing it is really not even close to being complete.
15. Blocks
Once every layer of the concrete had completely dried, Martin then added cinder blocks to the single entryway of the underground bunker. Martin definitely worked very hard in order to have his creation sturdy and safe.
We can say that an easy access ,though sophisticated in the process of creating it, to this underground bunker is also important to Martin as he did not hesitate with spending both time and money to achieve it. By now, Martin is halfway through the whole project and we can see the progress he had made although most of it is not visible as they are buried.
16. Removing The Mold
When it comes down to structures or buildings, safety guidelines must simply never be ignored as we all know that it is better to be safe than sorry. Martin had made sure that he used aiding tools in the beginning of his construction journey to make sure his underground bunker is completely safe upon completion.
After patiently waiting for the concrete to dry, Martin carefully removed the aiding tools. This process is called scaffolding. Without these aiding tools in his construction of his project, Martin’s bunker would possibly fall apart and harm people as this project was not just a normal project.
17. Touch Ups
Martin’s main objective was to make the bunker invisible to the naked eye, almost incognito so to speak. Martin capped the roof of the bunker with quality compost masking it from being easily spotted but he made sure to leave only the entrance and exit of the bunker uncovered.
Martin planned to cover the bare ground with greenaries to make the area much more pleasant to the eyes. It is not easy to spot for something that is buried underground, even if its an underground bunker. To take another step to camouflage it from the landscape is the cherry on top to Martin’s project.
18. Passion Is Priceless
After Martin had finally wrapped up with his grand project, everyone was stood rooted when they got to find out what he had neatly arranged in his underground bunker. There all aptly stacked on the shelves were bottle and bottles of wine! We all know by heart that perhaps the best place to keep wine is to keep them underground allowing their flavors to gracefully age before enjoying it over a nice dish or occasion.
Underground bunkers can be used for other many useful purposes than just to store wine. Was keeping wine Martin’s only plan after elaborately constructing this underground structure?
19. A Safe Haven
As mentioned in the point earlier, an underground space is not only great for storing wine but it can also be a good space when seeking refuge. A safe place to keep precious alcohol that can also be a safe place to stay alive. Martin’s underground cellar consisted of a compartment that allows him to safely retire if there were to be an event of any natural disaster.
This is now all much more clearer as in regards to the process of creating this structure, Martin made sure that this underground haven is extremely strong and safe to endure almost anything.
20. A DIY Fit For Everyone
Martin is more than happy to share his brilliant secrets to successfully building this hidden underground bunker. And with the power of the internet, Martin is able to share it to the whole world. He shared a diagram, the original plan of the structure, complete with every single detail, personal notes and tips of the underground structure that he proudly finished building.
Martin revealed that anyone will be able to assemble this bunker without much money and limited resources. He had proved to everyone that with just the right amount of passion and hard work, everything can be accomplished.
21. A Simple Note
There is one thing though that Martin would change about his bunker. He recommends, to those who are looking into building their very own underground bunker, placing ramps on the stairs to the entrance and exit of the bunker.
These addition will put people who geographically live in states where winters are icy at an advantage. It is known that when winter comes, ice and snow can make walking difficult resulting to slipping. Therefore, the simple addition of ramps on the stairs is suitable to be used as support. An overhang placed right above the entrance is also recommended by Martin.
22. The History Of Bunkers
The idea of underground bunkers are definitely not considered alien. The history of underground bunkers dates back to the Cold War, when the American federal government advised their citizens to construct their very own personal atomic bomb shelters and bunkers in their private property.
It was favored that a massive amount of concrete should be used so that the shelters are stable and not so brittle in the event of bomb attacks. With better and improved resources in the world today, we are able to build a much better shelter than of those that were built in the Cold War.
23. Bunker Trend
An increase in the demand of bunkers witnessed by construction companies was at its peak in 2017 as Americans bit into the paranoia of a terrifying breakout of a nuclear war in the close future. It was apparent that during the same year that there were tensions between countries and this relation only leads to an unpredictable foresight.
A Texas based construction company who specializes on bunkers recorded that their business had attained it’s highest record from the years 2016 to 2017. They noted that their sales have increased to an astonishing 400%, estimating to the revenue of $10 million a year.
24. At What Cost?
These personalized bunkers can get very pricey. Martin’s DIY bunker had a price tag that was much more fairer than compared to the cost of a bunker that companies offer to be built for you. In total, Martin spent $ 12,500 and did most of the job without assistance as he was at an advantage by owning a tractor and was able to complete much of the work without difficulties.
To give you a simple idea of the commercial price gap, the smallest shelters cost $ 50,000 and the largest shelter of which measures 3.6 m by 15 m will cost $ 10,000.
25. Decisions, Decisions
A highly recommended company that specializes in construction and sale of bunkers that is located in California, Atlas Survival Shelters, reported to have sold 30 shelters in just three days. That’s amazing.
If you opt out for a much simpler option, there are unarmed military bunkers that has been abandoned since 1967 located at Vivos xPoint in South Dakota. These spacious bunkers are available to be rented at $25,000 for 99 years. The downside would be that these bunkers do not have any plumbing, electricity or air filtration in them but this can be easily resolved by installing the required facilities on your own.
