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March 23, 2007

Woodless Construction

Woodless construction is an approach to building in the sahel that uses traditional building techniques to build houses entirely out of mud, including the roof. Such houses save on scarce wood, encourage local industry by using local skills and materials, and provide good internal comfort, staying warm in cold season, and cool in hot season.

This is one of the house models we used in Gorom-Gorom when rebuilding for people after the flood in 2006. I also had one built in my yard as part of the Gorom-Gorom ministry centre. Steve also hopes to build the radio station in this style.

The walls are solidly built, and exactly measured for the position of each brick. Using a metal pivot for the positioning, grooves are then carved in the walls, and specifically-made smaller bricks are then placed solidly in to begin to form the domed roof. The smaller bricks are also used to make the "lintel" over the doorway.

The roof is built up layer by layer, carefully following the exact positioning of the pivot. The roof is strong enough for people to climb on top

This is the woodless construction I had built in my yard. The roof is finished, and just the doors, windows, and plastering remain to be done. On the right is a view of the roof from inside.

For more information about woodless construction, see the website of the Development Workshop, with whom we worked to build these houses.

Tags: burkina faso africa burkina flood building woodless construction sahel emergency housing aid

Posted by Keith at March 23, 2007 01:45 PM