Project Journal April 2009

Also view September,  Early October,  Late October, and November's Journal

Spring is here, the birds are calling, and the sounds of nature and the fresh air drive me out to work on the mud hut.

April 5th Applied cob mix to exterior 4X4 posts that were exposed during the winter. Only the top part of these posts were unfinished, and they were protected from the rain by the overhangs.

April 7th During the winter storms, the liner that was protecting the roof blew off. After that point, we debated which direction to go in, living roof, traditional shingles, or thatch. However, what we concluded due to various reasons was reinstalling the wind blown liner to temporarily get us by until we can install a roofing composite, much like a metal roof. We reinstalled the liner, tacked it down with roofing nails with grommets, and tarred over those nails. We installed drip edge to also hold it down in the gusty winds, and to aide in water run off.

April 10th Washed the wine bottles collected from recycling efforts. They were wrapped with cellophane around the open ends to prevent nesting wasps or any other critters. The bottles were set in cob mix. We did this for decoration and light. This is unfinished, but you get the idea.

April 11th - 30th  Applying adobe where needed to prep for final coat on the outside. The inside of the mud hut is still uncovered strawbale. Also trying to figure out how to frame in the two windows above slider door.

Peeling the loose fragmite from the stalks and washing. I plan to use this on the inside to cover the insulation in the trusses.

View when the project started September 08,  and then the months that follow until the project is completed. Early October08,  Late October 08, November 08 and now that spring is here, April 09