The Lodge is the large shared amenity building for our glamping guests which was completed in May 2019. This eco construction began in October 2017, not the ideal time of year to start a building project on the north west coast of Ireland! We tried to make it as eco as possible so used locally sourced roundwood timber, strawbales and lime as the main construction materials. There is also a living grass roof made from the earth excavated from the site.
The building was designed by Marcus and Cork artist and builder Christy Collard. Renowned for his beautiful craftmanship Christy has been pushing the boundaries of round-pole construction and reciprocal designs for years, his creations are as much works of art as they are functional spaces.
A special thanks to Strawbuild.org who drew up the detailed design drawings, to Hassen Mzali who got us going with the strawbuilding and Bee Rowan for all the advice and support.
We have since been included in a European database of strawbale buildings at www.strawbuilding.eu
Construction Photo Gallery
The 'Reciprocal Room' floor is finished...and shiny!
Proud fireplace builders.
Work on the huge fireplace begins with the help and guidance of stonemasons Andy Peters and Pete Gibson.
Taking a break
Showers near completion
Floor goes down in kitchen
Sky-light being installed
3.5m diameter dodecagon sky-light installed
Cob-filled stud walls
Cob wall taking shape
Ta-daah! Our cob glass bottle art design in the cob wall is complete. Thank you Sophie for doing such a wonderful job!
Trying out some art with recycled wine bottles
Clay plastering the internal walls
Cob building internal walls begins
We now have a grass roof!
Protective wrap comes down
Lime-rendering complete. Coat after coat has been applied by hand, initially massaged into the straw and then layers added to create a uniform surface. The final coat is being applied now after 6 weeks of hard work and about 20 tonnes of lime and sand!
First walls
Windows in!
Strawbale Inspector
Earth being spread on roof for grass roof
The building is 'wrapped' to ensure the strawbales (for the walls) keep dry inside
Roof membrane complete. Next stage earthing it up for the grass roof.
Roof membrane almost complete
Front of building in snowy landscape!
The long beams and geometric shapes mesmerise
Forewoman watches on in blizzard
February 2018. Snow! Such a great time of the year to be building. ;-)
6th Feb - The reciprocal roof is complete!
Suddenly looking very big
4th Feb - The uprights for the outer ring go up
January 2018. Brrrr....
The inner ring is almost complete
Someone's taking it easy
Starting to take shape
Wood-henge!
Ever-growing piles of timber waiting to be stripped
First (of many) delivery of timber
11th Oct - Measuring out the site - with a very meticulous helper
