introduction
floristic catalogue
faunistic catalogue
contact
index
gallery 1: 2006-2012
gallery 2: 2012-
map
>> 2008 Dec 12
<< 2008 Nov 28

                         a   S T A M M E R  project              

2008 December 6,7 & 8, Saturday to Monday

It was a long weekend, the popular 'puente de la Inmaculada'  with a record number of skiers in the central Pyrenees, due to the abundant and early snowfall this year.
Our plan was to finish the ceiling and cover the roof at least with some OSB boards, which we achieved, but we weren't able to place the EPDM sheet on the roof to protect it definitely against rain. Nevertheless a friendly neighbour offered to lift the extremely heavy sheet with the backhoe of his tractor next week.

Coffee break. Looking north-east.
Sunday 12:34

View through the small window, looking north-east.
Saturday 11:06

______________

Work began with the lateral lookouts on the roof. As the ceiling was not yet placed we had easy access from the interior of the building.  The lookouts will span almost one metre, offering protection for the future plaster layer of earth on the walls and shade for people and building. A nice aspect of this kind of wooden elements is that they perform a couple of functions at the same time.
In this case for example, the lookouts work as protection against sun and rain but they also reinforce the roof structure, especially on the corners. This multi-functionality is a key element in the theory of permaculture, I commented on before. Permaculture is in fact by definition not limited to agriculture but also embraces building, energy and water management, technology and even, if you prefer, socio-economic relationships.

Lookouts on the west corner.
OSB board on the right in position, on the left still to be placed.
Saturday 16:53

______________

The next step involved the construction of  the ceiling in the interior. First we applied a vapour barrier in the form of a special thick kind of paper to protect the infill of straw in the roof against condensation. Then we fixed the OSB boards (quality 3, thickness 18 mm). OSB is relatively environment-friendly and has actually a nice look and we won't probably apply any finish of paint or varnish.

OSB ceiling.
Sunday 17:27

______________

Once the lookouts and the OSB boards were in position we could start with the filling of the spaces between the rafters of the roof with flakes of straw.

Northern corner of the roof filled with straw.
Sunday 16:17

______________

Day length is distressingly short these days and we couldn't fill the whole roof with straw. At least we were able to get all OSB boards up the roof which will at least help maintain the protecting PE sheet straight and more effective.
Monday was terribly misty with a very fine drizzle coming down.

introduction
floristic catalogue
faunistic catalogue
contact
index
gallery 1: 2006-2012
gallery 2: 2012-
map
>> 2008 Dec 12
<< 2008 Nov 28