BrindhaThyaga_Internship_Portfolio

INTERNSHIP PORTFOLIO

SACRED GROVES BRINDHA . T 16UG06013

There is acute shortage of affordable and ecological housing in auroville. SACRED GROVES is a housing community that aims to meet these needs. It also is an educational and research oriented project. Most works seen on site are done by unskilled volunteers, mostly students. This is a place where anybody can learn how to BUILD USING WHAT YOU HAVE AVAILABLE. SACRED GROVES is basically concerned about the innovative usage of ECOLOGICAL MATERIALS in construction, said to be more ecological than sustainable. The project is designed to be a model of ecological community living using ecological sensitive construction method.

Here we work as a team and as equals. Its non profit project. We just love what we do and grow while working together.

ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY LIVING Many of the problems of earth, soul and society are caused by the high-earning, high pressure, high carbon individualistic urban lifestyle that so many people lead. Instead we offer the opportunity for a simpler, more self-sufficient yet inter- dependent and ecological way of living that allows more time for family.

We aim to achieve this by providing low-cost, low- maintenance, off-grid ecological housing incorporating the following elements – ENERGY SELF SUFFICIENT using solar, wind, pumped storage and bio-mass systems.

WATER SELF- SUFFICIENCY - from rainwater and grey water harvesting FOOD SELF- SUFFICIENCY - from provision of organic vegetable gardens for each house.

PRESERVATION OF FORESTS areas sacred groves THICK WALLS AND PASSIVE COOLING SYSTEM negate the need of AC COMPOSTING TOILETS SHARED SPACES to Encourage community activities and inter-dependence.

FOR A STRUCTURE OF 1000SQ FT AREA : A CONVENTIONAL BUILDING emits 4 TONNE KG OF CO2 By opting for NATURAL BUILDING over conventional one, the architect chooses to SAVE UPTO 10.5 TONNE KG OF CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere making the building CARBON NEGATIVE structure.

COMMUNITY KITCHEN COMMUNITY KITCHEN IS A PART OF BASE CAMP WHICH IS BEING MADE FOR FUTURE VOLUNTEERS OF THE SITE. IT HAS A SEPARATE KITCHEN FOR AMMAS AND A SEPARATE ONE FOR VOLUNTEERS THE STRUCTURE IS MADE OF COB AND ADOBE.

WORKS DONE:

COB ADOBE ARCHES

SOIL TEST OBJECTIVE

To tests soils from different locations in order to understand its COMPOSITION AND COMPATIBILITY to various earth construction techniques.. the aim is to make any soil compatible for construction.

SEDIMENTATION TEST

Soil samples are put in individual bottles, along with a pinch of saltand water to submerge the soil.

Th sample bottles are left undisturbed for a period allowing the soil particles to settle down in distinct layers.

Percentage of each component is calculated by taking ihe height of layer into consideration.

DROP TEST

The soil samples are made into fist size balls these mud balls are dropped in the height of 3ft on a flat surface.

Depending on the extent of deformation and cracks formed , the inferences are drawn on the nature of soils for construction purpose.

COFFEE TALK

GANAPATI

WORKSHOP SACRED GROOVES

ENTRANCE SACRED GROOVES

SOIL IS COMPATIBLE FOR CONSTRUCTION WITH IDEAL AMOUNT OF CLAY.

C

MATERIALS USED Cob was chosen over other materials because it did NOT require HIGH SKILLED labor and any volunteer who joined the project could learn to do it with a very minimal training.

O B LAYING OF COB

EARTH (MUD)

Taking a tarp , earth and lime is mixed in the ratio 5 : 1 by adding sufficient water and stamped upon it till the MIXTURE IS PROPERLY BLENDED. After achieving the desired consistency straws are added envenly and then again stamped Once the mixture is mixed, Next is to check the STRENGHT OF THE COB with few tests.

After which its READY FOR USE.

LIME

STAMPING THE MIX

STRAWS

MIX BEING PREPARED

DROP TEST : pick a CHUNK OF THE COB and DROP IT from certain height. Then the chunk should merge with mixture . There should NOT be any CRACKS on the surface .

CRUNCH TEST : make a ball out of the mix take it near your ears and crush the ball , you must be able to hear the CRUNCHY SOUND.

LAYING OF COB

CIGAR TEST : Make a cigar shape out of mix and hold the mix with both your hands . you should pull the cigar horizontally and it SHOULDNT COME OUT EASILY.

DURABLE: Cob homes have lasted for years with min MAINTAINACE. FIRE PROOF : Cob does not catch fire.

ACOUSTIC PROPERTY: eliminate noises.

FREEDOM OF DESIGN: Cob is a technique where in different shapes and sculpturesque walls can be done.

ENERGY EFFICIENT : very effective in heat insulation.

INEXPENSIVE: easily accessible and cheap resources to acquire EASY EXECUTION: No skilled labor is required.

STRONG AND EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT: Straw is used in cob mix, acts like a NATURAL RE-BAR to hold the whole structure together as one MONOLITHIC PIECE. This makes cob homes extremely solid and resistant to earthquakes.

CRACK FILLING

Cracks are bound to be seen on the cob walls that is because of the DRYING process or AIR GAPS. There are two types of cracks STRUCTURAL AND NON STRUCTURAL CRACKS. Fixing NON STRUCTURAL CRACKS Take a cob batch with a HIGH amount of STRAWS in it.

Elongate the cob and HIT it on to the wall where the crack is.

Then using a stick try to push it inside the crack to FILL it well.

Smoothen the outer edge.

STITCHING

The bricks are made with LIME as BINDER, SAND as AGGREGATE and RICE HUSK and HUMAN HAIR as FIBRES. The mix is then put into BRICK MOULDS of size 12”X6” with a depth of 6”.

After taking the moulds out the bricks are dried. As the setting pace of lime is very SLOW ,take time before use.

The surface of the box should be MOISTENED before putting the mortar. Then a layer of MORTAR is put in the cracks and the boxes.

The mortar is made of the SAME MIX that the crack filling bricks are made of. Then the bricks are laid in the boxes.

DIGGING OUT

FIXING STRUCTURAL CRACKS

Rectangular boxes of size 12 X 6 and a depth of 6 are dug out from the wall. The box should be CENTRED with the crack and a gap of 6 should be left between each block craved out along the crack. In the same manner the boxes should be DUG OUT on the other side of wall too so that the crack will be STITCHED from both sides.

A

MATERIALS USED

D

ADOBE BRICK MAKING:

EARTH (MUD)

Collect 6 bands of earth .

Mix it by adding water.

After sometime, add rice husk to it and mix the batch untill we get the consistency.

Put the mixed batch in the BRICK MOULD of size 30cm 20cm 7cm.

Once the brick is ready, allow it to dry for two days in shaded place .

After two day. ogain dry it under direct sun light for a day.

O MAKING OF ADOBE BRICKS

E

LIME

LAYING OF ADOBE BRICKS

ADOBE BRICK LAYING:

STRAWS

For bick laying. the motar used is earth miXed with water. The course used to lay bricks folLows EnglIsh bond

B

Adobe brick is one of the ANCLENT building techniques.

It uses NATURAL and READILY available material Adobe bricks are a FIREPROOF, DURABLE yet BIO-DEGRADABLE, NON-TOXIC bulding material .

It has LOW SOUND transmission levels through walls Risk of extensive shrinkage and crocking is prevented as they are totaly dried before use.

It is TIME CONSUMING.and ECONOMICAL. Ratio 6:1 of earth and lime. (straws are added later)

TYPES OF ARCHES

A CATENERY ARCH is a type of arch that follows an INVERTED CATENARY CURVE. It has the ability to withstand the weight of the material from which it is constructed, WITHOUT COLLAPSING. For an arch of uniform DENSITY and THICKNESS, supporting only its OWN WEIGHT, the catenary is the IDEAL CURVE.

Catenary arches are STRONG because they redirect the vertical FORCE OF GRAVITY into COMPRESSIVE FORCES pressing along the arch’s curve.

R C BRICK ARCH

Framework and formwork is made using the CATENARY METHOD. After the formwork is dried, the sundried ADOBE BRICK laying is done.

The pattern of laying is such that it’s joints comes out to OVERLAPPING each other giving the arch GOOD strength.

COB ARCH

Framework and formwork is made using the CATENARY METHOD. After the formwork is dried, COBS are laid and MERGED in the same way as on the walls.

CORBELLED ARCH

It is made using COB BRICKS. The bricks are laid in such a way that every LAYER of the brick is EXTENDED 1 INCH. The COB BRICKS are laid and MERGED at the same time. Laying of the bricks has to be done from BOTH THE SIDES simultaneously and with EQUAL NUMBER OF LAYERS.

A

H E S

COMMUNITY KITCHEN

COMMUNITY KITCHEN

EARTHBAG DOME

EARTHBAG CONSTRUCTION IS AN ADVANCE BUILDING TECHNIQUE. THE CONCEIVED STRUCTURE HERE IS A SIMPLE DOME THAT USES USED CEMENT BAGS FILLED WITH EARTH AS BUILDING BLOCKS. MUD FLOORING YELLOW CLAY PAINT WORKs DONE: LIME PLASTERING LIME WASH

MATERIALS USED

MUD FLOORING

EARTH (MUD)

Collect the soil which has a CLAY composition of 10% - 25% and soak it in water for a day so that all LUMPS melts down.

Clean the surface and make the surface wet.

Apply the MUD over the surface, spread it using TROWEL. LEVEL IT using a PLANK. Dip SPONGE in WATER and rub it over the surface to get a FINISHED TEXTURE before it loses the consistency to work on.

Apply WAX over the surface such that it does NOT CHIP OFF.

YELLOW CLAY PAINT

YELLOW CLAY

YELLOW CLAY PAINT

MAIDA PASTE

LEVELLING WITH PLANK

It is a ORGANIC PAINT, which can be easily done by any UNSKILLED PERSON. Soak yellow clay in water, Sieve it in a finest filter. Add required amount of Maida Paste in the sieved clay.

MAIDA PASTE helps in preventing WATER PENETRATION. Chip off the lime marks from wall, as they wont bind with one another. Paint it smoothly ,apply 3-5 layers in different direction such that VOIDS In walls get FILLED

M Y A U E N D L D L F O L W O O C R L I A N Y G P A I N T

LIME

A white caustic ALKALINE substance consisting of CALCIUM OXIDE that can be used for construction.

TWO TYPES OF LIME : HYDRAULIC LIME - impure lime , less reactive and good workability.

NON HYDRAULIC LIME - pure lime , more reactive.

HYDRAULIC LIME

NON HYDRALIC LIME

SOURCES OF LIME :

LIME originates from LIMESTONE, a common SEDIMENTARY ROCK composed primarily of the MINERAL CALCITE (CaCo3) LIMESTONE constitutes approx 10% of SEDIMENTARY ROCKS exposed on the earth’s surface.

It forms either by DIRECT CRYSTALLISATION from water (seawater) or by accumulation of SHELL and SHELL FRAGMENTS.

In addition to being CARBON NEUTRAL, LIME have the following benefits : BREATHABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY DURABILITY ANTI BACTERIAL AESTHETIC APPEAL.

L I M E

MATERIALS USED

L I M E

LIME CHAKKI

LIME

LIME

KADUKKAIJAGGERY WATER

Economically EXTERIOR LIME PLASTERING: To prevent the building from direct action of rain and moisture, lime plaster is used for exterior plastering.

For this plastering, lime has to be prepared in a certain specific way.

Economically sustainable and it provides water resistance and breathability.

‘Kankar lime’is bought from the market.

It is having 25-30% lime and rest of it is impurities.

These impurities act as aggregates in the mix.9 baand of lime and 15 baands of quarry dust (m sand ) is mixed well, to make one batch in the lime chakki.

QUARRY DUST

QUARRY DUST

We want to avoid usage of river sand as it is not ecological. And quarry-sand is water resistant and has sharp edges which make for a compact arrangement

KADUKKAI-JAGGERY WATER 9kg kadukkai (powdered or crushed) and 10kg jaggery to 300 to 400 ltr of water and allowing it to ferment for a minimum of 2 days.

This mix is then put into Lime-Chakki and KadukkaiJaggery water is poured over it. The entire thing is made into a paste by running the chakki with the help of bulls.

It is estimated that after about 150 rounds of the chakki, the mix will attain the required consistency (from traditional knowledge).

Kadukkai and jaggery mix gels and binds lime and quarry sand very well.

C H A K K I

STORAGE

The prepared mix is then stored for FUTURE USE. Kankar lime is hydraulic lime and it will SET very SOON if EXPOSED TO AIR. Thus lime plaster is covered with kaudukkai-jaggerwater for 2 weeks (Lime plaster also sets under kadukkai- jaggery water but in a very slow rate.

Thus it should be ideally used up after 2 weeks of storage).

TEST FOR CONSISTENCY

It is an ANCIENT TECHNIQUE of grinding lime.

The chakki is a CIRCULAR pit with the diameter of 5m with a heavy circular GRINDING STONE pivoted at the centre.

STORAGE TANK

The grinding stone pulled

by BULLOCKS. Now a days TRACTORS are used.

The most common use of chakki is to create LIME PLASTER by adding dry mix first and then adding the additives as the tractor pulls the grinding stone.

TEST FOR CONSISTENCY

Take the mix in hand, leave little gap between the fingers and allow lime to fill in those gaps. Turn the palm upside down. If the mix WON’T FALL DOWN if the mix is good.

L L I A I M N M E D E

MATERIALS USED

LIME PLASTER

QUARRY DUST

LIME

Lime Plastering is a HOMOGENOUS mix of HYDRAULIC LIME (SIEVED) with the QUARRY DUST in the ratio of 3:5 in lime chakki mixed using Kadukkai - Jaggery water.

15 bands of Lime mix in which 1 litre of linseed oil is added and mixed with Kadukkai - Jaggery water.

LINSEED OIL is used for WATER PROOFING of walls.

LIME WASH

LIME PLASTER BEING APPLIED

KADUKKAI JAGGERY WATER LIME WASH

COW URINE

It is basically a FINAL COAT of Lime plastering.

Sea Shell Lime (slaked lime putty) - 1 band along with 1 litre of Cow urine and a handful of rock salt.

Here, COW URINE helps in binding lime with level code and in PREVENTING TERMITES and rock salt helps in binding of cow urine with lime putty

W A S H

P L A S T E R

XAHIR HOUSE

Xahir house is the first structure at the build free area of the base camp.

It was started with an idea of building with free will and the planning process was an organic one with the user direct participation and design being made on the spot w.r.t. movements of the user in space formed by volunteers making the make-shift wall/window/door by holding hands.

WORK DONE:

BAMBOO ROOFING LIMECRETE

B A M B O O

MATERIALS USED

BAMBOO ROOFING

BAMBOOS

The roof is SLOPPY in both directions. such that rain water collects in CENTRAL PATH of roof and FLOWS down towards ONE DIRECTION. The idea was to experiment LIMECRETE over the roof, such that lime after getting harden it should NOT CRACK and split. we designed to have a SPLIT BAMBOO layer throughout so that roof moves along with the external load rather than being a rigid one.

We treated bamboo and split them, nailed in bamboo beams such that the nailing is not in straight line, nailed angular, towards the node.

SPLITTING BAMBOOS

SPLIT BAMBOOS

SPLITTING BAMBOOS

BAMBOO NAILS

TOP VIEW

R O O F I N G

L I M E C R E T E

MATERIALS USED

LIMECRETE

BRICK WASTE

COCONUT COIR

Over the layer of split - bamboo roofing, COCONUT COIR bed was put which was dipped in a slaked lime such that when the Limecrete is applied coir bed WONT absorb lots of MOISTURE and all the voids would be already filled with shell lime.

This coir bed helps in BINDING bamboo flooring and limecrete such that they take up external load along with its form.

It is a mixture of LIME and BRICK WASTE in 1:4 ratio.

Lime- sieved stone lime in putty form.

Brick waste- Broken to tiny bits these are waste bricks from Brick kiln waste (20% of their each kiln) mixed with Kadukkai - Jaggery Water.

COCONUT COIR PLACED ON BAMBOO ROOFING

KADUKKAI JAGGERY WATER

LIME

LIMECRETE

prototype A set of 3 houses for 3 different kinds of users, inspired by CO HOUSING principles.

There are COMMON SHARED SPACES which increases chances for human interaction.

The prototype as it is rightly named is a culmination of all the beliefs of sacred groves.

Built using NATURAL and RECYCLED MATERIALS, the prorotype was made with the energy of many volunteers and students.

WORK DONE:

WATTLE AND DAUB

GROUND FLOOR

FIRST FLOOR

VIEW OF ROOF

SECOND FLOOR

COMMON SPACE

FIRST HOUSE

GROUND FLOOR SECOND HOUSE

GROUND FLOOR THIRD HOUSE

SECOND FLOOR

ROOF VIEW

W A T T L E

MATERIALS USED (Cob mix) Wattle and daub is a SIMPLE and very EFFECTIVE wall construction technique.

A WATTLE is a woven WOODEN SKELETON and DAUB is a STICKY MIXTURE of soil and fibres like RICE STRAW and RICE HUSK that is applied on the wattle.

It is a very EFFECTIVE in EARTHQUAKE areas.

EARTH (MUD)

MIX LAID FROM BOTH SIDES

LIME

STRAW MIX BEING LAID

PALM REEDS

VERTICAL supports made of COCONUT REAPERS were laid at intervals DIVIDING THE SPAN In the GAPS PALM REED were laid with the help of reapers .

Wet MIX OF COB is prepared.

The wet mix is then laid on the wattle from BOTH THE SIDES in such a manner that there were NO AIR GAPS left and then Its left to dry.

A N D D A U B

toilet block

The structure is made of EARTHCRETE. The LOWER LEVEL has the SHOWER AREA and the WASH BASINS. The HIGHER LEVEL is where the DRY COMPOST TOILETS are located.

In present scenario BLACK WATER is one of the vital POLLUTANTS in environment and RECYCLING it is quiet EXPENSIVE. If handled smartly this SOLID WASTE can be converted into very GOOD MANURE and can be used in AGRICULTURAL FIELDS. Moreover HUMAN FAECES gives the most NUTRITIOUS COMPOST because of the VARIETIES OF OUR DIET.

REAR ELEVATION

SEATING AND WASH AREA

WATER BODY

FRONT ELEVATION

SHOWER AREA

CIRCULAR OPENING

SIDE VIEW

INDIAN WC

ENTRANCE

COMPOST TOILET

A compost toilet is a type of toilet that treats human excreta by a BIOLOGICAL process .

WATERLESS composting toilet produces a VALUABLE FERTILIZER. It is carried out by MICRO-ORGANISMS.

AEROBIC PROCESS

We prefer aerobic composting because this gives FASTER BREAKDOWN, FASTER METABOLIC RATES and importantly NO FOUL SMELLS. Aerobic breakdown the bacteria ‘BREATH’ OXYGEN and consume the CARBON in the waste.

CARBON ADDITIVES such as SAWDUST is added after each use.

This practice creates AIR POCKETS in the human excrete to promote AEROBIC DECOMPOSITION.

COMPOST TOILETS completely ELIMINATE the CENTRALIZED SEWAGE SYSTEM of transporting and treating waste water.Since it is a waterless system, huge amounts of water wasted in FLUSHING is AVOIDED. Thus WATER POLLUTION and spread of DISEASES is also ELIMINATED. HUMANURE being a RICH FERTILIZER can be used for GARDENING, AGRICULTURE and also as a FUEL.It complete the NATURAL CYCLE of what grow from the earth RETURNS BACK to it.

Other by-product of the dry composting toilets like URINE(excellent fertilizer) and water from BUM-WASH can be treated and used in the GARDENS.

MATERIALS USED RATIOS USED 1:9:18 (cement:earth:aggregate) The ratio is changed according to the type of Eorth size of AGGREGATES and the kind of structural material it goes into.

EARTH (MUD)

MIX BEING PREPARED

AGGREGATE

RAMMING

CEMENT

Earthcrete is a another technique used in sacred groves which is 1.6 times STRONGER than the normal concrete.

It is a SUSTAINABLE material.

They are used in the prototype houses and also in the toilet block, as they carry greater load.

Earthcrete is a UP- CYCLING Process of demolished CONSTRUCTION WASTE, increasing it’s value, one among the major issue in harming environment.

Earthcrete is a concrete mix of composed of CEMENT, SOIL, AGGREGATES in the ratio based on soil type, size of aggregates and structural element.

In Sacred Groves based on the soil composition we apply ratio of 1: 9 :18 Mix the ratio in dry way equally and then add water and mix simultaneously.

Pour the mix and RAM it such that it fills in everywhere and LEVEL the surface.

E A R T H C R E T E

M U D

MATERIALS USED

EARTH (MUD)

Earth (mud) , chopped straws and water is mixed in 4:1:1 ratio.

Required amount of MUD and STRAWS mixed with water until rigth consistency is acheived.

The wall must be sprinked with water before applying and after completion it must be CHISELED all over surface in order to FLAT the surface.

Using FLOATER the surface is levelled uniformly thereby DEPRESSION and BUMPS are taken care during this process.

We need to FILL the dennts on the mud wall with chunks o plaster and make the surface flat ,this is called a SCRATCH COAT.

STRAWS

COW DUNG

MIX BEING PREPARED

Two more layers of mud plaster is applied on scratch coat and SIEVED EARTH is used on the final coat for smooth surace.

In the FINAL COAT COW DUNG in added along with earth and straw.

FINAL COATBEING APPLIED

P L A S T E R

MATERIALS USED

A L R A O A N H I D I S H P L A S T E R

LOHI PLASTER

Sevied LIME and BRICK powder is mixed with water in 2 : 1 ration This mix is grinded on a grinding stone.

This is a SLOW PROCESS and done until the mix becomes FINE. SEVIED LIME

LOHI MIX

ARAISH PLASTER

SEVIED LIME and SHELL LIME is mixed with water in 2 : 1 ration This mix is grinded on a grinding stone (ammi kallu).

This is a SLOW process and done until the mix becomes FINE.

MARBLE POWDER ARAISH MIX IN AAMI KAL

BRICK POWDER

FINISHING COAT on lime plaster is applied with either of these two types (lohi or araish plaster).

These are DURABLE and FLEXIBLE less PRONE to CRACKS and ANTI FUNGAL. They set slowly and caustic while wet.

MATERIALS USED (GRASS LIKE PLANT-REED)

THATCH is the most

WATER REED

WHEAT STRAW

RICE STRAW

commonly used roof , although it is barely recognized by construction experts.

In INDIA, for example, some 40 million houses are thatched.

Almost any VEGETABLE MATERIAL, from the bark of trees to finely-tapering water reeds, can be used, though grasses, reeds and palms are most common.

WATER REED is most DURABLE, but cereal straw (mainly wheat, and rice) is more widely AVAILABLE. The less artificial fertilizer is used, the less susceptible they are to FUNGAL ATTACK.

Fortunately, when RAIN strikes a roof it does not strictly follow the LAWS OF GRAVITY and will happily run across a surface, as long as it’s in a DOWNWARDS direction. The surface itself does not have to be waterproof, as long as it is steep enough to speedily SHED the water before it can PENETRATE that surface.

With a thatched roof the water is also constantly forming drops, by dripping as it flows over the roof. As long as both thatch and roof structures are at the Left to right -A full hipped end at 45 degrees. A half hipped end at CORRECT ANGLE water will not 50 degrees. And a full gabled end at 55 degrees. It is noticeable how penetrate MORE THAN AN INCH (25mm). much longer the roofs get, as the roof pitch increases. Water is shed So the working surface of a more efficiently. A roof structure, with a minimum pitch of 45 thatched roof is degrees, is necessary for a successful thatched roof. 50 to 55 degrees actually quite thin. of pitch is more desirable. A steeply pitched roof is of the utmost importance.

T H A T C H R O O

ROOF-WORK TOOLS: PEN-KNIFE for opening

bundles and cutting ties; LEGGATT for beating the thatch upwards to tighten the thatch coat; TRIMMING KNIVES for tidying completed work GRASS IS SORTED: short grass for eaves, gable edges and top course; long grass for rest of roof.

Thatch roofs are generally not suitable for RAINWATER COLLECTION, unless a wide GUTTER - 30 cm minimum - is provided. A method called “ TILE SUBSTITUTION”, developed and tested by Nicolas Hall, BURNT CLAY TILES are substituted for thatch on the FIRST course, producing a hard, straight cave. By doing so, the eaves are significantly The main drawback of collecting rainwater from thatch strengthened only a 10 cm gutter is needed (cheap, easily roofs is that DEBRIS will first available, easily fixed); and the FIRE be washed off, RISK is considerably reduced. contaminating the water.

Hence, methods should be employed to discard the first flush of debris laden water.

TOTAL THATCH thickness is 30 cm.

After fixing, the GRASS is WEDGED tightly into the ties. The compacted surface forms a pitch, similar to rafters, and exposes only 2 - 3 cm of each stem. A slight tip should be left at the top of each course end will be driven back with the next course to form a neat and invisible junction.

THATCHING METHOD Thatching begins at a RIGHT-HAND verge and can be worked in VERTICAL lanes or HORIZONTAL sections.

The FIRST COURSE of thatch has the greatest vulnerability to wind damage, it needs to be very SECURE. Thatch is placed in horizontal layers, approx. 20 cm thick, secured by STITCHING, layer by layer, at approx. half-way between cut end and ear.

Layers OVERLAP as tiling, so fixings are covered and protected.

MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS ARE APPROX. 10 BUNDLES PER M2 OF ROOF AREA; LABOURS -1200/EXPERIENCED WORKERS SHOULD FIX 10 TO 20 M2 PER DAY. TOTAL COST - 2400/- PER DAY