We started here, with Mike Reynolds pounding the first tire, 3 hours after landing in the country. The ground work layed out; 10sq meters to be under permit size. 17 tires and a load of dirt in the lamas field is what we started with. The land owner Robin Woodsfords donated the field, on his beautiful 10 acres organic vineyard. What we had waiting in the wings was a strong core crew of 5 kiwis and 35 participants from all over ready to jump on board.
This site is North facing on the port hills of Christchurch, with amazing views and sheltered from the the southerly wind. perfect sport for the first Earthshiup community project to begin.
The vault and the tires can at the same time, and at the end of the day both were complate – tires at 5 courses and the rebar vault tied and ready for plaster. So we picked up the vault, in one piece and moved it to sit on top if the tire work!
After the cement bond beam formed by cans to hold the vault to the tires we plastered the vault 4 times. We surrounded the building with a the vapor barrier and rigid insulation and buried it with earth.
Organizing and designing the bottle wall was the next project next, which meant cutting glass bottles and taping end to end to make a brick that lets in light. At the same time, carpentry was under way to get the front face ready in for the front door and windows.
The roof then got a 2 inch layer of insulation and a vapor barrier and its last inch thick coat of plaster. We also build a parapet; cans layered up to create a water catchment which will run into the cistern buried in the berm of the building. Inside the tire walls were packed out to a nice shape and plastered.
A huge thanks to: The NZ team (Robin Woodsford, Mike Lilian, Turei, and Lachlan Grey), to to those who participated in the build, Brian our wonderful back how driver and hangi man, companies who donated materials (Fulton Hogan, Texco, Port-a-loos), Michael Reynolds for inspiring and leading our work and Rosa Henderson for organization.
Part 2! Finishes on the miniship – Christchurch
Hi there,
I was told to get in touch with you guys by Martin Luff from Wiki House. He was in touch with Elizabeth Guthrie and said I should contact you through the website.
Anyway what I am doing is a little promotion with By Anna. If you see the website I have put above you will see what she does. She makes lovely organic cakes. The promotion is for Valentines Day and we are creating a competition where we invite people to share a perfect valentines day on Facebook and tag By Anna in the status. We pick the winner who wins a romantic sunset dessert evening on the port hills. When I told Martin about it he suggested your structure as it would be ideal having a sheltered place that suits the aesthetic and has a great view. Looking at your photos I think this could be the perfect place. Would it be a possibility for us to use the space for a couple of hours on the evening of the 14th?
Look forward to hearing form you.
Regards,
Harry
The Australian automotive maret is all set to strike the top gear with the launch off a huve range of dynamic looking new cars for sale in the month of November, 2010.
Here are the results ffrom all three of theese auto websites:.
Your time is valuable to you; make the dealer respect your time by doing as much work foor you before yyou arrive.
Kia Ora, My son and I are soon to cycle round NZ as part of Be The Change NZ to inspire social and environmental change around Aotearoa. We’re looking for inspiring stories around land, waste, education and building/homes and just came across the micro-earthship in Christchurch. We’d oh so love to visit and make a short film about the project for our website, to hopefully inspire more people towards a mortgage free, sustainable home. We’re also playing a heap of gigs as part of the tour, telling stories of all the awesome things people are doing around the country and having a good time, and this place looks like it could be an amazing venue for an intimate crowd.
We’d love to hear from you if you’d be keen for a couple of visitors. You can check out more about our project at http://www.bethechange.net.nz.
Thanks for the inspiration, and our best wishes.
Robz and Matai, Raglan
Be The Change NZ