Cob: Re: Formal Proposal

[Gregori]

Pat,

May I suggest you include some "Environmental Art" in your proposal to give
the project some real life.  The Organic form is art in itself, but to
"invite" some Environmental Artists and Consultants to the design process as
"facilitators", such as a accomplished and talented sculptors and stained
glass artists or a Environmental Architects  would be interesting..

A "design/build" approach,  such as ("Yestermorrow" in Vermont)
http://www.yestermorrow.org/  would also make the project more successful.
The cottages could be designed and used as "Environmental Artists Working
Studios, as well as accomodations for Environmental Artists in Residence),
with a focus on sustainability.  These artists could facilitate workshops to
add more art installations to the park with a clear message toward
sustainability.  ("Solar Powered Fountain" as a metaphor)

Produce your "own power" as well, by including solar and wind generation.
In return for the gift of the land, provide enough power for the entire park
at the same time.

In todays world, essential to success, is to include Technology in your
proposal.   This could be accomplished by inviting a prominent school of
architecture to use the project as assignments,  requiring 3-D modeling  and
CNC Technolgy as a criteria.

And most important, invite the native artists to help.  Invite the tribal
council to endorse the project and invite the elders to help choose the
sites.

If this criterial is follow you may apply to the ArtNouveau Foundation, (now
being established) for sponsorship.     ANS supports "prime" examples of
Sustainable Development.

Gregori Robinson
ArtNouveau Foundation




--- Original Message -----
From: Pack McKibben <gakayaker at yahoo.com>
To: <coblist at deatech.com>
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2001 11:19 AM
Subject: Cob: Formal Proposal


> Pack McKibben
> Northeast Georgia
>
> Subject: Proposal
> I need help putting together a Formal Proposal for
> design and construction of six Natural Built shelters
> to be used by campers in a Campground setting.  One
> Cob, Cordwood, Strawbale, Wattle & Daub, Clay Slip,
> and Papercrete Shelter.  Each to be approximately 10'
> x 10' x 8' in size, with roof, one door, and three
> windows.  The proposal will also include labor and
> materials.
>
> My Background:
> I've become interested in alternative building within
> the last year and a half.  I've taken one workshop
> with Cob Cottage Company on basic cob construction.  I
> plan on taking a cordwood construction workshop in the
> spring.  I've been reading and doing research on the
> internet about sustainable living, passive solar
> design and other green/natural building techniques
> that include cob, cordwood, clay slip, wattle and
> daub, Papercrete, and earthship design.  I'd call
> myself a neophyte.  All book learning and not much
> hands on experience.  All this interest and research
> because I've had a vision of finding land and building
> a natural built home.  I'm still looking for the land.
>  If and when I do find land,   I figured I could build
> small shelters as a way to learn the craft, experiment
>
> with different techniques, and then, MAYBE:
> 1).  Be able to rent them out as a way to make a
> living, or
> 2).  Have a place for natural build workshops, and/or
> 3).  Be able to build a Campground/Natural
> Build/Education Center
>
> Here's my Problem:
> After looking and pricing land I realized I have the
> budget for a few acres but the project requires a lot
> more.  Zoning is also a problem, but I wont go there
> right now.  So I went to plan "B".  Which is finding
> someone to let me use their property to build my
> natural built shelters (thanks for the idea Ianto).
> To try to make a long story short, I came across a
> Director of a local State Park who told me about their
> pending expansion of their campground.  From six to
> over three hundred acres!  I told him about my idea of
> a community campground - sustainable living concept
> and he REALY liked the idea!  So much so that he wants
> me to give him a formal proposal.  It needs to include
> the type of shelter to be constructed, how long each
> would take to be constructed, and an estimated cost of
> materials.  I presume all this so he can figure a
> cost/payback ratio.  I'm WAY over my head in this
> situation.  I've NEVER done a proposal.  I feel I can
> handle the community campground portion of the
> proposal.  I need help with the shelter construction
> details (labor and materials).
>
> Solution:
> I need a BUNCH of help!  I do have passion and desire.
>  And I've learned over the years that as long as you
> have an open mind and a clear, focused goal, anything
> is possible!  So here's what I need (and I need it as
> soon as possible) from all those who can help:
> PROPOSALS: If anyone has done a proposal for a grant.
> This type proposal would probably fit my need.  I know
> some people have been building at schools as a project
> for students to learn Natural building (etc.).  If a
> proposal was required, I sure would like to see one.
>
> LABOR:  An idea of how long it takes to build a
> shelter of Cob, Cordwood, Strawbale, Papercrete, ETC.
> should be based on how long it takes two workers
> To build a 10'x 10' x 8' shelter, with roof, one door
> and three windows.
>
> MATERIALS:  Total materials list:  Timber, Lumber,
> infill, tonnage, volume, etc.  Everything it takes to
> build a Cob, Cordwood, etc. shelter/building based on
> the same labor benchmarked building requirements.
>
> TOTAL COST:  I hope each shelter can be built for lass
> than $ 500.00 for total labor and matericals.  What do
> you think?  Can this be done?  Is this realistic?
>
> SPECIFICATIONS: Drawings of shelters/buildings, Views:
> Front, Side, Top;
> measurements, details.  I realize this info may be few
> and far between.
>
> PICTURES: of any small shelters/buildings you've
> built.  Cob, Cordwood, Strawbale, Papercrete, Wattle &
> Daub, Clay Slip, ETC.
> Any I use as examples for my proposal will be credited
> to
> the sender and/or builder.
>
> FORGOT:  Things I've left out!  If I leave it out it's
> because I don't know it.  So tell me if there's more I
> need to include.
>
> GROUP:  Anyone who knows how to help me set up a
> discussion group for this specific proposal.  I don't
> want to over tax on-going post that are more subject
> oriented.  My plan is to post this ONE message on each
> Cob, Cordwood, Strawbale, and Papercrete (and
> any/others you think might be appropriate) Group/List
> and ask for anyone interested in helping, to use
> direct email to me, or to use the NEW proposal group
> for future post (if I figure out how to set one up).
>
>
> *******  I'll provide a URL to the group (in the near
> future) so any interested persons, contributing
> parties, and/or individuals who want to learn about
> Natural Building, can read the in-progress proposal
> *******
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> I hope everyones help will not go for naught.
>
>
>
> =====
> Pack McKibben
> gakayaker at yahoo.com
>
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