introduction
floristic catalogue
faunistic catalogue
contact
index
gallery 1: 2006-2012
gallery 2: 2012-
map
>> 2008 Oct  4
<< 2008 Sept 21

                         a   S T A M M E R  project              

2008 September 25 - 28

This weekend the construction of the garden house experienced a major push when some friends came to lend a hand. The weather was marvellous and also the children helped to create a stimulating atmosphere for working, learning and .. eating.

The window and door boxes in their approximate final positions.
27 Sept 13:29

Overview of the 'building' site.
27 Sept 14:09

___________

Before erecting the straw bale walls, some important wooden structures must be assembled first. Very important are the  boxes that are set into the walls and must guarantee a good functioning of windows and doors. They are made of pieces of wood (10x5cm) and OSB boards which are nailed and glued together.

The window box for the biggest window facing south.The triangular OSB boards help to maintain right angles during construction.
26 Sept 10:22

______________

The straw bale walls are 'sandwiched' between two ring beams. Special straps (Cordstrap) are going to be used to press the bales between the beam structures. This will allow for a pre-compressing of the bales (the weight of the roof will do the rest) and also for the levelling of the walls.

Corner of the ring beams.
OSB boards will cover the joints for extra stability.
28 Sept 11:47

The upper ring beam 'ladders' put aside.
28 Sept 13:14

______________

The 'toe-ups' are filled with straw and covered with OSB boards that enforce the ring beam and keep the bales in the wall protected from humidity below. Only a quarter bale disappeared into these spaces.

Filling up the spaces in the lower ring beam with loose straw.
28 Sept 13:55

______________

The thing that causes us major headaches is keeping everything well protected from rain and morning dew. We have had some important showers and thunderstorms and the combination of strong wind and heavy rain can be very tricky. We made the mistake of using cheap canvas of poor resistance and also the construction of the workplace with strawbales was not a happy choice. It is better to make one solid tower of the bales and cover everything with only one big canvas of good (but expensive) quality.
I guess that perhaps about 20 or 30% of the bales will have suffered from excessive exposure to moisture and will have to serve other purposes than house walls.

______________

The visiting children readily discovered the possibilities of the high clay content in the soil, and organized an exhibition of their creations on the border of the pond.

Fauna and flora made of clay.
28 Sept  9:11
 

The artists.
27 Sept 18:36

introduction
floristic catalogue
faunistic catalogue
contact
index
gallery 1: 2006-2012
gallery 2: 2012-
map
>> 2008 Oct  4
<< 2008 Sept 21