straw bale building in Nottingham

karl | 26.06.2006 20:07 | Ecology

Pictures from day 3 of the straw bale building week at eco works Nottingham.

previous days work

sand

lime

chopping the sand and lime 1

chopping the sand and lime 2

trampling 1

trampling 2

applying the render 1

applying the render 2

applying the render 3

applying the render 4

applying the render 5

foundations for next stage 1

foundations for next stage 2

foundations for next stage 3

Day 3 of the work saw the rendering of the straw bales that went up over winter and some finishing touches to the foundations of the area that will be baled later this week.

The render is 3 parts sand to 1 part lime. It is first chopped togeather in the wheel barrow before being transferred to the bath for mixing by foot.

The mixing by foot can take up to one hour to get all the ingredients thoroughly mixed and the right consistancy. To check for consistancy put a small amount on a wet float and see if it sticks when turned upside down, if it does it is ready.

The bare walls are lightly sprayed with water to help the mixture stick to it. The mixture is then applied by hand and pushed into the straw. This layer needs to be fairly thin or it wont stick.

In total there will be 3 to 4 layers applied in total.

karl

Comments

Hide the following 4 comments

Mixing it

27.06.2006 17:36

Was that hydraulic lime or lime putty? Why didn't you use a mixer? much quicker than faffing about for an hour chopping and stamping and just as effective. If its because of "eco-friendly" considerations (electrcity/petrol consumption) get an old mixer, disconnect the motor and weld three or four metal bars on to the drum then pull the bugger round by hand.

Matt

re mixing

28.06.2006 19:51

Unfortunately a mixer won't work because it cannot chop the lime putty to mix it with the sharp sand. Its not like mixing granular/powdered sand and cement. So in the end you just have to trample it.

Gulliver

Top stuff yet again!

30.06.2006 23:07

I'm going to be building a hut in a top secret location soon. I'll document it likewise step-by-step.

Oh, anyone got any good ideas for eco-friendly dampcoursing? Tarps are cheap enough but I resent using plastics.

M
mail e-mail: prinzerle@hotmail.com

dampcourse

01.07.2006 20:24

How about slate (real slate?) - it's the traditional dampcourse material...alternatively, how about reclaimed plastic?

UK Indymedia