Building of Cordwood (any Eco Friendly) Home

For the Average Owner Builder, resources are the determining factor in how to go about building their dream. A lady, Barbara Ann, on the https://www.facebook.com/cordwoodconstruction page, commented that she couldn't see building one of the "mansions" that were posted by the site owner, Richard Flatau. To which I replied, that most were started small, and expanded over many years, as the owner could afford.

This is something different than the normal person sees house construction in the cities and towns we live in. One month it is an empty lot, and 4-6 weeks later, it is a subdivision of 2-3000 sq ft homes, selling for 100 - 200 thousand dollars, with postage stamp lawns, front and back.

So here is my dream home template. It is an education centre built by Richard and Becky, with friends help; read about it here

 http://www.daycreek.com/dc/html/cordwood_education_center.html

  I have some minor adjustments in mind, like a Salt Box Roof, and 8-6 ft front glassed in Sun Room with tromb wall, running the length of the house, Sling Shot for water purification, Solar panels on the Roof... ;0 ok, not so minor LOL

 

   To be practical, I don't have that kind of "physical or fiscal" resources at my disposal. That is not what I will be starting out with. For some "Starting Small" has taken on the form of an "Out Building" in the same style, ie a sauna, or wood working shop. While others opt for untypical, as in tipis or sheds. Then there are the adventurous, who don't mind living in a project under construction, and will build part of their dream and live in that, ie the basement, the kitchen area, or whatever. The idea is to start with a small structure, that will suffice for a "building office" that one can live in while work is being done on the main structure.

 

So what will I do, the simple answer: "I don't KNOW!!" it all comes down to what is available when I set the first post, dig the first shovel of soil. This is a road that has no map, or GPS. Between me and the future, is a huge unknown chasm.

from my brother's Facebook Pg

 

I can envisage building the Sauna as a test or learning experience in doing Stackwall, or I could take one of Richard's courses, and then come back and start with the Kitchen. There are a few ideas I'm mulling over like that.

 

There are two priorities:

  1) Set aside as much money as I can, in the years ahead. This means taking myself more or less homeless. Not living on the streets. But in the cheapest accommodations that I can find.

 

While at the same time, pursuing priority

  2) Searching out where I want / can build the dream. This means travelling about. Reading on the Internet what other's have done. Visiting their creations, and getting to know the problems and advantages they came across. Meaning "Education in the Art of Owner Builder of Eco Housing". There is no school for this, no classes at college or university. It is all in the heads and experiences of the folks who have decided enough is enough, and went ahead with their dreams.