Lughnasadh Sheltermaker 2010
| Lughnasadh Sheltermaker |
| Plastering The EconoSpace |
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| The plastering of the EconoSpace is now well in hand. Once the techniques for chopping straw, sifting clay slip and mixing these is mastered, the task of getting the mix onto the walls is relatively easy. |
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| Muck slinging is the order of the day. |
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| The satisfaction this work brings is reward itself. A promise of warmth and succour is contained in every handful carefully flung at the wall where it sticks just like mud should. |
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| Next, the smoothing phase begins. The hiss of the Japanese steel trowel harmonises with the silence that envelops the space. Thoughts that we our selves are clay are never far away. |
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| Helpers drift through, lavishing care and attention upon the hungry walls. We are being carried relentlessly forward towards the future. This can be far simpler than one might imagine. |
| Forthcoming Irish LIVE EconoSpaceMaking Courses: |
| Sunday August 7th
Monday August 23rd Saturday September 4th Sunday September 12th Details & Booking HERE |
| Volunteer & Learn |
| If you want to taste of EconoSpaceMaking come and help me for a day during August. Text me on 086 10 22 400 or eMail sheltermaker at gmail.com |
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| EconoSpaceMaking featured in Owner Builder Magazine … |
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Owner Builder is Australia’s premiere magazine devoted to self building. |
| The Scavanger |
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| The Scavenger is an Australian online portal of features, commentary and news that you’re unlikely to find in mainstream media. It’s a mix of original articles, aggregated content (republished blog posts) and author extracts.
The Scavenger comes along and takes what’s left after the masses have had their feed. The Scavenger is where you’ll find the bits and pieces that mainstream media can’t or won’t find a home for. It recently featured this piece from the Living Architecture Centre entitled ‘We Must Return To Sustainable Sheltermaking’ |
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| Saturday August 14th |
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| Visioning Eco Shelter |
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| The Living Architecture Centre will be presenting a workshop entitled ‘Visioning Eco Shelter’ on Saturday afternoon August 14th at All Island Gathering of Transition Towns.
The proposed event will allow people to articulate their vision of a low-impact, low-cost eco-shelter that they could create for themselves to live in a post peak oil and climate changed world. The stimulus of talking about such possibilities is harnessed as the driving force which allows participants to create a plan and a 3D model of their eco-shelter. Stimulating and fun. The photo below shows Peter Cowman and students discussing the experience of visioning their eco-shelters. |
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| Ariona |
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| Ariona is a new website and E-zine put together with the help of a bunch of volunteers in Australia, UK and USA, people who have a passion for what they do from Chef’s to Doctors, Lawyers, Landscapers, Vets, Architects, and Designers, people who wish to share their knowledge with the wider community. |
| The site has a Sri Lankan focus with the aim of connecting people to their cultural roots. This site is not solely about Sri Lanka however, it is about creativity, abundance and inner harmony, which will inspire you to look at Life differently and Live it to the fullest.
The Living Architecture Centre contributed this article to the first edition of Ariona: ‘The Psychology of Sustainable Living’ |
| NEXT SHELTERMAKER: EQUINOX |
Midsummer Sheltermaker 2010
| Midsummer Sheltermaker 2010 |
| ‘A Century of Challenges: Peak Oil, the Financial Crisis, and how to prepare for what’s to come’ |
| Have a listen to this talk. The speaker is Nicole Foss, an energy industry consultant, a financial analyst and a former editor of The Oil Drum Canada who now blogs under the name Stoneleigh at The Automatic Earth. |
| Her analysis of the collapse of global Ponzi finance and peak oil as a “perfect storm” of converging challenges that threaten to accelerate the changes we face and have dire consequences for unprepared individuals and communities. |
| She presented the talk to a Transition gathering in Devon – and shocked most people, with many trying to find a way to say she was wrong. |
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| I’ve listen to the talk with pleasure – and relief! She tells it like it really is! The whole house of cards is so precarious that the only reliable assets are those residing inside our selves. Time to get back to sheltermaking! |
| Malaysian Vernacular |
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| Irish Summer Courses & Workshops |
| DIY Eco-Building |
| In this innovative DIY Eco-Building Course students discover the secrets of eco-building by learning how to create a small sustainable shelter – the EconoSpace. |
| The EconoSpace is a 25sqm (6X4.2m) building which can be made from a variety of natural materials at very low cost in the average back garden – and free of planning permission! |
| EconoSpaces can perform a variety of useful functions:
Art Studio; Playhouse; Home Office; Garden Building; Eco Pod; Storage Room; Music Room; Meditation Space; Bath House; Computer Room Site Office; Writers Retreat; Love Shack; Dacha; Craft Room; Nature Temple; Sanctuary; Dog House; Food Cellar; Garden Kitchen; Eco Shed |
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| Any help with publicity would be most welcome. Print out the poster
(2 to an A4 page) and put them up where you can … |
| DOWNLOAD POSTER |
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COURSE DATES IN CO. LEITRIM Saturday August 7th Monday August 23rd Saturday September 4th Sunday September 12th |
| Dates don’t suit? Then you need the EconoSpaceMaking DVD. This dynamic combination of text, drawings, photograph and video information will guide you through the design and construction process. Based on working examples and real life situations the DVD includes Working Drawings for 10sqm & 25sqm EconoSpaces. Students can also participate in a dedicated online Forum where they can exchange ideas and information. Go to livingarchitecturecentre.com for further details.
Special deals for Groups, Transition Towns, etc. |
| LIVE Course – €85 incl. lunch LIVE Course, lunch & EconoSpaceMaking DVD €150 EconoSpaceMaking DVD – Special Online Offer €90 |
| BOOKING |
| Phone: 076 602 6046 & 086 10 22400
eMail: sheltermaker at gmail.com Online: HERE |
| Grow Food Make Shelter |
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| Practical self-sufficiency skills for the modern age |
| Theory and hands-on learning |
| €150 (€120 conc.) incl. vegetarian lunch |
| ENQUIRIES |
| Growing food and making affordable shelter are the keys to living a sustainable life. Establishing food security and freedom from mortgage debt can be easier than one might think. This introductory workshop will focus on what people can do in the average backyard – or apartment balcony – with very little money to spend but a commitment to changing one’s life for one’s own sake and for the sake of the planet. Theory and practice are presented side by side in a lively mix of talk, film, images and models in which Peter & Alanna share their considerable experience of growing food and making shelter on tight budgets and with an unfailing commitment to sustainable principles. As well as dealing with the physical aspects of sustainable living, the workshop will also address the hidden aspects of change – particularly, understanding the nature of the resistances one normally encounteres and how to overcome these. Participants will learn how to produce delicious food in small spaces using the principles of permaculture garden design, and, how to design and construct small affordable sustainable buildings following living architecture principles. With an emphasis is on positive action, these essential skills will provide participants with a solid foundation on which to construct a sustainable future for themselves. |
| BOOKING: €50pp with balance payable on weekend |
| ‘The Spirit of Place’ |
| A presentation by geomancer & author Alanna Moore* & Irish eco-architect Peter Cowman |
| Saturday July 24th 7pm – 8.30pm Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal |
| ‘The Spirit of Place’ illustrates how people can discover the intangible dimensions of place, both in the natural as well as the built environment. By becoming more sensitive to the spirit of place we can nurture a more harmonious environment and life, where magic can happen! |
| €10 euros including free Living Architecture DVD Bookings: flowingtide@hotmail.com |
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| *Australian geomancer Alanna Moore is a specialist in surveying the subtle energies of place. She advises people on selecting safe and healthy locations to live, work and grow food. If homes are located on geopathic stress zones or across ‘fairy pathways’ there can be dire consequences she warns. Alanna, who has Irish heritage, is familiar with the ancient geomantic traditions of the Australian Aboriginals. She finds many parallels with the indigenous culture of Ireland where people’s deep connection with the land also makes them highly aware and respectful of the invisible forces present in the landscape. Also a permaculture farmer and teacher, she spends summers here with her Irish husband Peter Cowman. In 2010 Alanna will be conducting just three workshops in Ireland – in Leitrim & Tipperary. |
| The EconoSpace Project |
| The sleeping giant awakes. After its winter slumber, the EconoSpace has dried out completely and is now ready for plastering. Already the inherent warmth of the clay-straw can be felt inside the building. |
| Work is now underway to carry on where we left off last September. RTE have even expressed a wish to come back and do some more filming! |
| You can follow ongoing work at Architecture LIVE |
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| Next Sheltermaker – Lughnasadh |
Bealtaine 2010 Sheltermaker
| Bealtaine 2010 Sheltermaker |
| Below is a photo essay describing the present state of the 10sqm EconoSpace which is in progress in central Victoria, Australia. |
| Current expenditure is running at $3850 which is about €2750. Money still needs to be spent but costs should remain below $5000 or, €3500. |
| Forthcoming Irish LIVE EconoSpaceMaking Courses: |
| Saturday August 7th Monday August 23rd Saturday September 4th Sunday September 12th |
| Booking & Details – HERE |
| Or use contact button above or, phone 076 6026046 |
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| GROW FOOD MAKE SHELTER
with Alanna Moore* & Peter Cowman |
| Booking & Details – HERE |
| Or use contact button above or, phone 076 6026046 |
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| GEOMANCY WEEKEND
with Alanna Moore* |
| *Alanna Moore is a permaculture farmer, teacher and the author of seven books, a master dowser and has taught the ancient art of dowsing around Australasia, Europe and Asia for over 25 years. Visit geomantica.com for further info. |
| THE 10 SQUARE METRE ECONOSPACE |
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| This EconoSpace is being rested now for the southern winter. Architecture LIVE will continue documenting progress on the 25sqm EconoSpace in Ireland. |
Articles
| Adaptability |
| By changing the way in which we look at the subject of human shelter we gain the potential to change our lives. It is this key factor – the incorporation within a home of the natural ability to change and adapt – that offers the power to change not only ourselves but, in consequence, the world. It is the need for such change that characterises all proposed solutions to the problems of global warming, pollution, toxic waste, food contamination, and so on. The reason that house design wields such power is simple. Settled life is the basis of civilisation as we know it. Houses are the cornerstone of settled life, and, in consequence, underpin all the civilised values we revere … |
| DOWNLOAD ARTICLE |
| Architecture & Identity |
| Ancient buildings such as the Great Pyramids, the Parthenon, Newgrange and, in more recent times, the Gothic cathedrals, harbour secrets which were incorporated into their designs by their architects. This allowed for the abstract manifestation of these secrets within the buildings themselves. These can be described as the ‘feelings’ evoked by the architecture. The ancient secrets of design are founded on this ability of architecture to unify physical and emotional experience. This is assisted by the fact that buildings have an inside and an outside which is a reflection of the ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ worlds we exist in … |
| DOWNLOAD ARTICLE |
| Call of the Sheltermaker Gene |
| UN Local Agenda 21 declares that we must change our lifestyles in order to protect the choice mechanism of future generations. Such a sustainable life is to be based on a value system which is, in itself, life sustaining.
Initiating the changes required to live a sustainable life does not come easy. These changes will most likely be forced on people by nature itself. Dealing effectively with either voluntary or imposed change will largely hinge on the ability of the home to be adapted to evolving circumstances. In effect, changing how we live requires that we adapt the buildings we live in to suit this sustainable life, or, design new buildings fashioned to the task. This is the quest of sustainable house design – to facilitate the living of sustainable lives. As such, it is a demanding goal for designers … |
| DOWNLOAD ARTICLE |
| The Psychology of Sustainability |
| In the developed world economic growth is regarded as a true measure of hope and success. Economic growth is fuelled by the spending of money that is earned or borrowed. The most common form of borrowing is‘mortgaging’ which is the practice of borrowing money to buy a home.
Modern economic systems are underpinned by the value ascribed to mortgaged property. So critical is this to the perceived health of economies that governments and their executive agencies strenuously encourage people to become home owners. They also do their utmost to maintain a steady rise in property values. Property has, in fact, become the new Fort Knox where bricks ‘n mortar are watched over, not by armed guards, but by people protecting [the value of] their homes … |
| DOWNLOAD ARTICLE |
| Time, Space & Money |
| The clock is probably as much to blame for the current state of world affairs as the burning of fossil fuel, though less easy to pin down. It wreaks its havoc nonetheless, spreading destruction and fear, glaring down upon us, constantly demanding that we speed up.
The rhythm of the clock is the rhythm of the machine – explosive and intense, a consequence of igniting the pent-up energy contained within fossil fuels. Formed over millions of years but released instantly, this explosive force lays down a beat to which everyone must march. It is the role of the clock to broadcast this rhythm which it does with robotic efficiency, policing our days and our nights. Natural rhythm has a different tempo – days, months, seasons and years. The sense of timelessness which this engenders accords with our body rhythms and allows us to harmonise with the pace of the natural world … |
| DOWNLOAD ARTICLE |
| Humpty Dumpty Syndrome |
| The world has a certain Humpty Dumpty quality to it at the moment. As all the king’s horses and all the king’s men strive to put the poor fellow together again we stand and watch as if there might be some possibility of success.
As children we resigned ourselves to the fact that this cosmic egg inspired figure was shattered for good and all time. However, in the grown up world we seek to rewrite history by believing that the king’s resources are sufficient to mend the fallen icon’s fatal fractures. So the printing presses run forging money with which to paper over the cracks that have shattered our world. Such illusions are not worth the paper they are printed on … |
| DOWNLOAD ARTICLE |
Equinox Sheltermaker ’10
Seymour Alternative Farming Expo 2010
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| Owner-Builder Magazine at the Seymour Expo |
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| Presenting a talk on Invisible Architecture |
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| Rob Roy, originator of the cordwood building method, at the Seymour Expo. |
| Rob has written extensively on the subject of house design and construction and runs the Earthwood Building School in upstate New York |
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| DOWNLOAD ECONOSPACEMAKING POSTER |
| LIVE EconoSpacemaking Workshop |
| Wednesday April 7th |
| DETAILS & BOOKING HERE |
| LEARN HOW TO DESIGN & BUILD A SMALL, GREEN, LOW-IMPACT, SUSTAINABLE SHELTER THAT YOU CAN MAKE IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET WITHOUT A PERMIT |
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| With the roof on and the walling almost complete the mini-EconoSpace has a big feel to it. The numbers are impressive too – around $3500 spent so far on materials. This translates into less than €2500. |
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| With the dedicated help of Joshua, Rhym, Pie & Alanna work is charging ahead at full steam and plastering is about to begin. Keep up to date with developments at Architecture LIVE |
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| The generous roof overhang protects the building interior from excessive solar gain during the sumnmer. At this time of the year – the equinox – the roof shadow is daily retreating upwards allowing solar energy to be gathered through the windows. This heat is stored in the internal sand-clay plasterwork. |
| Irish LIVE EconoSpacemaking |
| Workshops Summer 2010 |
| Sunday 27th June The Organic Centre, Co. Leitrim |
| Saturday August 7th Drumsna, Co. Leitrim |
| Monday August 23rd Drumsna, Co. Leitrim |
| Saturday September 4th Drumsna, Co. Leitrim |
| Sunday September 12th Drumsna, Co. Leitrim |
| €90 including vegetarian lunch |
| Booking & Further Details 076 602 6046 |
| These workshops offer a unique learning experience. Even if you never intend to build anything understanding the role which shelter plays in our lives will give you a vital insight into the true dynamics of sustainability. |
| For those seeking a viable way of dis-engaging from the madness of the consumer life attending one of these workshops will provide you with the practical tools with which to plan your escape. |
| Even those already involved in the natural building sector will have much to gain and much to contribute. |
| If you are interested in self-development or are fascinated by the inner workings of life you will really enjoy this experience. |
| The positive buzz at these workshops is palpable – because they explain what sustainability actually is! |
| No previous experience of building required! |
| ‘Good fun, good company and good learning! |
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| Can’t make a LIVE Course? |
| Then you need the EconoSpaceMaking DVD |
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| Watch this amazing feat! |
| Thanks to Maireid Sullivan for that jewel |
| Saturday March 27th |
| Building Biology |
| 10am – 4.30pm |
| Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre, Daylesford, VIC |
| Make your home a healthy place to live and avoid ‘sick building syndrome. |
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| Learn how to assess your home with geo-biologist Alanna Moore an architect Peter Cowman. |
| Fee: $80 $65 concession |
| More info/bookings – info@dnc.com.au |
| Phone 5348 3569 |
| Bring along a plan/sketch of your home |
| Certificate issued |
| April 10-14th |
| Earth Plastering Intensive |
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| With James Henderson of Henderson Clayworks |
| DETAILS HERE |
| Saturday/Sunday April 24 – 25th |
| Discover Vastu ShastraThe Indian art of harmony of place |
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| With Anthony Ashworth |
| Early Bird Booking up to April 1st – $220 HERE |
| FURTHER DETAILS HERE |
| DOWNLOAD ARTICLE ON VASTU |
| Guerillas Planting in the Midst … |
| Sat/Sun July 17/18th |
| GROW FOOD MAKE SHELTER |
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| With Alanna Moore & Peter Cowman |
| Drumsna, Co. Leitrim, Ireland |
| Growing food and making affordable shelter are the keys to living a sustainable life. |
| Establishing food security and freedom from mortgage debt can be easier than one might think. |
| This workshop will focus on what people can do in the average backyard – or apartment balcony – with very little money to spend but a commitment to changing one’s life for one’s own sake and for the sake of the planet. |
| DETAILS HERE |
| Booking 076 602 6046 |
| Saturday July 24th |
| An Introduction to Sustainable House Design & Construction |
| The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim |
Imbolc Sheltermaker 2010
Imbolc – Cross Quarter DayImbolc (Imbolg) has been celebrated since ancient times. It is a Cross Quarter Day, midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, it can fall between the 2nd & 7th of February. In 2010 it falls on the 3rd of February. The other Cross Quarter Days are Beltane (early May), Lughnasadh (early August) and Samhain (early November). Together with the Equinoxes and Solstices the Cross Quarter Days mark the eight significant solar points of the year. Sheltermaker is published to coincide with the Cross Quarter Days. |
Architecture LIVE 11
| Architecture LIVE 11 |
| I make the first door frame and install this. This portal offers access to the enigmatic interior of the frame. From there I view the broad exterior over which a gathering moon presides. I dream then of being immersed in clay slip, pressed upon and forced into a dark chamber where indeterminate debris pummles my body. |
| I take this as an allegory for my life, encouragement to push myself out into the world to source the straw which is becoming increasingly vital to the sheltermaking. I juggle this commitment with bouts of filming and travel planning, recognising in that endeavour the pull of the antipodes on my soul. Continue Reading » |
Invisible Architecture
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| THE CONCEPT |
| This energising mix of theory, fact, anecdote and real life drama is an invitation from Irish architect, teacher and writer Peter Cowman, to not only imagine your dream house but to experience it in all of its many dimensions. |
| Leading you on a journey to very edge of space, Peter encourages you to rediscover the architect of your childhood dreams and nurture this faculty back into life. Then, with feet firmly on the ground, Peter will demonstrate how your dreams and reality might together be used to shape a sustainable future for people and planet. Continue Reading » |
Architecture LIVE 5
| Architecture LIVE 5 |
| Preparations for the festival exert a strong gravitational pull on us. Flyers and posters are packaged and consigned to the post. We cadge lifts and internet access in the increasing awareness that some people are becoming tired of our neediness. This makes for a delicate dance. |
| It is with sincere gratitude therefore that I wend my way to north Leitrim in a borrowed car to teach at the Organic Centre. I examine the road frontages on the way as I might those in a foreign country. What sort of lives are lived behind these facades I wonder? Continue Reading » |
Another Dream Home
| DREAM HOUSE |
| Hi Peter, |
| Just thought you’d like to hear about another dream home that was inspired by your day course at Ourganics in Dorset last year. |
| My partner & I were part of a thirty strong group of volunteers who helped Mark (who did the Course) & his partner Jean erect their new home over the Easter weekend… |
| He said that after your course, he threw his existing design away & started again from scratch! |
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| It is this sort of feedback that makes all the hard work worthwhile! |
| Why now organise a Course in your area? eMail sheltermaker at gmail.com for details |
| Or check out the Living Architecture Course. |