BIG LABOUR JOB

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 73, Issue 6282, 16 September 1946, Page 5

BIG LABOUR JOB

EARTH HOUSE MADE BY OWNER AT WEEKENDS The subject of earth houses, which has come into some prominence of late, has created such interest that the owner of one in the Wellington district has asked that his name and address be withheld to protect his wife against the intrusion of too many .curious visitors. “I built this earth house at weekends and on holidays during the depression,” said the owner. “My wiffc had the section, and we had only a small income for some years to keep the family going; so, helped by my boys, I started the house in a practical way, and with an architect’s advice. “There won’t be too many earth houses; the work is too heavy. It took me nearly ten years to finish mine, and I recommend penal servitude in preference to the labour entailed. “There are three kinds of such houses; one Cob, of wetted clay and straw; two, pise de terre, of rammed earth or earth and stone; and three, chalk, wetted chalk and straw. This is of* pise, made of earth rammed into a box 15ins. by 9ins. by 12ins., laid together with mud ‘slurry’ and reinforced with wire-netting between the layers. It has a reinforced stone foundation, and proper architectural precautions have been taken with the walls. The building has withstood two severe earthquakes. With its stucco on the outside, few can distinguish it from concrete. It has become very dear to us on account of the labour it entailed, and people admire it to an extent that becomes an embarrassment.”