We decide to give ferrocement construction a try on a small scale by constructing a vaulted entryway. A section of wire fencing commonly called a "cattle panel" is bent over and used here as a framework with some 2x2s and covered with a layer of 6 mil plastic. Two layers of chicken wire are laid on top of this and covered with Portland cement, which is troweled into the mesh. This construction technique is very common in Latin America and southern Asia.
A side view of the entryway. After troweling in the cement, we allowed it to cure by covering it with a layer of wet towels and another layer of 6 mil plastic sheeting. After 48 hours, this 1.5 inch thick shell easily supports my averdupois, which is French for big butt. We are very impressed with the ease of ferrocement construction and decide to incorporate this technique into the rest of the house construction.
A closeup of the ferrocement work. Yes, we know this looks a bit rough, but we're sure you'll forgive us. Please keep in mind that (a) you are looking at our learning curve and (b) the entryway will receive a finish coat of stucco which will smooth things out considerably. This cost-effective, strong, waterproof and lightweight approach to construction is used for roofing and water cistern construction quite frequently in Mexico. We will be publishing more photos of this technique as we get better at it.
A barrel vaulted ceiling will arch over this section of the living room. Notice the two screen blocks? There will be two more on the opposite side of the vault. These elevated windows and the barrel vault form what is called a thermal chimney, a standard method of cooling houses from the era before electricity. Basically, the barrel vault gives heat a place to rise. The elevated windows give the heat somewhere to go, drawing in more heated air from inside the house and setting up a convection current, which draws in the cooler air from the courtyard behind it through the house.
These blocks with the crosses are a very cool way to acknowledge the Spanish missions our house design is drawn from. These "screen blocks," as they are called, will be fitted with mesh screening and a weighted, sliding door to close them off during cool weather. We very much want to reduce our dependence on an HVAC system by adopting older and simpler technology.
Want to see a rough floor plan? Want to be notified when we post new pictures? Just e-mail us! Want to see the rest of the story? Click on Gimme Shelter Home Page.
Next week's installment: The Kinda, Sorta Great Wall Click HERE

All music and data on this site ©2001 and 2003 TexasMusicForge.com. Any unauthorized usage of music and/or data from this site is strictly prohibited and will get you tied up and dragged behind my horse.
E.M. Kliman, Proprietor.