A Mexican Home Built by Youth from America
by Melissa Malouf – Crested Butte, Colorado
It is natural, so to speak, that youth should be involved in natural building. As kids, we inherently love mud, and there is no reason why this should change as we grow up. The nontoxic nature of straw bales and earth lends itself to all types of experimentation, by kids of all ages. I recently learned that leading a group of young adults can be strangely similar to leading older adults. But, the benefits of teaching these techniques and ways of living to younger people might have an even deeper impact on what we are all looking for in the future.
Alfred von Bachmayr and I had the opportunity to lead the construction of the first straw-bale house built by the Casas de la Cruz mission group, a joint project of St. Marc’s Parish of Independence, Missouri, and Anapra, Mexico.
For 14 years, St. Marc’s has been building concrete block houses in a squatter settlement (known as a “colonia”) of Ciudad, Juarez. On seeing a straw-bale home desined by Alfred and created by Builders Without Borders in Anapra, Jim Kennedy, the mission director of St. Marc’s, decided to learn more about it and make sure his next project home was built of straw.
In a wonderful partnership, St. Marc’s works closely with a local women’s group brought together by Casas de la Cruz. Among other services, they build three homes per year. Kennedy brought this idea to the women who choose the families, check papers and acquire materials after visiting the BWB straw-bale site and seeing a slide presentation. The women were enthusiastic about trying strawbale, but admittedly knew nothing about it. All of the logistics fell onto the parish volunteer, Julie Winklejohn, herself a first timer with straw bale, and with construction in general.
We had two weeks to complete a small home for the family. Two different American mission groups of eight college students from Missouri, each participated for a week (with a couple days off for cultural activities). Four people participated through Builders Without Borders, for varying days or weeks.
I was definitely feeling a time crunch. We arrived to find the urbanite (recycled concrete) foundation already in place and lumber lined up. Unfortunately, the pile of bales had lots of undesirables, but it worked in the end. It just required a little more attention to what went in the wall.
Alfred and I were staying in the same houses with the group. This turned out to be a lot of fun and allowed for greater connection. The first day, excited and confused, ready to work and not understanding, we began our site orientation with a special focus on safety. After discussing the day’s goals, each person was directed to various projects: building door and window bucks, helping with pallet truss construction (see TLS #38), and working on excavation. After explaining what a ‘good bale’ is, bales were sorted and positioned around the foundation and corner posts were set. The next day we began to lay bales.
Working with younger people proved to be much the same as working with adults, with a little more giggling thrown in. As with typical workshop participants, or any building project with experienced workers, people are happy to work as long as they are directed. The most important, and at times difficult, part is giving constant direction to volunteers in order to keep things moving and to realize everybody’s potential. Keeping an easygoing attitude is crucial, and hanging a list of ‘activities to keep your hands moving’ doesn’t hurt either. There are many options of activities for differing and declining energy levels. Cleaning the site, gathering, raking, chopping straw and making U-pins are a few. These things often get overlooked until the last minute when everyone has left. They can be the perfect thing for those who just can’t lift another bale, or have to get away from the straw. As it is for adults, bale construction proved to be hard work for the crew of college kids, with some pooping-out sooner than others. Finding ways to rotate crews and allowing rest time, as well as snacks, is very important.
Bale raising, even if heavy and slow going at times, was exciting for the group. There seemed to be a sense of pride in what they were doing. The hardest parts always seem to be the end stages. People are tired and stuffing holes is never as exciting as stacking bales. Yet, we got through it all with surprisingly straight walls, and wiped-out, but content kids, who were happy for the experience.
Now, the walls were up and the roof was on. We awaited the next group, wondering if we could finish it all in the week. I can never tell which is more difficult, raising bales or plastering. Even with lifting bucket upon bucket of mud, there is something about plastering that just lends itself to a good time. With an earth-plastered house, it is great for kids of all ages. We gathered clay locally and the sand came from the site. We tried to do most of the heavy work up front, while blind enthusiasm still ruled. I spent some time explaining mixtures from previous samples, how to add parts and what we were looking for in a plaster. At first, most of the group felt better applying it rather than making it, as the mixing involved “too much pressure.” Eventually, they all got involved and just asked when they had a question. There is a method behind the madness of plastering, but it is not rocket science. A little bit of leeway can be okay. So, getting kids involved is great for their feeling of accomplishment. Just keep an eye on consistent measurements and safety when using a mixer.
After a little direction, everyone moved very quickly on the slip and first coat. We were on our way with lots of laughter, applying the slip coat with bush limbs found in the yard and making a mess. By this time, some of the woman from the local group had come by to see the house. They left without their children, who wanted to stay and help. Everyone had a ball. With their impressive attention to detail on the final coat, we finished! The house is beautiful to us and to the family who now lives there.
I learned that there are some differences between working with an adult group of current or hopeful owner-builders, and working with a group of “never thought about it, maybe never will again” college students. Students may not ask as many enthusiastic questions as someone who is gathering information for their future home project. The unending conversations on natural building may not enter the night’s discussions. But, this can be refreshing at times, too. I’m sure it affects them in other ways. Most of the youth shared with me their positive feelings about helping a family have a comfortable, beautiful house, and said they felt privileged to have helped.
These young adults learned how to build a straw-bale home, or how to apply earth plaster. Even more importantly, they now understand why it would matter. They have come in contact with the issue of sustainability. They know there are options for a cleaner environment, and a more sustainable material with which to build their houses. They have the experience of helping a family in having a better life, and know how good they feel because of it. They worked hard and laughed hard. Opening young people up to this aspect of life affects them, and will undoubtedly make this a better place for everyone.
Currently working with UNDP/Mongolia on a straw-bale & energy efficiency training project, Melissa Malouf can usually be found playing with bales and plaster in Colorado or Mexico, and thinking of ways to implement traditional building methods. With a background in architecture and a foreground in vernacular, the picture is mostly filled in with mud. Reach her at <melmalouf@yahoo.com> www.BuildersWithoutBorders.org
BWB is an international network of ecological builders working together for a sustainable future.