We would like to express our thanks to retiring board members Max Vittrup Jensen and Jack Stephens, also co-founder of NBN, for their service to the organization and the world.  We wish them blessings and profound happiness.

Mt Vernon, KY

After recently attending a 4-day cob building workshop with my 62 year-old mom and 8-year-old daughter, I can officially say there are now 3 generations of fierce cob building women in my family! So I am personally excited to announce our featured member this quarter – Diane Jennings of Disputanta Cob in Mt. Vernon, KY.  Much to my happy surprise, after living on the west coast for the last 5 years, I have come back home to Kentucky to find the natural building movement is alive and kicking in this neck of the woods too.

Diane is the mastermind behind Disputanta Cob, a group of tight-knit and big-hearted local community members who promote and teach natural building. Located in the gorgeous foothills of Central KY where spring water is plentiful, land is reasonably priced, and there are few building restrictions, the setting is perfect for natural building. Diane has a knack for drawing people of diverse ages and backgrounds to her workshops (ours included many kids from still in the womb to a gaggle of teenagers all the way through to elders). The community support network is thriving from amazing local chefs to tractor-cob mixing neighbors to near-by permaculture goddesses turning barren hilltop soil into lush gardens.  Disputanta builds with lime mortars and plasters, cob and other earthen materials, and salvaged items. Through teaching, example and open-hearted invitations, their vision includes making natural building readily accessible to a population that has historically faced  issues of deeply-rooted poverty. Diane’s mentor is Christina Ott of Artisan Builders Collective (formerly Barefoot Builders) based out of Tennessee.

If you would like to nominate a future featured member please contact us at office@nbnetwork.org.

Santa Barbara, California 93105
United States

Oasis Design is a family owned, home-based design consulting and publishing business. We’ve been developing original designs for living better, cheaper, & more ecologically since 1980. Find our books and services at www.oasisdesign.net

There was a fair amount of time on the trip home to reflect on the statement that Jack Stephens made at the International Natural Building Colloquium 2008: “We need to build more GOOD buildings.” It reminded me of the first exam essay I had to write in Architecture 101, about the Vitruvian trilogy of Firmitas, Utilitas and Venustas – the three essential traits of “good” buildings. In the vocabulary of sustainable building, these are roughly translated as durability, functionality, and beauty.

In terms of creating good, sustainable buildings, current guidelines and literature generally agree about the basics of design, material selection and installation. As I’ve traveled and worked since finishing the Sustainable Building Design and Construction program at Fleming College, I’ve found that detailing and durable building design practices vary widely. Some of these differences are characterized as matters of opinion or regional variation, while in other cases I’ve found many owner-builders and beginning builders are reluctant to dig for guidance about construction details in long narratives about alternative building.

So far I have only found a few reliable construction notes, straw bale construction details and readily-available resources. Some builders and organizations have developed their own construction notes and details, and a few NBN members have recommended gathering a more comprehensive resource of specifications and construction details.

On the surface it appears to be a monumental task, but I would note as well that it’s already happening: each time designers approach a new set of conditions or parameters; each time we experiment with innovative materials; and each time builders sketch up new details to resolve an issue caused by changes during construction.

Reviewing, synthesizing and organizing the aggregate of that information might pose an initial challenge. Others have already shown that adopting CSI numbering and standard code references, where applicable, facilitates easy integration of alternative construction practices into standard design, permitting & construction project management processes.

Our goal is to produce a reliable package of construction details, schematics and specifications to be used by designers and builders that could be kept current with bibliographic references and research.

One possibility that has been raised is that of holding a “blueprints, details and specs drive” to get started – maybe not this year’s hottest items, but documentation that is two, five, ten years old and could afford to see the light of day again. For consistency’s sake, it would also be nice to know from other builders what drafting and graphics software they usually find themselves using.

I’ve also begun gathering some other helpful documents on getting started in natural and sustainable building, and would appreciate some input on business registration, contractor licensing and insurance coverage for professional builders working in more than one state or province in the same year.

Shortly after returning from California, I had a chance to visit the local apprenticeship and training office. I was pleased to find out that I can apply most of the hours I’ve worked on natural building projects toward a carpenter’s journeyman qualification. Glad to find that keeping a detailed daily log as well as photographic records and other documentation came in handy!

Based on background information from the California Apprenticeship Coordinators Association and apprenticeship resources in Canada, the following consistent traits shape a meaningful definition and framework for apprenticeship:

• The apprenticeship system has existed almost from the dawn of recorded history. Currently, there are more than 800 apprenticeship occupations in the United States.
• An apprentice is an employee who receives an hourly wage and other benefits while learning a craft/trade.
• The vast majority of training occurs on-the-job, and is supplemented by classroom instruction. Most qualified building trades complete 2000-8000 hours of training.
• The apprentice works side-by-side with an experienced craftsperson or “journeyperson.”
• To become a qualified journeyman, an apprentice carpenter in Ontario must demonstrate a high level of competency in 98 individual skill sets in 17 general skill areas – 5 of these are related to construction in general, and the other 12 are specific to the trade.

In Canada, there are many substantial incentives for the development of apprenticeable trades for apprentices and employers alike. In addition to thoroughly reviewing the journeyman qualification application and carpentry apprenticeship standards manual, I have had a few chances to review proposed models for specialized sustainable building apprenticeships based on this model. The language and format of the carpentry model can easily be adapted to the skill sets desirable of capable sustainable builders. Identifying and organizing these useful skills and attributes will take some brainstorming, shuffling and reorganizing. I would welcome anyone willing to jot down some notes, lists and ideas to join me in a discussion about gathering and organizing building skills and professional credentials. Many accredited institutions already offer well-developed courses and continuing education units (CEUs) that help to develop design skills, understanding of professional practices, construction management and building science, and fulfill train-the-trainer requirements.

If anyone is familiar with union-based trade apprenticeships or timber framing apprenticeships, or can share resources that shed light on their format, I would appreciate their input. Also, comments from anyone familiar with designing a curriculum with reference to identified construction standards would be appreciated. As has been shown to be effective with construction documentation, borrowing the language and format of conventional trade qualifications seems a convenient way to build wider opportunities and recognition for the natural building movement.

References:

In addition to the background information and initial suggestions outlined above, I have a few extended reference documents pertaining to apprenticeship, a working draft outline of skill sets for sustainable building design and construction, and working draft strategies for developing apprenticeship and specification initiatives. I am willing to share and collaborate on these upon request to sarahjseitz at gmail dot com.

Specifications and Construction Notes

California Straw Bale Code:
http://www.dcat.net/resources/California_Straw_Bale_Code.pdf

Straw Bale Details:

http://www.newsociety.com/bookid/3791

Construction Specifications Institute – Information on CSI MasterFormat:

http://www.csinet.org/s_csi/sec.asp?TRACKID=&CID=5&DID=5

Background on CSI & MasterFormat, from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction_Specifications_Institute

CSI MasterFormat Division List:

http://www.constructionnotebook.com/ipin2/CSIDivisions.asp

Canada – National Master Specification:

http://www.innovative.ca/downloads/Support/ug2000-e.pdf

Education:

The Sustainable Building Design and Construction program at Sir Sandford Fleming College is an intensive, hands-on college certificate course founded and taught by Chris Magwood. Over the course of 20 weeks, students in the course construct a public building from the ground up, each taking responsibility for an individual aspect of the structural construction, mechanical systems installation or project and site management. Students learn about the design and installation of alternative foundations, wall systems, roofs and finishes, as well as siting considerations, renewable energy and water collection and disposal alternatives. Having gained experience with straw bale building, salvaged materials, cob, plasters, stud and timber framing, and natural finishes, students have gone on to work as consultants, builders, designers and instructors.

The work of current and previous course years can be seen here:

www.sustainablebuilding2009.ca

www.sustainablebuilding2008.ca

www.sustainablebuilding2007.ca

www.sustainablebuilding2006.ca

Apprenticeships:

California Apprenticeship Coordinators Association

Apprenticeship in Ontario (Ontario Ministry of Colleges, Universities & Training)

The Ellis Chart – Comparative chart of apprentice training programs across Canada

The Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program

Western Apprenticeship Coordinators’ Association

In Ontario, journeyman qualification and apprenticeship training standards are broken down into 98 individual skill sets in 17 training units. Below is an overview of training units for apprenticeship and journeyman qualification in carpentry:

1451. Protect Self and Others
1452. Operate Tools and Equipment
1453. Prepare Site For Building
1454. Execute Form Work
1455. Frame Floors and Walls
1456. Construct Heavy Framing
1457. Frame Roofs
1458. Apply Exterior Finishing Materials
1459. Install Finished Materials to Walls and Ceilings
1460. Apply Interior Finishing Materials
1461. Use Plans and Sketches and Estimate Costs
1462. Build Stairs
1463. Install Doors, Frames and Hardware
1464. Carry Out Landscape and Site Work
1465. Erect and Dismantle Scaffolds
1466. Cut Mild Steel
1467. Weld Mild Steel

At their annual general meeting in March, the OSBBC established committees to review and finalize two sets of documents: one for apprenticeship in straw bale building (based on the model of the carpentry apprenticeship in Ontario), and another for standardized straw bale construction notes. To join the OSBBC and committees to participate in the review, please visit www.osbbc.ca.

Contractor Licensing:

It should be noted that completion of any trade qualification is separate and distinct from obtaining business and contractor licensing. More information on obtaining contractor’s licenses can be found here:

Contractors’ License Reference Site

How to Start a Construction Business in Ontario

I have always loved building and making things. I went to architecture school in order to do that professionally, yet when it was over, I found myself spending 40+ hours a week behind a glowing screen instead. I worked in an office and became LEED certified, heavily involved with several ‘green’ buildings, but still, I knew the details that I was drawing weren’t truly sustainable. I felt the need to direct my energy in a more positive way.

I was considering grad school, but the cost was high and not necessarily going to bring the fruits I desired. Thus far I had built with Timberframe, Strawbale, Cordwood and Cob and was hungry for so much more. What I had learned through my natural building experiences really resonated with my beliefs, so I opted to focus on builder training instead. I decided to leave my architecture job and take a leap of faith into the world of natural building. How else would I ever reach my dreams of having a natural homestead to share with others one day?

As a designer, I really wanted to understand the larger implications of natural building. What wall systems are most appropriate in which climates? What types of business models really work and support the education process yet also provide a good living in today’s uncertain economy? In order to answer these questions, I felt the need to create an educational program for myself that involved traveling and experiencing many different sides of our community.

In July 2008, I left my steady job, darling home, garden and friends in Eugene, Oregon. My journey began with the basics – a few weeks of cob building and work trade at the Cob Cottage Company in Coquille, Oregon; one of the most holistic Natural Building Schools out there. Then I hopped down to Cuyama, California to study Permaculture with Geoff Lawton at Quail Springs Learning Oasis. I felt that a Permaculture Design Course at the beginning of my trip would really help me maintain the larger picture of what I was studying and why natural building is so important. Soon after, I would be back on the job site and into the details again. Next in New Mexico, I visited earthships and studied timber-framing and Light Clay-Straw with the EcoNest Building Company, perhaps one of the country’s most professional natural building firms with a focus on demonstrating the health benefits of natural homes and how a successful design-build business can be run. Next I made sure to have some fun and get in touch with the rest of my community by attending the 2008 International Natural Building Colloquium near Santa Barbara, California to geek-out and talk about nothing but natural building for a week – simply great! While there, I met several folks who opened even more doors for me, but that comes later. Next I was off to Thailand to bring it all together for a few months and build a two-story adobe home for the owners of a Living Seed Bank called Pun Pun. This period of self-sufficient living really helped me ground all the things I had learned and  time to think about the potential implications.

On my return, it was time to start turning this dream into a profession. I had managed to acquire a client for a Light Straw-Clay house and developing the drawings per code was a great learning experience. I also lined up a few workshops to teach and build things such as ovens and benches wherever possible. I’m now at a project hosted by BambooDNA and soon onto creating a sculpture for the city of Ithaca. My new life is taking shape and several exciting projects are starting to fill my schedule. I find myself really quite knowledgeable about a wide range of natural building techniques and when they are appropriate. I am eager to share and pass on what I’ve learned with others. My deepest gratitude goes out to everyone who opened up their homes to me during my travels and sincere thanks to everyone who believed in me and helped me realize my dreams. And a word of advice for anyone who is interested in learning the craft of natural shelter—you can do it too!

If you’d like to learn more and see photographs of any of these experiences, check out my website at:

www.dayonedesign.org

or my blog at:

www.dayonedesign.blogspot.com