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straw bale house

New Strawbale/Cob/Rubble Foundation going up soon in North Georgia

Steve Lansing

Posts: 64

Location: Cumming, GA

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posted 10 years ago

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Ok, after all the reading I have taken the plunge and started the process to building my first home...a Strawbale/ Cob home in North Georgia, Dawson County. I now own 7.4 acres and am in the process of rezoning. That is a whole different story. So, a few points. If you are interested in helping in the process of removing trees or if you want some red oak, white oak, pine, poplar, or sweet gum, I have lots to cut down. Some trees I can not reach around, but having trouble finding someone to take it off the property. Once the building permit is approved, we will start the foundation, then frame, then roof. After dried in, the bales will be installed, with exterior natural cob and/or lime exterior. Lots to do and if any want to help, please contact me. May be a good opportunity to have classes if someone with lots of experience wants to use it for a forum of that type. I hope to keep everyone updated on the process and may have questions from time to time. Lot of smart people out there. Wish me luck and see you around Permies.
Rich

Rich. "Live&Love&Laugh"

David Guy

Posts: 1

Location: Atlanta, Ga

posted 10 years ago

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Steve,

I am an interested able-bodied Atlanta resident. I am really interested in building a house using Straw Bale or Cob and I wanted to find out how long you have come along since this post. Have you had any help with building? I would like to come help you and learn all about the building methods. I am usually free on weekends only or evenings after work (usually after 6pm). I don't have any experience with straw bales but I did help build a cop rocket mass stove for a farmer in Jasper last winter. I do have general carpentry skills and am not a stranger to sweat and hard-labor. Let me know if you are interested! Email me at guy.david.h@gmail.com

Steve Lansing

Posts: 64

Location: Cumming, GA

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posted 10 years ago

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Thanks David Guy. Keep a watch in your email for a reply. As of this moment, trees are dropping and I am in consultation with a grader to move lots of roots and dirt around. Starting on foundation next week or the following. Looks like temps are rising. I try to get up to Dawsonville Monday, Tuesday and soon Thursday evenings, with Saturdays another work day in morning or evening. Try to avoid the hot mid day. Thanks for your offer.

Rich. "Live&Love&Laugh"

Jeff Stagg

Posts: 11

posted 10 years ago

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How is the project coming along?

Steve Lansing

Posts: 64

Location: Cumming, GA

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posted 10 years ago

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Ok, Permies folks, here is the latest. Clearing is done, still lots of logs and brush to move, but the building site is level and starting the ball rolling on the permit. Still need to dig the footer. Anyone have a mini-escavator or regular escavator and know how to dig footers. Only need about 2 feet deep needed. Hope to start that soon. Then putting in the rubble foundation, insulate, then cap with a concrete block/ concrete pour to place the strawbales on. Slow start, wanted the foundation done in May, but lost my rezoning to some loud neighbors that did not like the idea of a B&B on their street nor do they like goats. Oh well, can still have goats, but had to revamp my plans with the house with the rezoning failure. Anyone wanting to get some hands on are still welcome to contact me. Dave has already come out once and every little bit helps. If you want some experience with foundations, strawbale, cob, timber frame, metal roof, digging plumbing, air tube cooling or other topics related, feel free to contact me. Regards.

Rich. "Live&Love&Laugh"

Steve Lansing

Posts: 64

Location: Cumming, GA

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posted 10 years ago

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OK all Permies out there, time for an update on the NE GA Straw bale adventure. Much has happened since I last updated, but alas I am behind on the schedule. Of the 7.4 acres purchased in Dawson Co. GA, about 3/4 acre has been leveled in three levels for construction of a strawbale home and a large garage/ work shed. A drive way has been cut, the entrance has gravel, a mail box is up, the water main has been installed, the temp power pole is up and half the outlets work, the septic tank/ drain field is in, two different retaining walls have been built, a rip rap swale has been installed, 6 earth tubes have been installed under the main structure, phase one (cottage) and phase two (cabin) and the footer has been dug and approved by the inspector. Shewww. Lots of work. Oh, almost forgot, a 30' L by 4' H by 6' wide huglekulture has been constructed with more to follow. Lots of downed trees with wood all over. Anyone wanting free firewood, please contact me. Anywho, working on trenches for water main and drain lines next. Hope to have that complete soon, then rubble foundation with French drain all in one. Working this Saturday the 8th of Nov. 2014. Anyone wanting to have some fun, work outside, enjoy the sun and 62 F, come on out. Can always use a hand. Best regards to all Permies and remember to spread the word. Good food and natural eating and life style are possible.

Rich

Rich. "Live&Love&Laugh"

Hawk Saunier

Posts: 1

posted 10 years ago

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Steve Lansing wrote:OK all Permies out there, time for an update on the NE GA Straw bale adventure. Much has happened since I last updated, but alas I am behind on the schedule. Of the 7.4 acres purchased in Dawson Co. GA, about 3/4 acre has been leveled in three levels for construction of a strawbale home and a large garage/ work shed. A drive way has been cut, the entrance has gravel, a mail box is up, the water main has been installed, the temp power pole is up and half the outlets work, the septic tank/ drain field is in, two different retaining walls have been built, a rip rap swale has been installed, 6 earth tubes have been installed under the main structure, phase one (cottage) and phase two (cabin) and the footer has been dug and approved by the inspector. Shewww. Lots of work. Oh, almost forgot, a 30' L by 4' H by 6' wide huglekulture has been constructed with more to follow. Lots of downed trees with wood all over. Anyone wanting free firewood, please contact me. Anywho, working on trenches for water main and drain lines next. Hope to have that complete soon, then rubble foundation with French drain all in one. Working this Saturday the 8th of Nov. 2014. Anyone wanting to have some fun, work outside, enjoy the sun and 62 F, come on out. Can always use a hand. Best regards to all Permies and remember to spread the word. Good food and natural eating and life style are possible.

Rich

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