I am interested in helping create straw bale construction in South Africa and a gentleman has recently contacted me with that inspiration. I am using this blog as an invitation to start a conversation about how to make this dream a reality. Any input is appreciated. I have suggested an introductory workshop. What are your thoughts?
About the Author
Andrew Morison is a specialist in straw bale and green construction. He has shown thousands of people how to build their own straw bale projects through his comprehensive series of instructional straw bale, concrete foundation, and plastering DVDs. You can check these out at http://www.LearnStrawBale.com.com.
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March 5th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Have you considered making a proposal to Habitat International? I would think this would be a natural for areas of the globe that have few forest resources for traditional stick built homes. Many of the international build projects have volunteers from around the globe, so you would be spreading your skills globally.
March 5th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I work Architectural Technologist/Designer and I think Straw Bale construction has HUGE potential in South Africa. South Africans though are a tad hard headed (I should know, I am one) and they struggle with stereotypes. Nontheless if I could get my hands on a serious introductory workshop I am there like a bear as they say. I am so confident about the possibilities that I am thinking of building my own house and using it as the back bone for my envisioned business.
It will mainly be aimed at the “developing” market in SA but also at the seriously green minded. As you all know SA has a grevious housing problem. And here there might be part of a solution.
March 5th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
This is exactly the thought. How to help with the major housing problems. I really hope that we can make the workshop a reality and move this forward. I love the idea of engaging Habitat International as well. I bet we can marry the two levels of enthusiasm together and get something accomplished.
Thanks for the input. Keep the inspiration coming folks!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Some excelent comment and suggestions.
I am that genterman that Andrew spoke of, work with many smallholder sugarcane farmers in SA (30 000) and would love to explore the possibility of using the sugarcane biomass as a fibre material that can be incorporated into some form of bonded brick. Construction is mostly considdered in the rural areas and would be of the round ‘rondavel’ type with thatch grass roofing. There is a further need to retain cultural construction but incorporating durable material that is ‘green’ and eco friendly. I realy like the idea of involving Habitat. It would be great if we could sponsor an opportunity for Andrew to visit here and transfer some skills and experience.
March 6th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
I think the key for this to succeed is for the movement to be embraced and managed by local leaders. While you have the expertise, they would have the contacts and supports. In my community there is a school that has international students come for a 8-12 month period and learn about co-operatives, microfinancing, etc. The focus is more on social movements than physical development but it is easier to have health centers and schools if there is a place for people to meet. This school, The Coady, may have some great resources http://www.coady.stfx.ca as well as links in SA.
March 6th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
The universities might be a good place to get connected to as well. Some of the universities have community outreach programs, including those communities in the townships (I was involved with such a program at the university in Port Elizabeth).
In addition, some NGOs might be interested in strawbale projects.
March 6th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
I would love to attend a workshop if available in South Africa – have been inspired by straw bale for ever! – a friend of mine in Barrydale is building at the moment and I have seen several straw bale homes in Orania…
March 6th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Hi all.
I am based in South Africa, and have been very interested in the construction of a straw bale home, as I believe we have some of the most ideal conditions. I would welcome a workshop on straw bale construction, and would really appreciate if a workshop is organised. What about Andrew coming out for the initial workshop. I am sure that through the outdoor magazines the course could be filled to capacity.In fact he could probably have multiple courses throughout the country.
May I also suggest that you publish sites that show how to build solar heating etc. I believe it will attract more people to your site, and fulfill a holistic approach to going green.
March 7th, 2009 at 4:43 am
Hi Andrew, Thanks for the response on the hydraulic lime. It seems I will have to use hydrated lime instead of hydraulic lime. With regard to your request for someone to assit you in South Africa, there are quite a number of guys who are very keen and serious about strawbale building. I agree with Adam, the problem is that we stil have some hard headed South Africans that are not covincable about the advantages of strawbale building. I am in a proccess of trying to get to the people in goverment that need to be covinced about all the advantages. I am allso involve with a guy who already build a house in the Northan Cape and others as well. We will meet shortly. To what I have experienced so far, I would say that if we realy want to change the minds and lack of knowledge in South Africa we must arrange a workshop with you in South Africa in order to form a stragety. I am very keen about strawbale building and what I have learned from you. I am still bussy with my lapa for a braai and the project is is coming on very nicly. The only problem is the lime that we need to sort out. I understand the importance of breathing and therefor we need to sort out the ratio of HYDRATED lime with sand. Please inform me what the 2 , 3.5 and 5 for hydraulic lime means, may be that will help me to get the right hydrated lime. The older generation knows very well about the use of lime for building but they are not familiare with the latest knowledge and what we are talking about in the sence of breathing. Anyone out there please help with use of the right hydrated lime. Greetings Barnie, South Africa
March 7th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I would suggest you talk to the folks at http://www.palimeworks.com/lwus/. I bet they can answer this question better than I can. Let them know I sent you.
I am excited about the level of communication on this topic and I would love to do a workshop in SA to help out. Let’s see if we can’t make that happen. Perhaps there is a good way to push this forward and fill it up with as many local people as possible. Perhaps there is a way to keep costs down and thus make it more available. I would be willing to lower or remove my fees just to have the opportunity to come and be of service. I would need someone to pay my way and take care of me once I am there…Let’s keep talking!
March 8th, 2009 at 1:40 am
Your quick response makes it so much easier to speed up things. Thank you so much. Because of the bad economy etc it will be very difficult to find a sponsor for you to come to S.A. and from my side I wont be able to finance such an event either but maybe Tony Bartlett or Adam can help or know someone here in the S.A. that feel the same as we do that is willing to sponsor us and get involve. Hi Tony, Marin and Adam , I am from Pretoria and glad to hear from you. Hopefully someone in S.A. read this and come up with the finance. I am realy as eager and we need to get Andrew out here. Andrew there are problems with construction here in S.A but we can overcome it once you here. Most important it must be low cost housing. Thanks for palimeworks, I will contact them first thing in the morning. Power is the next priority that goes with low cost housing.Greetings Barnie
March 8th, 2009 at 11:41 am
G ‘ day Andrew
There are several straw bale homes now in South Africa and the person to contact there who has done a lot of the ground work is Andy Horn (architect) in Cape Town.
http://www.ecodesignarchitects.co.za
We will be back in Cape Town and Nairobi later this year. If anyone needs Andy’s contact details email me johnatglassford.com.au.
We are also working on straw bale workshops for Kenya and are currently talking with the Kenyan Government. The housing situation in sub-saharan Africa is dire and needs straw bale, I agree. However as an African one has to realise that unless straw bale is seen as an upmarket product and used by Europeans then it will and is a hard sell.
Feel free to contact me for photos of straw bale in South Africa if they are of any use. You can also read about Andy Horn in The Last Straw not sure which edition.
Kind regards John Glassford Huff ‘n’ Puff Constructions.
Ganmain NSW Australia.
March 10th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Hi Barnie, good luck with the lapa. Sounds like it is coming on nicely.
Although I do not know Andy Horn personaly I know about him. I also know that he has written on the subject and has recently won an international award for his work on alternative construction methods. John Glassford, you can correct me if I’m wrong with this info.
John’s remark on the “hard sell” issue is very true. People just simple do not have the information to make a decision on something like straw bale construction. Especially in South Africa. Luckily the green bandwagon is sexy at the moment and energy cost is set to soar in South Africa and maybe the whole world. So how to use all the things in our favour to make the public, architects and goverments more aware and open to straw bale construction?
Somewhere, like Australia,the US and maybe Europe, this has been adressed and we could probably use some of the “marketing” that was used in those arenas.
What if we start a conversation with The Green Building council of South Africa
http://www.gbcsa.org.za/home.php
Habitat for humanity, South African goverment and specialists like Andrew, Andy and John. We could even strike a blow for Africa at large IF we can structure it correctly and get it some airtime.
Would it not be great to have people like Andrew, Andy and John together? Learning from each other and teaching others?
Lets see how resourcefull we can be with this one.
Kind regards,
Adam
March 10th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
G ‘day Adam
Good thinking mate and I am sure that somehow we will all get together and do some positive work in Africa. Those that need shelter the most do not have a lot of space to build. In fact thsoe who need it most live in townships and space is at a premium. This will need a lot of thought as you may know that corruption is rife.
I know about corruption as it cost me once just to get my drivers licence and I was 16. Last trip in Kenya the highway patrol were on the take at every road block. Re corruption on the housing side; I was given a wink and a nod re building in Kenya. The wink was to say you build me a nice house and the nod would be given!
So it is not an easy task we embark on. However the need is huge. Plenty of straw in South Africa and Kenya. Also Joe Kennedy from Builders Without Borders, New Mexico, is doing some straw bale work in South Africa. I will follow him up one day soon.
We visited many townships in South Africa and also went to Kenya and spent time in the Mathare slums of Nairobi:
http://theork.com/?m=200803
My other hat is Rotary and the above web site will give you an idea of the conditions and what we are doing for some of the the orphans, now 12 million in sub-Saharan Africa. The orphans need shelter above all.
The potential to provide great shelter for Africa with straw bales is enormous. The road will be a hard one but well worth it in the end. Let us keep talking and thanks Andrew for the opportunity to discuss this here on your web site.
All the best.
John Glassford.
March 11th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Hi Adam and John. Thanks or your response.We share the same feelings about green and strawbale buildng and I believe we together can make a difference. John I certainly would like to see the photos and anything els that can provide us with more information and knowledge. Adam I also have the Green Building Councel idea but we need to be armoured with experience and professional knowledge for this and that is where I support your idea to get people like Andrew, Andy and John together. That is also why I said we need financial support for such a workshop. Do you guys perhaps have friends who is willing and prepare to come on board for this very important matter. This is also an invitation to anyone who is interested in this project and can make a positive contribution. Greetings Barnie.
March 11th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
As a South African myself, I have been very enthusiastic about straw bale construction and its possibilities for South Africa. My husband and I hope to some day build our own straw bale house (although we now live in the USA). Andrew’s wealth of knowledge has been a great source of information and inspiration to us!
Spreading the knowledge of straw bale construction in South Africa would be wonderful, and I believe could be very helpful in providing cost-effective housing for people in townships. Habitat for Humanity has been building houses around the country, specifically in Cape Town and Kwazulu-Natal. I think the people at Habitat will be able to provide valuable information regarding the housing crisis and how to approach this overwhelming problem. However, space is an issue and with straw bale construction typically taking more space, this would have to be carefully designed. But it has been done in Japan which has very little space!
As far as spreading the enthusiasm of straw bale construction among South Africans other than the poor, I believe there will be great interest. However, until now it has not been made known, and little or no literature is available to the people. Education and exposure will go a long way. I have spread the word among family and friends and know of a few houses around Cape Town that are owner-built straw bale houses.
Also, contacting an architecture/landscape architecture department at a university (e.g. University of Cape Town) would be a good idea.
Clarity is needed regarding the focus of Andrew’s workshop, because if I look at the above comments, it looks like there are two different goals being discussed, one being the housing problem regarding the poor, and the other, spreading straw bale construction knowledge to South Africans who want to build their own straw bale homes.
In general, South Africa has perfect weather and lots of straw. South Africans, I believe, will welcome a workshop to learn the techniques of straw bale construction. Our country will be happy to receive you, Andrew!
March 11th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I think Lisette raises a good point about focus. It is easy for us to talk about all of the impacts we would like to make and I don’t, in any way, suggest that such talk is not a powerful thing to do. I am a strong believer in the power of thought and manifestation. That said, i would like to see us come together with some specific ideas of how to move forward and then see if any one of you/us has the desire to step up and start the ball rolling.
I am a firm believer in “both/and” as opposed to “either /or.” What this means to me is that we can both teach people how to build with bales and spread the word about SB construction at the same time. I believe that a hands on workshop would be a great asset for people who want to build their own house and that the same workshop could be a marketing point for spreading the concept to new people who may not have previous knowledge of the construction method.
As I have said, I would gladly donate a week of my time to teaching if my travel and board are paid for. I am not in a financial position to pay my own way. I hope the ideas keep coming and that specific action is created out of this conversation.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
G ‘ day Lisette
Well said.
I have no problems with anything that has been said so far. As I said earlier we hope to be in South Africa and Kenya sooner than later. I am also talking with Kenya at the moment re straw bale housing.
As soon as I know when we are likely to go back to Africa I can plan a workshop or three. If anyone wants to join us no worries. What I propose is to run a paying custom workshop for the Kenyan Government followed by subsidised or free workshops for those that need it most, this is in Kenya.
When this happens I will do my best to coordinate the visit to Kenya with one to South Africa as well. I also have a lot of Rotary work in both countries to do for AIDS orphans. Including a medical care centre in Hout Bay not out of straw bales though.
Keep talking you have my commitment which has always been there since I met Mama Amelia Poswa in Cape Town who wanted a straw bale orphanage for her 96 orphans. However the problem in those days was the Cape Town City Council.
I will do my best to keep up on this discussion.
Barnie I have plenty of photographs of various buildings that we have constructed over the past 13 years on our web site and many more not up on our web site. Have a look around and let me know what you want and I will send them to you.
All for now and let us keep talking.
John Glassford.
March 13th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I have been keen on this for Africa. It just makes total sense, as grass they have in abundance. Because I am long involved in projects in South Sudan and Liberia, I agree that because it is not perceived as acceptably western that limits its enthusiastic reception especially those who are hide bound traditionalists. However, there are people who are unafraid…they know it is cutting edge, appropriate, and therefore worth doing.
I vote that the project be a funded workshop. That way community folks can participate and enter in without having to pay bucks they simply do not have, and the workshop experts can cover their expenses.
We have sites bought and permission given to build a school/cafeteria/auditorium with the strawbale in Liberia and South Sudan, but we lack the experienced builders.
Currently I am pursuing funding to create a new Strawbale industry in Africa through the EU. I would like to partner with folks like Andrew and John and so if the project qualifies, we can write a through proposal for the funds needed. I think the one I foresee for South Sudan needs some kind of a portable Baler that is mechanical. Am I right? Is there such an animal?
Our connections in Liberia and South Sudan allow us to be able to get right to the folks on the ground, and avoid having to go through the government with any funding, but there will be huge interest in whatever we do.
So anyone interested in South Sudan or Liberia if we get funding? My 501c3 would not allow me to apply for South Africa where I do not personally have a relationship with a trusted partner and organization. Kenya is, however, a possibility.
March 13th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
G ‘ day Pat
Good work mate. We would be interested in helping as you already know. The time involved would be several weeks I take it to be effective. Let me know what time of the year you propose to set something up. I have no problem with your proposed funded workshops. If I can tie it in with the Kenyan and South African visit (no dates yet) that will make it easier.
Feel free to contact me at any time I am on Skype if that is of any use. Southern Sudan would be a real challenge however I am up for it. Also Liberia would be an excellent place to build in straw bale.
Most balers are portable and require a tractor to operate them. I am proficient in baling as I used to do it for a living once. In the highlands of Kenya there is plenty of wheat grown and I am sure that we could get good bales from there to the Sudan. lLst time I was any where near the Southern Sudan it was a desert near the NFD of Kenya.
We are also developing a mobile tilt-up straw panel factory. These panels are 8 foot x 4 foot by 8 inches thick and could be one answer to space. We have the prototypes made so far and it looks promising.
Anyhow let us keep talking.
John Glassford
61 2 6927 6027
Skype john.susan.glassford
March 16th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Hi All
I have just built my labourers two bedroom unit with strawbales. Only thing left to do is to plaster it. Busy doing my research. I stay north of Pretoria close to the Roodeplaat Dam.
The biggest strawbale construction in the Southern Henisphere is a lodge close to where I stay and the Rust De Winter Dam. Check it out at http://www.didimala.co.za
March 16th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Wow! What an amazing place. Seems like a great showcase for the technique. It is a bit above the scale of what I would intend for affordable housing, but it could be a great backdrop for “selling” the concept to those in power.
March 16th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Andrew
Nelson Mandela and our State President actually have some of their conferences there and have seen the place.
As you say the place is WOW and I think that they do not make the link to affordable housing. Maybe it just takes someone to make the link for them and sell it to them, that will open more doors for strawbale construction.
March 17th, 2009 at 2:16 am
Hi Andrew I just spoke to the builder of Didimala. Amazing. Told me quite a lot of important stuff that Henry Scott should know before start plastering. His knowledge of SB building in S.A. is fantastic. Speak later Greetings Barnie
March 17th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
G ‘ day Barnie and Henry
Susan and I had lunch at Didimala and it is an impressive buildng or buildings. We would have preferred that they used an earthen render as we find cement renders to be a problem with cracking and moisture.
There would be plenty of good earth around and I know that Andy Horn uses South African clays out of the foundations.
Anyhow please getback to me on my email john@glassford.com.au when you guys are ready for some planning action. I can reply via this forum however we need to be prudent and discussions need to be private in the early days so as to evolve a plan without prejudice.
We could make up a planning committee with all interested parties joining in. Action is required and so is time and money to make it all happen.
Kind regards John Glassford.
March 18th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Henry great news,and that is what I said before, we just need that someone to make the link. I will speak to the owner of didimala again, maybe Nelson had some positive comments about the buildings that can help.
April 16th, 2009 at 3:44 am
Hi Andrew and others,
We have been investigating and gathering information for about 3 years now, and plan to start building the first of two homes in the next few months.
Our materials have been sourced, the site has been cleared, and we are ready to break ground.
We would be very interested in such a workshop, or perhaps even hosting it, as we have more than enough space for “experimentation” (about 21 hectares, or 50 acres), and some very good natural resources on-site and nearby.
We also have an existing Adobe building in need of repair, so a workshop that includes “rehabilitation” would be of interest to us.
Kind Regards,
Eleni Hatjigiannakis
Cape Town
April 16th, 2009 at 4:10 am
Just to comment on the “needs” vs. “exposure” aspect -
South Africa can gain enormous benefit from straw-bale construction. The method is sound, no doubt about that. The problem we face in South Africa is that the poorest of the poor have a fixation with living in a *BRICK* house. This is the biggest potential hurdle in South Africa. The key will be to create houses that *look* like brick houses, with superior comfort levels to what is currently being provided. The current low-cost houses are usually built with concrete blocks, which makes for freezing winters, and general poor insulation.
We live in a farming community, and our long-term aim is to build our home as a “showcase” to other people who are keen to try “something new”. One of the potential focus areas is the “labour housing” – if we can convince (and assist) a few farmers to construct their staff accommodation with straw, we start creating families who can feel and experience the benefits of the method, who in turn talk to others, making a straw-bale home a sought-after option. We eventually want to do this on our own property, much like Henry, with semi-detached units of around 65 sq. meters per living space, sharing a middle wall.
Kind Regards,
Eleni Hatjigiannakis
Cape Town
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:09 am
I’ve been doing some strawbale buildings over the years -www.strawbaleafrica.co.za – if you have questions, need help give me a call on 072 130 57 07
April 27th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Thanks Philippe. Nice to have your voice heard!
April 30th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Hi Andrew
Thank you for a great site to learn about strawbale buildings. I find them fascinating and beautiful constructions. We live on a farm in Darling and I want to build a chapel on the farm from strawbales. We lost our son in an accident this will be for him. We want to start in the summer when it is dry here and with new bales after the harvesting season. Hope you come out to RSA someday soon wiould like to do a workshop with you. Thank you to all the other people in SA who offer their assitance and knowledge, will make a note of them to contact.
Kind regards
Karen Basson
Lelieblom Farm
Darling
April 30th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
To Eleni, maybe you could contact us and we could do a workshop on the farm here in Darling, we have space but we can talk if you are interested. It is centrally situated to Cape Town and other towns. Just an idea.
Kind regards
Karen Basson
Lelieblom
Darling
082 573 7736
May 1st, 2009 at 9:15 am
Hi Karen. I would love to come down and help on such a special project. Hopefully it is something that can come to fruition for us.
May 3rd, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Hi Andrew, That would be WOW!!!
Kind regards
Karen
May 4th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
OK Given all the interest and the many communications in this over the past few months, I guess it is time to draw it to a logical conclusion.
IS THERE A PERSON OUT THERE who has the passion and time to devote to preparing a (project)proposal for a w/shop to be held in South Africa (I suggest the proposed project of Karen Basson in building a church in the Western Cape)in the summer say November or December 2009? or may be early 2010.
I am keen to attach this w/shop to some in depth discussions by technical people on how this use of organic bio mass could be promoted as a practice change in South African building and for this the Universities may need to be involved, as well as ‘Habitat for Humanity’ who if approached through the corerect channel may be willing to partner in funding Andrews visit to South Africa.
Please keep the comments and interest flowing it is helpful to see who is already involved in these things and who may be able to step up to the plate here to make this a reality.
May 7th, 2009 at 5:17 am
also interested in strawbale building,Im from the townships and know the housing backlock first hand,can contribute with time since Im not employed,hope I can acquire skill of building with strawbale
May 7th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Hi Martin, Andrew, I am very excited about this venture, may it become a reality!! If I had the expertise I would certainly have offered to help with the proposal for a workshop, but I wouldn’t know where to start, under a the guidance of a mentor would be very interested to help. Keep in mind.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Hello to you both. I am very able in terms of mentoring what it takes to host a workshop; however, I don;t know enough about the local culture or dynamics to be of much use in organizing the numerous agencies and people mentioned in this concept. I hope someone will step up to keep this train moving forward.
May 7th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Thank you Andrew, I am very teachable and if we can all team up, me, Martin, you, John Glassford and who has also communicated with me, I am sure we can get the train on a fast track. All to the benfit of mankind and upliftment and beautiful homes all over the place!!I am excited and look forward to what comes from this.
May 11th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Karen I like your Exitement but funding is our main problem. Exept for that we are dealing with stubben heads. As I have said before Here in South Africa we have to approach the right people from a nother angle. We need someone up higher. I cannot find such a person and already cried for help in my previous letters without any respons. I am busy solving the problem with NHL and will hopefully have a solution shortly. Karen I hope you find the right person. There are quite a number of sb projects in South Africa.
May 16th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Hi Andrew, Martin,John, we must not slow down, we should make a concerted effort to meet and disdcuss a workshop into existence!!The far-away people can join in on the discussion via internet etc. Martin you and I are closest to each other, lets get the ball rolling… I am sure we will have no trouble getting a workshop booked out we must just put our minds to it and get going. Looking forward to your responses, I am willing and ready to work with you. You tell, I do! hope we can all work together on this one.
May 18th, 2009 at 9:34 am
We can use Skype for those who have it to connect on line. I have never used it but finally have a fast enough internet connection to try it out. I like the passion. Let me know when you want to “meet.”
May 18th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Barnie,
I had a master lime plasterer in my last workshop. He said that you can basically “make” NHL from regular lime by adding 4-5% brick dust. I will ask him to write down the details for me and will post it soon. I think this could be a solution for the NHL problem. It is much cheaper to do this way, and is basically the same product chemically speaking. The consistency and clean quality of NHL will not be as tight because of the process and lack of industrial oversight on the production line.
June 7th, 2009 at 6:08 am
Thanks a mil Andrew. This is the best news for a very long time. I will be pleased if you can send me the details for the NHL. The ratio is very important. Andrew I do skype a lot and would like to talk to you. Karen as for you, this is also very important and you cannot plaster without this information.
June 17th, 2009 at 5:50 am
Hi John, Can you please give some feedback on the 8×4 foot tilt-up-pannels.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Hi Andrew, if we can raise a sponsor for your air ticket, you can stay with us for free, I refer to one of your comments in March, where you mentioned you are willing to lower or remove your fees if we could get you out here and a place to stay, well the place tostay is here for you and the church a project to get started on for the workshop, there is so much interest, why don’t we who are already eager just get together and go for it instead of waiting for some grand scheme to materialise from wherever, like the Nike ad says “JUST DO IT” and strangely enough things have a mysterious way of working out! We will have to wait for summer because we need fresh dry bales and everything is wet and muddy now, but we can get together in the meantime and do the planning for such an event, lets get our behinds into gear, what do you think, instead of just talking and taliking and sounding marvelous and grand, start getting our hands dirty. With the Lord nothing is impossible to those who dare to believe!!
Kind regards
Karen, Darling South Africa
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Hi Barnie, yes we also have skype, without the camera!!but we can chat via text, would love to have the info on the plastering, even if I have to build this litle church all by myself, and believe me I am not knowledgeable at all but mighty willing and stubborn, so let me know when you have the info re the plastering. (ref your commnet 7/06)
Kind regards and thank you for remembering me
Karen
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:57 am
That’s great Karen. Thank you. This all sounds good to me. Here’s what I would like to suggest. It’s something I am doing in Guatemala as well. We offer the workshop to a group of say 20-25 people. Half of those spots are held open for local folks whom I would teach to build their own, sustainable housing. The other half are held for paying participants who want to travel to SA and learn from me in that setting. I use the money raised through the paying participants to get myself there and support my other costs (I’d love to bring my family so my kids could have this experience as well). If, for whatever reason, I don;t get any paying participants, then the “held” spots would be given to more local people who would attend for free and then my travel expense would need to be paid by a fund raiser or some other idea. What do you think?
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Hi Andrew
Sounds great and right to me. Now we must just get started and a date I need to get the info on what and how much of it I will need (Materials) to build this little church.
Stay in touch.
Kind regards
Karen
July 1st, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Hi Karen
It has been a while since I contributed to this discussion. Have been busy with my day job of earning and income
but I have been following discussions.
I have found a strawbale building course being conducted in JHB on the 25th July if you are interested. See this link:
http://www.goinggreen.co.za/upcoming-green-events/african-notice-board/details/175-strawbalenatural-building-course-cpd-reg.html
Regards
Henry
July 27th, 2009 at 3:25 am
Hi Henry
Thank you so much for the info. Yea that is our problem too, the daily grind to earn a living, which I do from Landscaping and my very new little restaurant that i run from my renovated barnhouse.
I have been in contact with Martin Eweg and Lanie Olivier (who lives quite close) and she has made contact with somebody in Gauteng who is prepared to come down to the Cape to do a course here for us, we spoke about it yesterday and hopfully we will have something going soon and the church will stand in all its glory at the end of the year or Jan 2010. Martin is also quite keen to assist and has contacted Habitat for Humanity, so the ball is rolling…
Hope to meet you someday.
Kind regards
K
July 29th, 2009 at 1:22 am
Andrew. Along the line somewhere you spoke about mixing the sand with NHL. I cannot remember whether you said the playground sand must be a washed sand and clear of particles and whether you said it must be natural sand and not be washed. All Playground sand is not neccesarily washed and clean.
Karen. You can also contact Allister and Sonja at 0835657384 INSYNCH. SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLIGIES in Muldersdrift Johannesburg. They do Straw Bale building and other techniques.See there Web. Greetings.Greetings.
July 29th, 2009 at 3:53 am
I have remained in contact with some people on this site and the suggestion is now that Karen begin preparing this as a project with a little help from some friends. It is proposed taht the church/chapple be built in early 2010, and that we considder signing GREEN celebrities up for a fee to cover the cost of getting Andrew out to SA. I have not had suitable response from H for H but will continue with the request.
Please notify Karen if you wish to be a part of the building team so she can put a contact list together.
I have another friend in CapeTown Lisa who is keen to get involved and maybe she and Karen can talk.
July 29th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Barnie,
The sand needs to be clean of debris, so washed is a good idea. It should be sharp sand if possible and of several different grades. Here in the States, I use concrete sand rather than mortar sand as it is more graded and sharp. Play sand works as well as long as there are several grades within it. Good luck.
August 5th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
KAREN,
It is clear, there are people that is more then willing to help. Keep us posted.
August 19th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Hi there!
Wow what an epic marathon discussion we have stumbled upon – how have things developed since the last posting on 5 August?
We are situated in the Eastern Cape in South Africa and have been working on plans for an Eco-Centre for some years now. We have just recently moved from Port Elizabeth to East London and are in the process of trying to find a site to locate the centre. The plans have essentially been completed, but we need to find a new site. You can read about it on our website: http://www.goinggreen.co.za/gg-eco-centre.html. The team of architects we worked with (including Andy Horn from Eco-Design and Edwin from Dumani Architects re: the Didimala Lodge mentioned above – and others) will be very interested in this discussion – we will send a link to them as well.
We agree with many of the sentiments in this dialogue and also feel that these buildings must first be seen as “enviable” before they will be accepted. This has definitely been the case e.g. with the uptake of solar photovoltaic panels in the rural areas where this high-end item is seen as something you get when you can’t have “real” electricity. We actually see this as the main idea behind the Eco-Centre – to link the 1st and 3rd worlds – tourism, skills transfer, job creation etc. East London, being right on the edge of the developed and developing world is the ideal spot for such a centre.
Karen, we like the spirit there!
Please feel free to contact us! You are also very welcome to list the workshop on our website – no costs involved – there is an Upcoming Green Events section as Henry has already mentioned.
August 20th, 2009 at 12:55 am
Hi
I am an architect working in Cape Town and have been designing and building straw bale structures for more than 11 years now. My first was a house for Sandra Prinsloo in Veloerenvlei and was completed in 1998. My most recent project was in Barrydale and we did the baling in April. I have developed my own system that involves a dipping / pre-coating method that greatly sppeds overall construction and makes for a very solid construction.See under projects on our web site http://www.ecodesignarchitects.co.za I have verified over 40 Straw bale structures in nearly 30 different municipalities South Africa. I have written 2 manuals on the subject (available through our web site). Habitat for humanity know about Straw Bale and earth building but are unable to build any in South Africa due to the NHBRC (National Housing Building Regulatory Council, which all of their houses must be registered through. There is a real need for government attitudes to change towards natural building materials. If someone could fund the certification of Straw bale construction through the Agreement Board or specifically in the Natiuonal Building Regulations then the NHBRC would be forced to accept such alternate construction methods. National building regulations currently only cater for natural building methiods through its “Deemed to Satisfy” clause. The truth of it is not in the interests of big buisness like the brick and cement inductries to free up the market for people to build as we used to – with locally available natural materials.
thoughts for now.
-Andy Horn
June 5th, 2010 at 4:55 am
Hi Bale Home Community
We live in a Game Reserve close to the Kruger Park in South Africa, we also have sugar cane farms that burn all their leaves off the cane. This of course effects the communities health out here. I am sure this is a natural waste and they are losing plenty of Rands by doing this…surely the leaves of the sugar cane can also be processed to create bails or bricks as mentioned. Perhaps people are not aware of the money that can be made as well as more job creation? Burning is quick and easy?? Also introducing bail homes here in the Game Reserves would be an excellent benefit to Nature Conservation in the Kruger Park as well as neighbouring Game Reserves. I would love to build a bail home here but not sure if I would get a home loan for the project. Bail homes are not recognised for some unknown illogical reason.
Regards M.dos Santos
June 8th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Greetings and thanks for writing. I hope that you are able to get funding for your project. There are several straw bale homes in South Africa, so it may not be as hard as you imagine. Let me know if you think I can help you.