This course provides students with a comprehensive exploration of all facets of creating an energy efficient, climate-specific natural structure. In this two-week intensive, we will engage in studio sessions, hands-on construction experience, lectures, slide shows, and site tours. In the studio, students will develop a comprehensive design of a project through the creation of drawings of elevations, sections, plans, and scale models. In the shop, students will build a variety of insulative wall systems, examining critical details such as doors and windows, wall to roof connections, air sealing, framing options, plastering, and much more. Topics include straw bale construction, fiber-clay infill and other natural wall systems, clay and lime plasters, natural roof options, alternative foundations, water and energy conservation systems, permaculture and building-site relationships, and social and cultural contexts. Emphasis will be paid to designing and detailing for success in cold, wet climates.

Course start time: Sunday, 5pm
Course end time: Friday, 5pm

 

  • Competency Level: Beginner to Intermediate
  • AIA credits: 84 -- Qualifies for HSW and SD requirements.

Course Objectives:

  • Understanding the principles of natural building, and how a natural builder thinks.
  • Placing the current natural building movement within the history of structures, and understand ing the debates, questions, and visions that frame its future
  • Referencing both historical and construction practices in other cultures, as well as current construction trades, to adapt tools and practices from these diverse contexts, informed by natural builidng principles.
  • Understanding of design/build process, specifically as it relates to natural building principles.
  • Basic drafting, programming, and design development skills
  • Siting and site evaluation and awareness
  • Basic construction skills: safe and effective tool use and skills development for straw bale and other natural fiber wall systems
  • A thorough, applied understanding of current best practices regarding the theory and practice of cold climate detailing for natural wall systems
  • The ability to creatively problem-solve and apply natural building principles to many diverse building situations.
  • Daily participation in constructing a class project of sample wall systems in strawbale, woodchip clay, and light straw-clay.

Suggested Reading

Paul Lacinski and Michel Bergeron. Serious Straw Bale

edited by Bruce King. Design of Straw Bale Buildings: The State of the Art

Katy Bryce and Adam Weismann. Using Natural Finishes

Michael Smith et al. Art of Natural Building

Elizabeth, Adams. Alternative Construction

Jack Sobon. Timberframe Construction

Clark Snell. Building Green

Stafford Holmes and Michael Wingate. Building With Lime: A Practical Introduction

Bill Mollison with Reny Mia Sla. Introduction to Permaculture

Required/Recommended Tools

  • Notebook and pens/pencils
  • Drafting kit (provided with your materials fee)
  • Sturdy work gloves
  • Eye protection
  • Ear protection
  • Work boots or other sturdy closed-toe footwear
  • Dust mask/respirator (for working in shop environment)
  • Camera
  • Clothes to get dirty in (long sleeved shirts and long pants to protect from straw)
  • Measuring tape, utility knife, tool belt, hammer (optional - will be provided)

Course Schedule

Sunday January 1st
 --
5PM: Tour
6PM: Welcome Dinner
7PM-9PM: Presentation - Introduction to Natural Building

Monday January 2nd
 --
AM: Introductions/What is Natural Building?
PM: Siting exercise/Anatomy of a Building I
Eve: Free

Tuesday January 3rd
 --
AM: Basic Design Concepts/Drafting 101
PM: Anatomy of a Building II
Eve: Studio - Design Exercise

Wednesday January 4th
 --
9-10AM: Design Exercise Review
10-12PM: Introduction to Cube, tools, and materials
PM: Construction - Wall building
Eve: Presentation - Basic Building Science

Thursday January 5th
 --
AM: Construction - Wall Building
1-2:30PM: Construction - Wall Building
3-5:00PM: Presentation - Practical Detailing
5:00-6PM: Introduce design detail project    
Eve: Studio - Begin design detailing project

Friday January 6th
 --
AM: Construction - Wall Building
PM: Construction - Finish Wall Building/Plaster Prep
Eve: off/studio

Saturday January 7th
 --
AM: Field Trip – Valley Tours
PM: Field Trip – Central VT Tours
Eve: off

Sunday January 8th - OFF

Monday January 9th
 --
AM: Construction - Plaster Prep
PM: Construction - Plaster Prep
Eve: Presentations – Bridging the Gap Between Green and Natural Building/Owner-Building Strategies
 
Tuesday January 10th
 --
AM: Construction – Plastering
1-3:15 PM: Presentation - Plaster Theory
3:30-5:30: Construction - Plastering
Eve: Studio – design detailing project

Wednesday January 11th
 --
9-10:30AM: Design detailing project review
10:45-12PM: Final design project introduction
PM: Studio – Final design project
Eve: Studio – Final design project

Thursday January 12th
 --
AM: Studio – Final design project
PM: Studio – Final design project
Eve: Studio – Final design project

Friday January 13th
 --
9AM-9:30AM: Practicum Review
9:30-10:30AM: Final design preparation
10:30AM-12PM: Final design presentations
PM: Final design presentations
6PM: Graduation Dinner

Start Date: January 6, 2013
Closed