All buildings at the Deanery Project incorporate a variety of low-impact building techniques from straw bale construction and earth plasters to cob and cob-wood to living roofs. Each project we undertake offers learners hands-on work experience with different building techniques and materials and creates additional demonstration models that serve to educate and inspire.
Upgrades to existing buildings and new construction allow us to demonstrate best practices in low-energy design and building.
Key natural building themes include:
- Sustainable, environmentally responsible building materials
- Low environmental impact design and construction, high energy efficiency
- Low carbon footprint in the transportation and disposal of building materials.
Our experienced resource team has a wide array of design/build/planning and management skills focused on affordable, beautiful, energy efficient construction. We can provide consulting support in a collaborative style on new-build or renovation projects.
The Deanery Project has become a leader in the Province in the demonstration of natural building materials and methods such as straw bale construction, cob, light straw clay, living roofs, hempcrete, rocket stoves and natural finishes like earth plasters and milk-based paints. These construction methods significantly reduce or even eliminate many toxic construction materials. Chosing locally sourced materials reduces transportation costs and associated CO2 production.
Appropriate Technology
Lowering energy use is one of the most effective investments for reducing costs to rural communities and for small businesses …. in addition to reducing our impact on the environment.
The Deanery Project strongly supports the transition to non-carbon-based energy sources, in keeping with provincial and federal commitments. Solar roof panels now generate a substantial portion of our electricity, thanks to a contribution from Bullfrog Power. Our solar wood-drying kiln produces high-quality lumber for local cabinetmakers and luthiers. And our rocket stove models “the art of the possible” in super-efficient heating, with minimized emissions, and the use of small-dimensioned wood.
The Deanery’s Natural Building Projects
NOTE: Links to images and descriptions of on-site projects are currently being updated. Please check back here in the coming weeks to get inspired!
Meanwhile please have a read of Chris Magwood’s white paper on how we can immediately and affordably capture and store vast amounts of carbon in buildings, transforming the construction sector from being a major emitter of emissions, to being a major carbon sink.
Related Posts
[display-posts category=”natural-building” include_excerpt=”true” image_size=”thumbnail” wrapper=”div” posts_per_page=”5″]
