Dec2011 Sheltermaker
| THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT | |
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| Since I realised, as a tender youth, in Ireland, in the 1960′s, that the entire System was corrupt, vainglorious and hypocritical, I stopped playing the game of Fitting In to better enjoy the delights of being an Outsider. | |
| Fears of not surviving proved to be unfounded. | |
| Fears of impoverishment proved to be true but liberating. | |
| Fears of hunger were regularly satisfied by eating a hearty meal of pride. | |
| Fears of insecurity proved to be nothing more than a smokescreen masking the truth. | |
| Those who succumb to such Fears, in exchange for empty promises, will now have to face the truth. | |
| The sooner the better. | |
| Take my word for it, as a 60 year old survivor of the truth, it’s worth the struggle. | |
| The World As We Know it is coming to an end. | |
| The comfort zone of denial is now becoming so uncomfortable that becoming an Outsider is a welcome option. | |
| Unreal expectations are no more. | |
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| To facilitate the changes required to embrace eco-living, Alanna and myself are kicking off 2012 with our new Eco-Living School. | |
| See you there!
Details below. |
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| CASTLEMAINE, VICTORIA | |
| The Eco-Living School has been conceived as a place where people can engage with the practical and emotional aspects of eco-living.
International teachers Alanna Moore & Peter Cowman, have, between them, over 50 years experience of alternative living. |
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| 2012 PROGRAMME DOWNLOAD PROGRAMME | |
| Booking 03 5468 1041 | |
| January 21st | |
| Edible Landscaping in the Goldfields Part I with Alanna Moore 10am – 1pm | |
| Permaculture design principles. Planning for climatic extremes. Building up soils with locally available inputs and composting. Dryland Permaculture farm tour. Practical exercise in making a small low-water-use Wicking Garden Bed designed to manage grey water. | |
| Architecture & Life with Peter Cowman 2-5pm | |
| How do buildings affect our lives? What is the connection between buildings and dreams? Can architecture foster higher consciousness? Do buildings have emotions? How can buildings assist us in living more sustainability? Do people posses a ‘sheltermaker’ gene? What are the secrets of architecture? How can invisible space be clearly seen? What is sacred geometry? If you wish to know the answer to any of these questions attending this Session is a must! |
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| February 18th | |
| Architecture Design with Peter Cowman 10am – 1pm | |
| Engaging with the dynamics of space, place, time and consciousness and how these ‘invisible’ aspects of design can be incorporated into physical buildings is the theme of this Session. | |
| Edible Landscaping in the Goldfields Part II with Alanna Moore 2-5pm | |
| Plant selection for the temperate drylands. Bushfoods worth growing, inc. bush foods orchard tour. Native plant propagation (practical). | |
| March 17th | |
| Geomancy & Sensitive Landscaping Part I with Alanna Moore 10am – 1pm | |
| The principles of geomancy, discovering the energies of place. Connecting with the spirit of the land by dowsing. Tour of energy installations on the farm. Power Tower ritual (practical). | |
| Eco-Building Construction with Peter Cowman 2-5pm | |
| What makes an eco-building eco? Design; materials; structural principles; passive solar fundamentals; insulation – how to keep heat in … or keep it out; costing; self-build vs. contractor build; staying off the grid; recycling issues – plus more! |
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| April 21st | |
| Living Your Architecture with Peter Cowman 10am – 1pm | |
| How-to shape your home to suit your life – and the life of the planet! Getting the best from your home; putting your ideas down on paper; connecting to your dreams; surveying; drawing; model-making; decision-making; initiating changes. |
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| Geomancy & Sensitive Landscaping Part II with Alanna Moore 2-5pm | |
| Working with the energies of place (akin to feng shui). Geomantic solutions to energetic problems. Creating sacred sites. Making stone circles and medicine wheels, inc. ritual use of them (practical). | |
| May 19th | |
| Living in a Healthy Home with Alanna Moore 10am – 1pm | |
| Principles of building biology and how to avoid the Sick Building. Problems from geobiology and electromagnetic radiation that affect our health and wellbeing. Dowsing for irritation zones and safe places to sleep; Earth acupuncture for geopathic stress (practical). | |
| Eco-Building On A Shoestring with Peter Cowman 2-5pm | |
| In this fascinating Session participants can follow the entire process of designing and constructing a low-cost eco-building that was built for less than $5000! | |
| June 16th | |
| Architecture Playhouse with Peter Cowman 10am – 1pm | |
| Imagining your Dream Space and coaxing it into Reality is the theme of this fascinating Session. Using simple materials and tools plus a generous dash of creative thinking this free-fall into the world of architecture will forever change how you think of space, time, houses, jobs, mortgages, sustainabilty and even life itself! This hybrid of instruction and play will encourage a deeper understanding of the role buildings play in our lives and foster the rediscovery of the timeless architecture we create in childhood. | |
| Sensitive Permaculture with Alanna Moore 2-5pm | |
| Combining permaculture design principles with geobiology and geomancy. Esoteric gardening and energy farming for enhanced plant growth and animal wellbeing. Dowsing the vitality of plants and how to improve them, inc. Power Tower ritual (practical). | |
| $50 per session, incl. refreshments and printed notes |
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| One2One and Group Sessions by arrangement | |
| DOWNLOAD ECO-SCHOOL PROGRAMME | |
| BOOKING 03 5468 1041 | |
| SATURDAY JANUARY 14 | |
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| 10am – 3pm | |
| More 30 years ago Maryborough, in central Victoria, was the site of an interesting experiment in low-cost construction.
In 1982, Nepalese architect Ramesh Mananda ran a week long workshop with Melbourne architecture students and local sustainability enthusiasts to demonstrate how mudbricks could be used in low rainfall areas to build low cost homes. The building features a vault and dome, constructed without timber supports, demonstrating techniques which date back over 8000 years. |
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| In November a work party gave the building a 2 day makeover.
Led by James Henderson of Henderson Clayworks, and under the guidance of Maryborough’s Terry White – who had been involved in the original construction work – the volunteers began restoration of the external plasterwork. This work is to continue on Saturday January 14 giving people the opportunity to not only see this unique building but to talk to the experts about this low-cost natural building technique. Work will get underway at 10am. If people fancy mucking in they should bring some workclothes! LOCATION – opposite the Maryborough water purification plant in Stoneham Drive, Maryborough |
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| DOWNLOAD ORIGINAL OWNER BUILDER MAGAZINE ARTICLE ON THE MUD HOUSE CONSTRUCTION WRITTEN BY RAMESH MANANDA | |
| Ethical Oil – An Oxymoron? | |
| Thanks to the wonders of advertising double-speak we now have ‘Ethical Oil‘ – just what we need to keep our consciousnesses clear … | |
| UPCOMING HEMP BUILDING COURSES IN AUSTRALIA | |
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| Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about this new revolutionary building system now available in Australia. Get first hand experience from leading Hemp Building expert Steve Allin. The 3 day courses will cover theory, hands on experience and finishing techniques. Refreshments will be provided on site. Cost $ 300 To book the Sydney Course click here To book the Maleny Course click here To download brochure PDF click here |
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| IRISH ARCHITECTS UNDER FIRE | |
| On November 8th last , an opinion piece entitled ‘Architects Must Answer for the Misery of Bad Building’, written by Michael Casey, a former chief economist with the Central Bank and board member of the International Monetary Fund, was published in the Irish Times. | |
| The article highlights the fact that architects have become detached from the actuality of realising their designs in the Real World … | |
| ‘Frank McDonald recently quoted the director of the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI) claiming that “architects are not involved in the construction stage of buildings . . . where the problems happen”. Most lay people would be surprised by this assertion. Is it the case that an architect merely passes on his designs to a builder and that is the end of his involvement in the project? Are we to believe that if the building goes on fire or falls down it is solely the fault of the builder who must have deviated in some way from the “perfect” designs he was given?Strange as it may seem, this describes the present position fairly accurately. For years now, architects have deflected responsibility from themselves by means of a standard contract that they encourage their clients and building contractors to sign. Take the short form contract, SF-88, drawn up mainly by the RIAI. This neatly encapsulates the mindset of the architectural profession. (My request to the RIAI to provide a copy of this contract fell on deaf ears but I managed to acquire a copy elsewhere.)
The contract is between the client (employer) and the builder (contractor). The architect does not feature prominently in the standard version. In fact, his relationship with, and duties to, the client/employer are vague. The architect seems to have maximum wriggle room; this is hardly mere happenstance.’ |
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| READ THE ENTIRE IRISH TIMES ARTICLE | |
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| Unsurprisingly, the architects disagreed with this opinion.
On November 28th John Graby of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland responded. |
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| ‘The Kernel of Michael Casey’s argument is that architects and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) have drafted a contract so as to prejudice the consumers’ interest and that architects are seeking to “deflect responsibility from themselves”. He bases this on an analysis of a building contract, SF88 (which, contrary to his assertion of sinister intent, can be bought at the RIAI bookshop). His argument is based on a false premise, as architects’ responsibilities to their clients are set out in a separate document, the client-architect agreement, not the building contract.
He attempts to leave the impression that the building contract governs the relationship with the architect, which is untrue. He claims architects’ duties to clients are vague. Not true. The client-architect agreement sets out architects’ duties to clients in detail. While this agreement encapsulates an architect’s duties, it has also been developed even more extensively through case law. Casey emphasises the relationship between the architect and builder, suggesting there is a “cosy association” between both – again, not true.’ |
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| READ JOHN GRABY’S ENTIRE REPLY | |
| Make your own mind up. | |
| More than 700,000 homes owned by banks are empty in the US. Millions more properties risk falling to the same fate due to a foreclosure crisis.
Fuelled by popular anger at banks and financial institutions, the Occupy Wall Street movement recently promoted “home occupations” in 20 cities across the country. And the number of organisations facilitating these actions is growing. |
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| NEXT SHELTERMAKER: FEBRUARY 2012 |
Nov2011 Sheltermaker
| Living Architecture in Christchurch, NZ |
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| Your eyes do not deceive you. This building is indeed leaning! One of many in the centre of Christchurch that await demolition.
The entire city centre has been devastated by earthquakes turning it into a no-go area … |
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| Despite the trauma and destruction the people of Christchurch are ready for the task of rebuilding. A ‘container mall’ has now been built, forming a new city centre. |
| Sight of the widespread devastation raises an interesting question … ‘why are modern buildings so hard to deconstruct?’ |
| Watching the deconstruction process reveals much about the thought form which shaped these monuments in the first place! Clearly no thought was ever given to the possibility that they might need to be removed at some point in the future. |
| What was so evident as one engaged with this challenging environment was the strength and resilience of people. It is indeed the human spirit which brings places alive – and keeps them alive. |
| Lots of fun was had during the 3Events in Christchurch … more on these in the next Sheltermaker |
| MARYBOROUGH MUD HOUSE RESTORATION |
| SATURDAY 12th & SUNDAY 13th NOVEMBER |
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| DIRECTIONS |
| Built by students 30 years ago to a design-type from Niger in Africa, this structure was constructed without the use of timber formwork or scaffolding. |
| Featuring both a dome and a barrel vault, this charming building was constructed at no material cost! |
| The Restoration will be led by James Henderson of Henderson Clayworks. James is Australia’s leading expert in all aspects of clay construction. |
| Bring… work clothes – shovels – wheelbarrows – buckets – mattocks/picks – a sense of humour |
| Permaculture Living |
| Saturday November 26th |
| 2 – 5.30pm |
| Eco-Building on A Shoestring |
| With Peter Cowman |
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| HOW TO DO IT WHERE TO START THE INSIDE+THE OUTSIDE EMOTIONAL, TERRITORIAL+ GENDER STUFF HEART+SOUL ISSUES COSTS MATERIALS CONSTRUCTION PLANNING+MORE |
| Plus, Afternoon Tea & |
| Farm Tour of Dryland Temperate Permaculture Gardens |
| Permaculture design strategies for dryland temperate gardening in the Goldfields |
| With Permaculture Pioneer Alanna Moore |
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| Limited to 12 participants
$45 |
| BOOKING |
| To secure your place it is advised to pay the booking fee of $20 NOW with balance payable on the day … |
| You can also pay the booking fee by bank deposit or Money Order
For details contact the Living Architecture Centre |
| SPIRIT OF PLACE |
| A stimulating weekend programme of talks, films & workshops |
| FRIDAY-SUNDAY
DECEMBER 2nd-4th 2011 |
| Magpie House
48 main Street Upwey melway 75a8 (opposite station) Melbourne |
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| Friday Dec. 2nd 7.30pm ‘Sense of Place’ |
| Talk presented by Alanna & Peter $10 |
| We can discover the subtle qualities of landscapes and buildings by developing a sense of place and learning ways to explore the intangible realms, the spirit of place. Not solely the province of feng shui masters, the art of divining environmental energies is a part of our palette of sensory perceptions, and anyone can participate. |
| Saturday Dec. 3rd. 2-5pm |
| ‘Architecture & The Meaning of Life’ |
| Exploring the connections between people, places, their lives and their homes. Bring along plans or photos of your house on the day! $40/Couples$60/Concession$35 |
| Saturday Dec. 3th 7.30pm |
| FILM NIGHT with Peter & Alanna |
| Screening of documentary about & Living Architecture: ‘Building On The Edge’ Plus, ‘A Thirst for Ireland’, Alanna’s film on Geomancy in Ireland $10 |
| Sunday Dec. 4th 10am-1pm |
| ‘Divining Earth Spirit’ |
| Workshop with Alanna |
| Experience Earth Spirit. Learn how to engage deeply with Nature.
Divine the subtle dimensions of life & place |
| The Earth is alive! and we can connect to her lifeforce and nature’s invisible realms with simple techniques developed from the ancient art of dowsing. Also known as divining, the exploration of environmental energies covers a wide spectrum these days, looking at aspects ranging from nature spirits to technological radiation stresses, as much as the ‘ley lines’ (Earth currents) that effect health and wellbeing. Learn simple, easy techniques of pendulum dowsing. Discover the problem of geopathic stress and how to do remedial Earth acupuncture, and much more! |
| Sunday Dec. 4th 2-5pm |
| Eco-Building On A Shoestring |
| Seminar with Peter $40/Couples$60/Concession$35 |
| The Why, The How & The What If? Plus … Emotional, Terrirorial+ Gender Stuff; Heart+Soul Issues; Costs, Materials, Construction+ Planning+More! |
| Sunday Dec. 4th 2-5pm |
| Field Trip with Alanna (for advanced students)to local places of interest $30/Couples$50 |
| Discover and connect with the local spirits of place! First, we’ll decide on interesting places to visit (by car pooling) in the vicinity, then discover by dowsing any significant features at them, as well as practice Earth healing techniques, where needed. |
| Booking/Enquiries HERE or 03 9005 5833 |
| MELTDOWN |
| In the final episode of Meltdown, we hear about the sheikh who says the crash never happened; a Wall Street king charged with fraud; a congresswoman who wants to jail the bankers; and the world leaders who want a re-think of capitalism. |
| The financial crash of September 2008 brought the largest bankruptcies in world history, pushing over 30 million people into unemployment and bringing many countries to the brink of insolvency. |
| Listen to some interesting stuff about Values and to the former Prime Minister who says ‘if the Chinese or Indian economies falter, the present financial mess will seem like a picnic’ |
| ORIGINAL LIVING ARCHITECTURE |
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Grass-cutting ants build gigantic nests – underground cities where up to seven million insects live and tend a fungal garden that feeds their young. Scientists have now discovered how the ants build nests that stay at the right temperature for this precious fungus to grow. The ants build porous turrets, specifically to ventilate the nests … READ MORE |
Fatherhood Leads to Drop in Testosterone |
| A new study suggests that men’s bodies evolved hormonal systems that helped them commit to their families. |
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| ME & MY GIRL … STILL THE BEST OF FRIENDS |
| Testosterone, that most male of hormones, takes a dive after a man becomes a parent. And the more he gets involved in caring for his children — changing diapers, jiggling the boy or girl on his knee, reading “The Cat In The Hat” for the umpteenth time — the lower his testosterone drops. |
| It’s all true! |
| My own experience of parenting is such that I feel that men should be fighting for the right to be hands-on parents! |
| Why? |
| Because its so much fun, not to talk of stimulating, fulfilling and life-focussed. |
| And, of course, it’s not at all macho. |
| Because so many men cannot handle their hormones they have excluded themselves – and other men – from the the parenting scene. |
| Wake up guys! |
| READ MORE ABOUT THE STUDY |
| The Coast of Utopia |
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| By MAXINE SWANN The new antidote to civilization is a squatters’ community in Uruguay where modern conveniences are few, but good vibes abound. |
| Cabo Polonio, a remote beach village in southeastern Uruguay, sits on a green peninsula between the Atlantic and a desert landscape of shifting sand dunes. Strewn across the grassy promontory are a single lighthouse and a few hundred whimsical dwellings. Rasta-colored flags serve as wind vanes, tinted glass bottles are embedded in walls, and exteriors are painted with pictures of suns, cow spots, rainbows and a Klimt-like rendering of a woman. One stands out as particularly fanciful. It’s more sculpture than cabin, constructed from panes of glass, wood, plastic, bamboo blinds and green plexiglass, with tall, lush plants growing out of the floor. |
| Read more: T Magazine: The Coast of Utopia |
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| Next Sheltermaker – December |