Good, clear straw/clay tutorial. Put those kids to work!
“An instructional video by Cedar Ridge Farm.
Light straw clay, also known as slip straw, is a healthy and simple material for filling interior (and exterior) walls. The process of packing the straw-clay mixture into the walls requires only simple tools and labor.
“Texas Natural Builders will be building a timber framed cordwood home called Paha Wakan (The Sacred Mountain), originally designed by Kelly Hart and modified by TNB, on the Pine Ridge Lakota Reservation in South Dakota starting June 1, 2014-August 31, 2014.
“Freeman Murray cofounded Jaaga, a Bangalore-based company aimed at helping developing countries build core infrastructure from pallet racks — easily-assembled, heavy-duty warehouse shelving components.”
“Jason and Alayne discovered this great foundation that was built with a wise eye towards passive solar design and insulative walls. They are now building a home incorporating other smart features such as cordwood walls and a living roof which will have rainwater pumped with a solar pump up to it, irrigating the roof and keeping the house cool.”
Oh my, what a story. I spent an hour clicking through his site looking at drawings and watching videos. The story keeps getting better the more you learn. Kéré’s work has depth and quality. He is very inspiring.
“Diébédo Francis Kéré knew exactly what he wanted to do when he got his degree in architecture… He wanted to go home to Gando in Burkina Faso, to help his neighbors reap the benefit of his education. In this charming talk, Kéré shows off some of the beautiful structures he’s helped to build in his small village in the years since then, including an award-winning primary school made from clay by the entire community.”
“It’s possible to have good ventilation in the building if you use the way nature works.”