New eco house in the Leachkin area of Inverness is a chance to provide unique learning opportunities for those interested in a key part of the process also being planned – materials used include locally sourced timber and straw
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A new home being built to exacting green standards is taking shape in the Leachkin area of Inverness – with a chance to provide unique learning opportunities for those interested in a key part of the process also being planned.
The two-bedroom house is being constructed in the grounds of the Anam Cara retreat centre which provides workshops and training in a range of alternative health practices.
It is being built by self-employed builder Gaspard Meric, who moved to the Highlands from his native France in 2014. He is working to a design by Maitri Architecture on behalf of client Alasdair Cunningham.
Giving details of the eco-friendly home, Mr Meric said: “It is made out of locally sourced Douglas fir and spruce for the structure.
“The floor and the walls will be insulated with 350mm of straw rendered with lime on both sides.
“The turf roof will be insulated with warmcell – which is recycled paper – on site.”
Mr Cunningham and a team of helpers are assisting with the construction, with the aim of having the roof on for August, ahead of the insulating straw baling arriving on site.
It is at this point that others will have a chance to learn, with three “work week opportunities” offered from July 28-August 3, August 4-11 and August 11-18.
Detailing the opportunities on the Anam Cara website, would-be participants are told: “The three work weeks will be focused entirely on the straw bale build and will be of particular interest to those thinking of building their own straw bale dwelling.
“However, it is also open to anyone who is interested in just ‘getting involved’ in this inspiring communal project and learning new skills during the process.”
Mr Meric said: “The advantage of this kind of structure is that it is made out of locally sourced products and building with timber and straw is a good way of storing carbon.
“The use of concrete is very low, that’s why the house is sitting on a wooden structure.
“And straw is cheap, even though the whole process needs a lot of labour.”
The tightly compacted straw is also highly fire resistant.
However Mr Meric did admit there is also a downside to using straw in as much as it does not like humidity.
“That’s why every little detail has to be well looked at,” he said.
“The straw has to be stored in a dry place and stay dry during the project.
“The overhangs of the roof have to be more than 500mm and the structure also needs a good foundation system to avoid the moisture coming up.
“But straw bale houses in the Highlands are not new.
“I have heard of about 10 projects like this already – on the Black Isle, in Cannich, Muir of Ord, Forres and Findhorn.”
Anam Cara was established in 2003, and has developed ‘organically’ with a range of buildings and landscaping initiatives.
• For more details of the work weeks and the organisation, visit here.
