I have always wanted to gain some skills and experience building structures using local, natural and sustainable materials like wood and straw. Natural building techniques tend to lower the amount of waste and ecological footprint of any particular building, while building a sense of community as people work together to erect aesthetically pleasing and low cost structures.
There are many good reasons, for example, to try something like straw bale construction techniques in your wall systems. Creative use of the natural materials around you sounds novel today, but was not to our ancestors, who had no choice but to employ these methods. Cultures across the world perfected many different techniques to construct dwellings which were able to withstand regional climate changes. We have such an opportunity to blend the best of modern and traditional materials and methods for a more sustainable built environment.
On Friday and Saturday, June 15 and 16, you have a unique opportunity coming up to actually participate in building a part of Wellfield’s new Children’s Garden. Those participating in our Natural Building Materials Essentials Workshop (click link for more info and to register) will have a chance to learn various natural wall systems from experts in the field, while assisting in constructing a tool shed in the new fruit and vegetable patch slated to house kids’ gardening tools. Not only will you be learning, you will become a part of Wellfield’s history. It should be a great time! See you there.
Josh Steffen
Horticulture and Facilities Manager