HEMP CLAY AND TIMBER PROTOTYPES

Work produced with Alexandra Carr and Alejandro Veliz Reyes, University of Plymouth

Working with Bridport Area Community Housing and Raise the Roof, a series of prototypes and a 1:1 temporary housing section were made in partnership with University of Plymouth researchers using locally sourced natural materials.

The pre-fabricated framing and wall panels were designed to be swiftly constructed as a strategy for affordability.  The heavy timber frame was constructed out of Douglas fir in a post and twin beam system, assembled flat and tilted up by few people.

Digitally fabricated Ash planks formed modular casettes to allow for easier self-build within the wall buildup. Using the CNC to work with natural timber rather than processed sheet goods was an effort to apply Ash within construction as well as reducing our reliance on imported ply.

Various mixtures of hemp and clay from on site were casted into the cassettes to create a daub-like insulation buildup. Variables we tested here included drying time, shrinkage, the timbers response to moisture and feasability for self-build.

This project is ongoing with further hemp and clay research. The timber frame is expected to form the first section of Raise the Roof’s natural building skills centre in the next few years.

GALLERY