Foundations and Fun

May 4 – May 8

Japanese Tourists. MVG© View at Picasa Japanese Tourists. MVG©05-May-2009 07:34, NIKON COOLPIX P80 , 5.6, 4.7mm, 0.00529941 sec, ISO 64

This week was our first full one on the building site, and everyone arrived raring to go after a couple of weeks spent in the classroom.  We were kept busy learning lots about many of the materials, techniques and systems available to a sustainable builder, but you could tell many were aching to get their hands dirty and put their new tools to use.  We also went over the plans for our project in detail, chose our individual responsibilities on the build, and began gathering information on potential suppliers and ordering materials for the project during these weeks. 

When we arrived Monday, the first order of business was to begin construction of the do-it-yourself composting outhouse we will be using for well, our business, during the build.  Oriented for maximum solar exposure, the power of the sun will be harnessed to speed the composting process.   We also plan to leave this behind for the many locals who use the rotary trail system that runs just behind the centre.

Two toilet seats with lovely sun and moon. MVG© View at Picasa Two toilet seats with lovely sun and moon. MVG©05-May-2009 13:53, NIKON COOLPIX P80 , 3.5, 4.7mm, 0.014 sec, ISO 64

There were plenty of other tasks to keep us busy around the site as well, including organizing and creating storage for our wide array of tools, clearing an area where the roof will be constructed prior to it being lifted into its final resting place, fencing the site and building a gate, as well as stripping down some cedars that had to be removed for us to access the site, so that we can use them in the building.

How are we gonna get in this thing? Build a staircase! MVG© View at Picasa How are we gonna get in this thing? Build a staircase! MVG©07-May-2009 07:48, NIKON COOLPIX P80 , 4.0, 4.7mm, 0.01 sec, ISO 64

Victoria Brunet. MVG© View at Picasa Victoria Brunet. MVG©06-May-2009 12:09, NIKON COOLPIX P80 , 5.0, 21.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 64

There was also a second day in the ditch on Wednesday, as 12 students along with a former graduate toiled to collect the remaining reeds  necessary to complete the thatched roof for the centre’s entryway.  It was a lot of hard work, but we think it will be well worth the effort to display a roofing technique that you would struggle to find elsewhere in Ontario.

Reeds for the entry roof, Ontario’s first thatch roof. MVG© View at Picasa Reeds for the entry roof, Ontario’s first thatch roof. MVG©06-May-2009 12:06, NIKON COOLPIX P80 , 5.0, 7.4mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 64

We also had a lot of work to do to prepare for the pouring of the building’s foundation.  As you may expect, this is an integral part of any sound structure, so special care was taken to make sure that everything was done properly.  Concrete is not necessarily the first choice for a natural or sustainable builder, however many steps are being taken to ensure that we are using as little as possible, and that the concrete used is as ‘green’ as possible due to its high slag content.  The forms have also been constructed so they may be reused elsewhere in the build once they have served this purpose.  It is also worth noting that the curved section along the southern wall of the centre will have an earth-bag foundation, but we’ll talk more about it when we tackle it in the next week or two. 

Jason Coward, one of the heads of foundation, on the compactor. ©MVG. View at Picasa Jason Coward, one of the heads of foundation, on the compactor. ©MVG.05-May-2009 07:29, NIKON COOLPIX P80 , 5.6, 9.8mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 64

Are you on the phone Rob?? MVG© View at Picasa Are you on the phone Rob?? MVG©06-May-2009 09:42, NIKON COOLPIX P80 , 6.3, 22.9mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 64

View of the forms all put together. MVG© View at Picasa View of the forms all put together. MVG©08-May-2009 10:25, NIKON COOLPIX P80 , 7.1, 4.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 64

All in all it was a very successful first week on-site, and we look forward to keeping everyone updated with our progress as we build towards our goal of creating one of the most sustainable buildings in Canada!