I’m looking for feedback on whether this is a viable workshop scenario. I think it would be great, but I want to see what level of interest there is out there for such a topic.
I envision a shorter workshop, perhaps 4 days long. The project is a roughly 700 ‘ long by 4 1/2′ tall privacy wall in Sante Fe, New Mexico. We would complete some foundation work (the exact style of foundation is yet to be determined and we’re open to feedback and suggestions on that as well), install with the first the bales and any toe ups that would be required, water proof it as necessary, install wire mesh work, and plaster the entire wall with one coat.
Of course, 4 days may be wishful thinking, but with enough people, we can do it all!
We would provide all the meals, bathroom facilities, and a place to camp. You’d just have to come, learn, and have fun. I don’t have a price figured out yet, but I imagine it would be somewhere around $450-$500.
Please let me know what you think and if you’d be interested in attending. I think it would be a blast!
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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January 14th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
I would very much like to come and see how to do it, but, cannot physically do heavy work, but my son would be willing and able to work. He is my worker for tasks requiring braun and I am obviously the idea person.
January 15th, 2010 at 11:11 am
It would be nice to be able to purchase a dvd of how to construct this SB landscape wall. Perhaps you could make the DVD during the workshop (if you have it) and add addition information as needed. 400-500 dollars would go along way towards purchasing the materials instead of attending a workshop. I would be happy to buy a reasonably priced DVD instead. Just a suggestion. Thanks.
Paul
January 15th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
I would attend the workshop. I want to build a wall this spring also.
January 15th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
You can probably count my uncle and I in on attending if is is in New Mexico.
January 16th, 2010 at 4:58 am
I agree with Paul, specific because I live in Hungary.I have been reading your newsletters for quiet a while now and find them very helpful for my projects.What about a E-book to download? Thanks.
January 16th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
I’m in Denver, Co,.. about a 6 hour drive away,.. so would be easy for me to come down and help, so I can learn the ropes! Count me in! Would try and talk my 13 year old son in coming as well,. although he’s not to interested in ‘work’ right now!
January 17th, 2010 at 5:07 am
Definitely interested in a DVD of the SB landscape wall building process and I would ask that you include information relevant to northern climes. Planning to build a wall this spring.
January 17th, 2010 at 8:54 am
I would attend.
January 17th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Very interested in a workshop, have 11 acres on a southern slope in the Great Basin (NV).
January 20th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
I would be interested in a DVD or maybe a shorter, lower cost workshop?
We built a strawbale house and are thinking of building a landscape wall but can’t decide between strawbale and earthbag. I am leaning toward earthbag because I worry that the straw will get wet since walls don’t have roofs to protect it. I live in eastern Idaho and we can get some heavy rain and a tremendous amout of snow.
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:17 am
We are spending all our time and money preparing for our workshop in Hico. Would buy the DVD though.
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:16 pm
This would be great. I would love to join in. Keep me posted.
January 24th, 2010 at 10:13 am
As a landscape contractor, building perimeter walls out of bale intrigues me. I have done some reading etc., and as another pointed out above, the top is the vulnerable portion of this structure (footing is important too but can be mitigated.) Clay roof tiles (??? $$$), roof felt between layers of clay/stucco on top of bales to sheet off water, but will still allow drying as vertical sides are still open to air……don’t know exactly.
DVD idea is also excellent, especially for single conceptual projects such as this. Whole house a possiblity too, just much larger production etc.
January 24th, 2010 at 11:45 am
A quick note about landscape walls and rain. In the end, it doesn’t matter if the bales rot out because they are not used as insulation. They are basically forms for the plaster work. The plaster will be placed on the bales and over a mesh netting. The plaster, with the embedded netting, will be strong enough without the bales should they rot out entirely. That said, the use of either 6mil plastic, or rubber pond liner over the top of the bales will go a long way to minimize the rot. If the sides of the bales get wet, that’s no big deal at all. It’s really the water soaking down into the tops of the bales that cause problems.
I think the DVD is a great idea and I hope top make that happen with this project. It looks like the workshop will take place. I’m just going to figure out the details with the host and then I’ll make an announcement and post the date on my workshop website (www.StrawBaleWorkshops.com).
Don’t forget that I do have a DVD on SB home construction already. A whole series in fact. You can find those at http://www.LearnStrawBale.com.
January 27th, 2010 at 9:02 am
Hi Andrew,
I need my 4′tall wall to be infilled with dirt on one side. Right now, my elevated driveway is held back by UGLY crumbled rock that we and our neighbors hate. It’s a 150 ft. driveway. Would strawbale work for this if I used concrete (or other) stucco with waterproofing on the infill side? I might want to do 2 stepped walls with a strip of garden between them. Love the videos I have already purchased from you, and would definitely purchase a landscape wall video as well. Thanks again!
January 28th, 2010 at 8:32 am
Hi Rick. I would not bother using bales if the wall is to be burried. Bales don’t do well below grade. I imagine with one side exposed, you could be okay, but I’m not sure what the purpose of using the bales would be. You might be better off using some type of reinforced earth/cob. A little cement mixed in with some earth and some proper design could be successful. There’s a LOT of weight in dirt and I don’t know that a bale wall would be strong enough (out of plane direction/perpendicular to length of wall) to support the dirt load. You may need to go with concrete, stacked rock, or masonry for that job. That would certainly be a much more predictable and safer way to build that project.
March 13th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Thanks Andrew for considering my DVD request. I will definately buy it. I’m experienced with construction and have been studying SB construction techniques for quite awhile. I have also helped build several SB homes in Colorado. I am a draftsman and a manufacturing engineer by trade. A good instructive DVD that illistrates the finer points is all I need to get started.
Paul