Proud father...ok not quite..but content strawbale builder, yes!
So I was browsing one of my usual web haunts recently when I came across an old project I worked on which I figured I should share. Not because I want kudos, but more to make a point and introduce some of you to the phenomenon that is strawbale construction.
About 2 years ago I volunteered with Amazonails to help with the construction of the Sworders Fine Art Auction Rooms. Basically it was a 4 day training course where you 'volunteer' to help with the construction of a strawbale building in return for gaining valuable sustainable building experience.
This project was by far the largest strawbale site I've ever worked on. A monster by usual strawbale standards. But it represented a milestone in construction in the UK, with Amazonails working with the architects to develop this showcase sustainable building.
During the course we were educated on the challenges strawbale builds face in the world of 'conventional' thinking that is mordern architecture. Whilst the strawbales could have provided the support for the structure, the architects sadly insisted that a timber framework be included in the construction. This in itself introduced some issues later on in the construction. Issues which were conveniently accomodated through the flexibility of strawbale building.
For me, this building represents change. The change necessary in conventional thinking in order to progress and discover. Architects, in the context of this build represent the conventional thinking that we adhere to because it's, "what we know", where as the introduction of a sustainable building material(straw) represents the inventive and progressive approach we need to take if we are to make the changes necessary to improve the ecological state of this planet.
Respect to Sworders Ltd for taking this step. As ever, my thanks and respect goes to the good folk at Amazonails. I look forward to working with them again.
The atmosphere and attitudes that Amazonails bring to a construction site are a massive shift from the norm. Something that I cannot fully cover in words. But I have to say that working with them was one of the finest working environments I have ever been in.
Before - the tidiest construction site in the world! http://www.strawbalefutures.org.uk/Stansted.html
After: http://www.sworder.co.uk/pages/new_saleroom.mhtml
And to put this building method into a language you can properly identify with, here's a wonderful home designed & built here in NZ (NZ showcase)
About 2 years ago I volunteered with Amazonails to help with the construction of the Sworders Fine Art Auction Rooms. Basically it was a 4 day training course where you 'volunteer' to help with the construction of a strawbale building in return for gaining valuable sustainable building experience.
This project was by far the largest strawbale site I've ever worked on. A monster by usual strawbale standards. But it represented a milestone in construction in the UK, with Amazonails working with the architects to develop this showcase sustainable building.
During the course we were educated on the challenges strawbale builds face in the world of 'conventional' thinking that is mordern architecture. Whilst the strawbales could have provided the support for the structure, the architects sadly insisted that a timber framework be included in the construction. This in itself introduced some issues later on in the construction. Issues which were conveniently accomodated through the flexibility of strawbale building.
For me, this building represents change. The change necessary in conventional thinking in order to progress and discover. Architects, in the context of this build represent the conventional thinking that we adhere to because it's, "what we know", where as the introduction of a sustainable building material(straw) represents the inventive and progressive approach we need to take if we are to make the changes necessary to improve the ecological state of this planet.
Respect to Sworders Ltd for taking this step. As ever, my thanks and respect goes to the good folk at Amazonails. I look forward to working with them again.
The atmosphere and attitudes that Amazonails bring to a construction site are a massive shift from the norm. Something that I cannot fully cover in words. But I have to say that working with them was one of the finest working environments I have ever been in.
Before - the tidiest construction site in the world! http://www.strawbalefutures.org.uk/Stansted.html
After: http://www.sworder.co.uk/pages/new_saleroom.mhtml
And to put this building method into a language you can properly identify with, here's a wonderful home designed & built here in NZ (NZ showcase)
Labels: my Thoughts, strawbale, sustainable building
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