The Autumn 2001 workshop covered the construction of straw-clay walls including formwork and earth plastering. Evening lectures explored 'green' design and building materials and solar hot water system basics.
The Workshop Group
First lesson: learning to build formwork
Mr. Henry Smith works the tight spots.
Evenings were for lectures and discussions
Heidi stomping
Using a landscape shredder-blower to chop straw for plaster and floors
Team stomp
John shows us his technique for mixing straw-clay in the feed mill. First the clay...
...then the straw. However, the auger would tangle with long straw. Then we'd go...
"mixer-diving" to clear the clogged auger. The problem was mostly solved when...
...we started using an antique hay knife to cut the bales in half.
