Castlegar BC, Canada
Castlegar, BC: July 7-13, 2011
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**This workshop is FULL**
**If you’d like to be placed on the wait list, please contact andrew@strawbaleworkshops.com**
In the hosts own words:
It has been my dream for the past 15 years to build a straw bale home. I just love the energy that flows through the interior curves and exudes from the natural elements of the materials. As the years fly by, I realize that I must pursue my dream while I’m still young enough to enjoy the process. My life has been a sequence of serendipitous events that all linked together and brought me here to beautiful British Columbia from my hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Striking out on my own with a spirit of adventure, I now live in Castlegar which is a short drive from historic Nelson, BC. My grown children live nearby so I see them regularly….Life is Good!!
When I turned 50, I made a 5 year plan for myself that included working as a tree planter, trekking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal and moving to BC. I met these major goals (along with many other minor ones). Having just turned 55, I have a new 5 year plan and building my straw bale dream home is at the top of the list. Owning a German Shepherd puppy was also on the list but I checked that one off as a gift to myself on my birthday….so “Tucker” will be joining us in the building process.
My home will be a 1785 sq. ft slab on grade, one story, 3 bedroom home. My focus in life is to be a “Doula for the Dying” so the extra 2 bedrooms will be available to palliative care patients who choose to transition from life in the comfort of a home environment rather than a hospital. I just finished a business plan to create my own home care service called “Heart To Hand” (another item on my previous 5 year plan). Specializing in palliative care is my life’s calling and the energy that straw bale offers will be very conducive to creating a relaxing, warm and nurturing environment for those individuals who are in need of comfort as they transition.
I am also building a smaller (896 sq ft) structure that will serve as a guest cottage for family members of my clients. It will also be a one story, slab on grade open concept design.
I will be using modified post and beam framing which was recommended by our local straw bale specialist, Habib Gonzales. Rather than actual beams, studs and plywood are constructed to form a modified beam which should prove to be more economical.
The home will be built on 6.8 acres of elevated, contoured land with a breathtaking, panoramic view of the mountains. There are 2 other straw bale homes in this rural subdivision. I had the opportunity to help my neighbours last summer at their straw bale work party and it was a blast!! I look forward to meeting you and enjoying the same camaraderie as we bale and stucco my home!
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