| Building Bryan & Lois's Cordwood Masonry Home |
Cordwood masonry building uses small wood pieces laid in mortar for a super insulated and inexpensive wall.
Local woodlots can be used, and no old growth trees are cut, nor is there added cost or energy in milling
and refining the wood. Bryan & Lois are using trees from an overly dense forest on their property in
Woodland Park, Colorado to build their home. It will employ mostly solar technology for heating &
electrical needs. They plan to "research, learn, and practice high altitude gardening."
Local woodlots can be used, and no old growth trees are cut, nor is there added cost or energy in milling
and refining the wood. Bryan & Lois are using trees from an overly dense forest on their property in
Woodland Park, Colorado to build their home. It will employ mostly solar technology for heating &
electrical needs. They plan to "research, learn, and practice high altitude gardening."
"September 2003 marked one
year since we started
construction (mostly working
weekends) of our “earth and tree
house”. With the structure’s
framing somewhat complete, we
began the first wall of
cordwood/masonry. The sand,
clay, and wood for the wall
material have and will come
from our land. The colder
nights will postpone our mortar
work for now, but a completed 3’
x 8’ section of wall gives a nice
visual of what’s to come. This
fall and winter we will work on
the framing for the future
windows and doors along with
topping the roof with metal.
Wrapping both soffit and fascia
with metal also renders this type
of home construction quite
fireproof." Lois
year since we started
construction (mostly working
weekends) of our “earth and tree
house”. With the structure’s
framing somewhat complete, we
began the first wall of
cordwood/masonry. The sand,
clay, and wood for the wall
material have and will come
from our land. The colder
nights will postpone our mortar
work for now, but a completed 3’
x 8’ section of wall gives a nice
visual of what’s to come. This
fall and winter we will work on
the framing for the future
windows and doors along with
topping the roof with metal.
Wrapping both soffit and fascia
with metal also renders this type
of home construction quite
fireproof." Lois
| Peeling logs the old fashioned way |
| The First Floor |
| The Second Floor |
| Nice Ceiling! |
| Close-up of a finished section of cordwood/masonry. |
| For more info on Cordwood/Masonry, go to www.daycreek.com |
| Bryan & Lois's cordwood masonry home as of August 2004. |
| A finished cordwood masonry house with a living roof. Picture courtesy of Earthwood Building School. |
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| Pikes Peak Permaculture Sustainable Organic Living |
| See more unusual housing options by CLICKING HERE |
Modules on the barn
feed the house.
feed the house.
The finished product! A
completely hand built
Cordwood Masonry home
currently averaging $24. month
in utility costs high in the
mountains of Colorado.
completely hand built
Cordwood Masonry home
currently averaging $24. month
in utility costs high in the
mountains of Colorado.
The Greenhouse |
This greenhouse design
employs a subterrainean
heating and cooling
system. For more
information, go to
Sunnyjohn.com
employs a subterrainean
heating and cooling
system. For more
information, go to
Sunnyjohn.com