Apology
| NATIONWIDE NO SHOW |
| 9pm Wednesday February 10th 2010 |
| A big apology to all of you who had expected to see the EconoSpace on Nationwide on Wednesday evening. |
| The broadcaster has now informed me – after the fact – that the piece was pulled at the last minute ‘because it didn’t sit well with the other pieces’. |
| At the moment I can only take a cynical view of this. |
| Broadcasting a show about mortgage-free shelter is just not politic at this point in time is my guess. |
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Nationwide
| THE ECONOSPACE ON NATIONWIDE |
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| If you liked what you saw on the Nationwide programme and would like to try something like that for yourself check out the EconoSpaceMaking DVD. |
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| DOWNLOAD FREE ECONOSPACEMAKING DVD SAMPLER pdf |
| Learn how to design and build a small, green, low-impact sustainable shelter – that you can be made in the average backyard without planning permission! Continue Reading » |
Harmony’s Play House
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| When I met James Henderson of Henderson Clayworks we immediately hit it off. |
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| James had seen my EconoSpace framing system in the Owner Builder and knew at once that it would make a perfect match with his beloved clay-straw. |
| I couldn’t have agreed more! |
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| It seemed to be a marriage made in heaven – my framing system coupled with his infill method. |
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| When James attended a recent EconoSpaceMaking Workshop he enthralled all the students with his knowledge and love of this accessible and sensuous material. |
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| He had hardly returned home but he set to work building his daughter Harmony a play house … |
| Harmony carries out a site inspection |
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| … and gives the go-ahead for the roof to go on … |
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| … and for the walls to be infilled … |
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| … and for the decorators to move in. |
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| Satisfaction! |
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| With advice from James the EconoSpace frame in Co. Leitrim will now be infilled with clay-straw. |
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| Follow this story at Architecture LIVE |
A 10sqm EconoSpace
| A 10sqm EconoSpace | |
| The recent EconoSpaceMaking Workshops held in Victoria were a buzz with participants coming from far and wide! | |
| The focus of attention was the creation of a 10 square metre EconoSpace which qualifies as a ‘shed’ and therefore requires no planning permission or permit. | |
| The framing timber was all salvaged, as were the windows, door and flooring. | |
| So far a grand total of $2250 has been expended on materials. | |
| You can learn how to create your own EconoSpace by becoming an EconoSpacemaker! Details HERE | |
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Happy EconoSpaceMakers |
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The naked frame |
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The partially clad frame |
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Framing detail |
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Llama wool insulation being prepared |
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The frame at twilight |
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Cladding and window detail |
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The roof overhang will provide shading in summer |
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Tip Shop door |
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Framing workshop action |
| The frame is now being rested for the winter and work will recommence in the spring. | |
| Check out progress at | |
The EconoSpace Project
| ECONOSPACE FRAMING |
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| The current state of the global economy is the perfect backdrop against which to view the future. |
| The pessimistic view held by many people – myself included – regarding the economic structure of the world can now be deemed correct. This structure, constructed on a foundation of mortgage debt, as it collapses, reveals a cynical and manipulative system which exploits peoples essential need for secure shelter. |
| It is now essential, in the face of this economic collapse, that efforts are made to create homes free of mortgage debt. This is the inspiration behind the EconoSpace Project. |
| Comprising 25 – 30sqm floor area, EconoSpaces can either be self-contained or conjoined to create larger buildings. |
| The framing system of the EconoSpace is based on the construction of simple components and their assembly into a versatile structure. The video illustrates this process – from the laying of ground beams to the closing in of the roof. |
| Once the frame has been roofed work can proceed on the cladding of the walls, the installation of windows, doors, insulation and services. |
| EconoSpaces can be created on a small budget and within a timeframe suited to most people. Information on how you can create your own EconoSpace/s is currently being compiled. Progress on this will be reported in Sheltermaker. |
| Also, see the current edition of Australia’s Owner-Builder magazine for a detailed article on the EconoSpace |