MATERIALS: Sun dried mud bricks made
from the local red earth
FEATURES:
Hole pattern in the walls = daylight + natural ventilation
Bright and colorful handmade shutters
Large covered porch
creates an = outdoor community room
"The purpose of the vocational training centre is to encourage and teach poor
families to earn their own living. The Sra Pou community is one of the
unprivileged communities in Cambodia, who have been evicted from their homes in
the city to the surrounding countryside. They lack basic infrastructure, decent
built environment and secure income. The new vocational school provides
professional training and helps the people to start sustainable businesses
together. It is also a place for public gathering and democratic
decision-making for the whole community."
Social &
Environment Sustainable, Healthy & Beauty
"Currently it is estimated that one half
of the world's population, approximately three billion people on six
continentsi, lives or works in buildings constructed of earth"
"Scott Howard's most notable achievements have been; a 17 foot earthen
dome completed in Mali; a 23 foot earthen dome built in Thailand;
an ornate earthen cottage built for a local Portland school, exhibiting
an ecoroof and eight stained glass windows by Scott; a set of artistic
earthen
columns on a porch in Portland, Oregon. Four other Portland schools also
have substantial earthen works created by Scott, who teaches his
methods to
volunteers on most of his projects. Other works include his privately
commissioned earthen benches, ovens, ceramic sculptures, stained glass
windows,
and artistic furniture."
“Our
students are of all ages,
and everyone learns a lot. Kids love playing with mud. Adults see the
socio-political empowerment and utility of our techniques. Our
international
workshops assist indigenous communities by creating a useful structure.
Participants of these workshops get a wonderful visit to a new country
that
allows them to interact with and give something significant to local
peoples”
“We
encourage
experimentation because it brings even more effective designs. It is our
goal
to create solid, artful structures that will inspire people to want to
learn
about them”
“I
seek to
create sacred spaces that inspire reverence for nature. The curvilinear
and
soft feeling of earthen materials encourages health and well-being.
Nature
itself shows us all the patterns that we might ever need to make
harmonious
dwellings in any climate. Natural Building is the realignment of our
spaces and
consciousness with mother nature. Our ancestors refined constructed
human
landscapes that never depart from the surrounding earth. Could the
ancient
builder have been more advanced than the contemporary?”
WHYEARTH:
"The choices we make today affect who we will
be tomorrow."
Efficiency
Flexibility
Density (Thermal inertia + sound waves isolation + protection from: fire + wind + water + electromagnetic
and microwaves)
“Through our projects we will continually work to
advance the technology of ecologically viable house design with innovation and
testing on the buildings we construct. We offer the results of our research
freely to all interested parties. Sharing information is the way we all win”.
PORTFOLIO:
Ahimsa Sanctuary Garden Kiva Meeting
House Philomath, OR(2001)
Scott Howard
Features:
1200 sf meeting house
Tractor
cob
This project was the site of a Cob Cottage workshop
Scott's first Cob house
Sound Temple Dome Koh Phangan, Thailand(2004)
Scott Howard
(senior designer and builder)
Time: 8-week workshop
People:20 participants
Features:
-This catenary
dome: 23 ft x 23ft (one of the largest of its kind in the world)
-A
crew of local Thai builders finished the dome with cement plasterand tile.
-The
interior offers a rare acoustical experience because of its ability to focus
echoes in the center of the space.
