January 31 particpated in a 土作り (Tsuchizukuri) workshop in Fujino, Kanagawa Prefecture. A cohousing complex utilizing natural building materials is being built for four families. The architect is Takahiro Yamada, principle architect of BioForms, an ecological design firm. Yamada-sensei also teaches at Nihon University and Permaculture Center Japan. The cohousing complex features a timber frame, bamboo and earthen plaster on the interior, wool insulation, and wood siding on the exterior. A series of workshops are being held in conjunction with the construction of the building. The workshop I attended involved preparing the earthen plaster.
Kyuji Katsumata, a reknowned plasterer based in Tokyo, lead the workshop.
Suitable soil from Saitama Prefecture was brought to the sight, mixed with water, and kneaded. Straw was cut in to 5cm lenths using a large engine driven mulcher/chipper.
Equal amounts by volume of straw and mud were mixed by foot.
A shallow trough was dug in the top of the piles of mud and filled with water. The pilles were covered and left to ferment for half a year before being used.
A blog describing the project can be found at
http://blog.canpan.info/nagaya
Suitable soil from Saitama Prefecture was brought to the sight, mixed with water, and kneaded. Straw was cut in to 5cm lenths using a large engine driven mulcher/chipper.
Equal amounts by volume of straw and mud were mixed by foot. A shallow trough was dug in the top of the piles of mud and filled with water. The pilles were covered and left to ferment for half a year before being used.
