How to Design & Build with How to Design & Build with Local & Natural MaterialsLocal & Natural Materials

By By

Elliott Elliott

RidgwayRidgway

What is Natural Building ?What is Natural Building ?

What is Natural building?

What are the tools?

What are the techniques?

What are the materials?

Where did they come from?

What is the total ecological foot-print for the structure?

What is the total economic handprint for thestructure?

Key Aspects of SustainabilityKey Aspects of Sustainability

I. Natural Laws

II. Quality Craftsmanship

III. Traditional Vernacular

IV. Integrative Design

V. Natural Materials

VI. Techniques

VII. Guiding Principles

Natural Laws of Physics & BiologyNatural Laws of Physics & Biology

1st & 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics

(Nothing is created/destroyed & Entropy)

Everything is Unique & Interconnected

Cause & Effect & Probabilities

Energy Conserve Reduce Reuse Recycle

Health in Diversity & Abundance

Fundamental Geometries & Patterns

Systems of scale

Traditional VernacularTraditional Vernacular

Local Labor & Materials

Traditional Tools & Building Techniques

Climate Appropriate

Proximity Cluster Village

Blend into Landscape

Build Incrementally

Emulate Natural Shapes & Patterns

Integrative DesignIntegrative Design

Stacking Functions

Passive Solar

Proximity & Access

Human Proportions

Efficient Use of Space

Easy Maintenance

Modular Furnishings

Healthy use of home

Natural MaterialsNatural Materials

Stone & Tile

Clay & Lime

Straw & Bamboo

Lumber & Plywood

Glues & Composites

Plaster & Paint

Hardware & Plumbing

Windows & Doors

Plants for Living Roofs

Salvage & Harvest MaterialsSalvage & Harvest Materials

Virtues of Scavenging: Save Time $$$ & Landfill Reuse On-site Materials Reclaim from local stores Shops & Neighbors Harvest clay, wood, stone Internet: CraigsList, Ebay Salvage & Dumpster-dive Re-purpose Old Furniture Donate, Recycle & Mulch

Natural Building TechniquesNatural Building Techniques

Building Pad DrainageFoundation & FloorWalls & SupportHeat & InsulationCeilings & roofsWindows & DoorsBuilt-in furniturePlaster & paint

Quality of CraftsmanshipQuality of Craftsmanship

Longevity

Adaptability

Durability

Tradition

Heritage

Innovation

Beauty & comfort

Pragmatic design

Guiding Principles of SustainabilityGuiding Principles of Sustainability

Appropriate Technology

Economic Hand print

Ecological Foot print

Social Fabric

Personal Empowerment

Community Empowerment

Appropriate TechnologyAppropriate Technology

Low tech & No techPassive & Natural LightWind & Solar PowerRadiant Floor HeatWater & Plumbing Efficient AppliancesTransportation

Economic Hand PrintEconomic Hand Print

• Abundance• Supply & Demand• Natural Limitations • Economy of scale• Energy Cycles• Input – Output• Cost-Benefit Analysis• Construction Costs• Maintenance & Utility• Rent Mortgage Taxes• Externalities

Ecological Foot PrintEcological Foot Print

Disturbance of Habitat

Resource Extraction

Manufacture Materials

Transport of Materials

Impact on Watershed

Use of Water & Power

Waste: Trash & Sewer

Demolition: End Use

Social FabricSocial Fabric• Public Domain• Labor Rights • Human Rights• Local & Global

Economic Systems• Walkable Cities • Public Transit• Safety & Security• 7 generations

Personal EmpowermentPersonal EmpowermentDo-It-Yourself Ethic

Learning Life Skills

Hands-on Process

Financial Empowerment

Self-Confidence

Self-Maintenance

Independence

Cottage Industry

Entrepreneur

Living One’s Values Everyday

Community EmpowermentCommunity Empowerment• Barn Raising work parties • Festivals & Events• Collaboration & Connection • Local Investment, Co-ops• Micro-lending, Credit Union• P-patches & Gardens • Playgrounds & Fields• Parks, Paths & Creeks• Community Center & Pool

Natural Building ProjectsNatural Building Projects

Chehalis Chehalis OvenOven

SummerSummer20022002

Finding Center Point For Oven

Brick Floor & Urbanite Foundation

Sand Form for Earthen Oven

Olympia Oven Autumn 2002Olympia Oven Autumn 2002

UrbaniteFoundationFor Oven & Bench

Thermal Mass Layer for Oven

Stone Bench

For Olympia

Oven

Bellevue Bellevue OvenOven

SpringSpring20042004

Stone CaveFor

FirewoodUnderOven

Sand Form and Brick Door

Newspaper Barrier for Sand Form

Thermal Mass / Insulation / Cob

Straw-Clay Insulation for Oven

EarthenPlaster

&StoneTile

Table

Shoreline Shoreline OvenOven

SpringSpring20052005

UrbaniteFoundation

ForOvenAnd

Bench

Packing Straw-Clay Insulation

SettingFireBrickFor

OvenFloor

SandFormAnd

ThermalMassLayer

Mixing StrawClayin a

Bucket

Straw-Clay & Cob Layers

Wallingford Oven

Wood Fired Pizza

Cob Sauna in Monteverde CR 2003

Sauna Site After Excavation of Clay

Stone Masonry for Foundation

Cob Sauna... Before Roof & Plaster

Stone Pool With Benches

Dead-man for Cob Wall

Curved Cob Wall for Sauna

Installing Window in Cob Wall

Wine Jug Window in Cob Wall

LowerCob

Bench For

Sauna

Spare GlassWindows

Stone SillsNichesAlcovesShelves

Clay Pile & Cob Mixing Area

Upper Cob Bench for Sauna

Timber FrameGringo Block

Cob WallBottle Windows

Stone Base

Chimney For Earthen Oven

Double Door Oven for Sauna

Plastering Oven & Earthen Floor

Sauna DoorsAnd

Windows

Earthen Plaster for Sauna Wall

Earthen Plaster for South Wall

Air Plants

Plastering Niches

Plaster Inside of Sauna

Sauna

Entrance

With

Clay

Plaster

Sauna Entrance w/ Lime Plaster

Pool Mosaic & Lime Plaster

Pangeality Studios 2007Pangeality Studios 2007

Installing Atrium Window

Installing East Window

Installing Loft Window

Caulking for Loft Window

Scrap Nails Connect to Wood

Straw-Clay & East Window Frame

West Window & Framing

Mixing Clay Slip

Cutting a Concave Curve

Linseed Oil on Oak Plywood

Curved Desk for Studio

Framing for Built-in Furniture

Salvaged Stone Hearth

LoftLadder

& CastIron

Stove

Reclaimed Oak Flooring

CedarCeiling

Truth Window

Less is More... More or Less

Golden Home DesignGolden Home DesignElliott RidgwayElliott Ridgway

Design Design

ConsultationConsultation

Presentation Presentation

ConstructionConstruction

206 588 – 1642 206 588 – 1642

mudoven@gmail.commudoven@gmail.comwww.goldenhomedesign.com

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