the owner builder 1981-1989 1-36

. ~- . . MAGAZINE -X

CONTENTS

Introduction ................................................. 2

Notice Board ................................................ 3

Access ...................................................... 4

Owner-Builder Interview ................... Steve Elias and Jelly 5

Dream Home ......................... Peter and Henny Greiner 10

....................................... Packing Case Mansion 15

Owner Builders and the Law ....................... John Archer 16

A Beachcomber Builds .......................... E . J . Banfield 20

Open Houses in Margaret River .................. Richard Routh 22

The Underground Movement .................... ..John Archer 24

Constructive Demolition ...................................... 25

............................ Kids Can Do it Too Brian Tuckfield 28

Eden Log Cabin ............................................. 30

.............................. Home Sweet Home Peter Mercer 32

Bailey's Cottage .................................. lan Hickman 35

Windcatchers ................................................ 36

. . ......................... Trees and Foundations D A Cameron 38

Environmental Building ............................ Alien Morris 41

.......................... Pise Houses in Adelaide .John Archer 46

Aboriginal Architecture .......................... N . W . Thomas 49 Octagonal Economy ........................... Orson S . Fowler 52

......................... Coober Pedy Dugouts Michael Davison 56

............................................... Book Reviews 60

THE OWNER-BUILDER MAGAZINE Stanley Ave . Mallacoota. 3889 THANK YOU

Our thanksaredue to all our contributors for makine this issue Editor: John Archer what i t is . Design and Layout: Gerry Archer Business Manager: Simon Archer

Thanks to Marjorle McNecce of Building Materials and Equipment for permission to reprint Michael

Typing: Lorna McDougal Davison'i article and to Horace Mekdam of The Council of ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ t t i ~ ~ : ~ . p ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i ~ ~ . G ~ & J ~ ~ st. ~ ~ l ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . Fore" Industries of Brlllsh Columbia. and Tilt C.S.I.R.O. Dhl- 3170 . Phone 561 2111 . sion of Building Research for permission to reprint "Trees and

Printers: Waverley Offset Publishing Group. Geddes St. F O ~ ~ a $ ~ ~ ~ ~ l h a n k s to and ~ 1 1 1 ~ ~ Mulerave . 3 170 . ~ i s t i bu ted to newsagents by Cordon and Gotch

I 1981 by The Owner-Builder Magazine .

THE OWNER-BUILDER will be available quarterly . Annual subscription $10 post paid from The Owner-Builder Magazine. Stanley Ave. Mallacoota Vic . 3889 .

CONTENTS

Notice Board & Access ....................................... 2 Editorial ...................................................... 3 Interview ................................ Steve Elias and Jelly 4 E.B.S. no . 5 ................................................... 8 Electrical Power from the Wind ..................... C.S.I.R.O. 9 Small is Beautiful ............................................. 12 Sensible Bushfire Precautions ............................... 15 Owner Builders and the Law ..................... John Archer 17 ~ e a k castle .................................. Arthur Hatfield 19

........................................ Plumbing with Plastic 22 Mud Mechanics ............................... Richard Routh 23 Early Bark Building ........................................... 24 Applebfs Octagon ................................... Appleby 26 Thoreau ...................................................... 28 Bushfire! ........................................ Neil Douglas 30 Pole Frame Building ............................. John Archer 32 Moving House ................................................ 38 Politics of Housing ............................... John Archer 40 Timber Structures . Detailing for Durability ................... 43 Kit Homes .................................................... 46 Kids Competition ............................................. 50 Split your own Shakes ........................... John Archer 54 Book Reviews ................................................ 60

THE OWNER BUILDER MAGAZINE Box 839 G.P.O. Adelaide. 5001 Editor: John Archer Design and Layout: Gerry Archer Business Manaeer: Simon Archer Typesetting: B.B. Typesetting. 10 Binns Street . Montmorency. 3094 . Phone: 434 3078 Primers: Waverley Offset Publishine Grow . . . Geddes St .. ~ul&ave . 3170 . Registered by ~Gtral ia Post . Publication No . V8P4715 . Category B . Distributed to Newsagents by Gordon and Gotch.

1981 by The Owner Builder Magazine .

COVER PHOTO: JELLY

MAGAZINE

MudbrickNews Why Build a House? Chinese Doors

ISSUE NUMBER THREE FEBRUARY 1982

Our Stone House ................................... Steve Elias 5

Roofing with Shakes John Archer.. ................................ 8 Chinese Doors

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Edwards.. 10 Flooring with limber Kounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Building Better for Less. Tim Campbell.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l 5 Weather Krooting Earth ........................ 17 Bridging the Financial Cap.. . ................. 18 Owner Builders and the Law.. ................... 21 Design Considerations.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 French Farm House Design /.S. Cawler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 A Place of Harmony.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Domes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Mudbrick News.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Thoughts on the Regulations Bob Colefax.. ................................ 43 - -

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Making Mudbricks 46 Thatch Roofing in Australia.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Whv Build a House

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ h r i s Henderson s 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Surface Bonding.. 57

Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Book Reviews

Well, here is issue number three -

You will notice that issue two carried an Adelaide addressand this issuea Melbourneone. Be reassured -all mail reaches uswhetheraddressed toAdelaide, Melbourne or Mallacoota. Last year, we aeciaea to settle in Adelaide but so much was haopening in 1 Melbourne that we have decided to make our home here - hence the change. John is at present in Tasmaniaforthree months working on acommunity building project and will return in April.

Many thanks for all your letters. We value your input. Photos and articles about your building project. its oroblems and successes would be of interest to 1 us all.

GERRY ARCHER

THE OWNER BUILDER MAGAZINE PO Box 4036 Melbourne 3001 Editor: John Archer Design and Layout: Gerry Archer Business Manager: Simon Archer Typesetting: B.B. Typesetting, 10 Binns Street, Montmorency, 3094. Phone: 434 3078 Printers: Waverlev Offset Publishine Grouo. . . Geddes St., MulGave, 3170. Registered by Australia Post. Publication No. V8P4'; Category B. Distributed to Newsagents by Gordon and Gotch.

1981 by The Owner Builder Magazine.

The Owner Builder is printed quarterly.Annual subscription$lO post paid. From theowner Builder Magazine P.O. Box 4036 Melbourne Victoria 3001.

3

1 THE THE OWNER BUILDER MAGAZINE

ISSUE NUMBER FOUR. JUNE 1982

FITZROY TOWER David Mayes 3

1 THE $6650 HOUSE 9

CORRUGATED IRON John Archer Cover Sa Swing's tower

See Ihe story cm page 42 1 SAW SHARPENING 15

Mud Machines 12 Volt Power

A SMALL STONE CABIN Edna Walling 16

Edited and Published JOHN and GERRY ARCHER

Design and Layout GERRY ARCHER

MUD MACHINES 1 John Archer

Windows 1 COB Philip Hadley 23

Typesetting 0.0. Typesetting. 10 Binns St.

Montmorency, 3094 Ph 434 3078 12 VOLT POWER 1 peter Lovett Printers

Waverley Offset Publishing Group Geddes St. Mulgrave 3170

1 A SUMATRAN HOUSE 31

Registered by Australia Post. Publication No.V8P4715 Category B 1 RUSSIAN OWNER BUILDERS 33

SURFACE BONDING Part Two 37

Distributed to Newsagents by Gordon and Gotch

01982 by

THE OWNER BUILDER MAGAZINE AN ECOLOGICALLY SOUND ARCHITECTURE IS POSSIBLE Malcolm B. Wells

A STONE TOWER Sa Gunn Swing 42

E-.. WINDOWS 1 John Archer

1 BOOK REVIEWS 60

The Owner Builder is printed quarteriy.Annual subscription $1 0 post paid. From the Owner Builder Magazine P.O. Box 4036 Melbourne Victoria 3001.

1 THE

Interviews with Owner Builders W M f i f s m l a tXJtiffiKwr~mww.-

A A

The Technology of Keeping Cool

*Hdngfort in tropics

Clean

A ISSUE NUMBER FIVE SEPTEMBER 1982

Edited and Published JOHN AND GERRY ARCHER


Typesetting B.B. Typesetting. 10 Btnns St.

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Printers Waverley Offset Publishing Group

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Registered by Australia Post Publication No. VBP4715

Category B.


Q 1982 by

THE OWNER BUILDER MAGAZINE

Front cover. A mudbrick house in Gippsland Vic.

Inside front. Making rnudbrlcks Photo. Ross Kino

Inside back Clay hands. PhotoKay Martin

CONTENTS

A FAMILY EFFORT

THE TECHNOLOGY OF KEEPING COOL John Archer

AROUND THE WRECKERS

DON'T BE SCARED TO ASK ... Bob Couper

SOLAR POWER - ACTIVE SYSTEMS

OWNER BUILDER INTERVIEW

ENERGY CONSERVATION WITH TREES

THE COMMUNITY AS AN OWNER BUILDER Fred Beach

CHAINSAW SAFETY

CLIVUS MULTRUM Abby A. Rockefeller.

NOT A RAFTER IN SIGHT Rarnesh Manandhar

BOTTLE WALLS John Archer

MY STONE HOUSE Jonathan Levitt

'NORTHIS

LETTERS

BOOK REVIEWS

THE Dec. No.6 $2.50

MUDBRICK PISE - STONE ,

CONTENTS

ISSUE NUMBER SIX 1982



Typesetting B.B. Typesetting. 10 Binns St.


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a 1982 by


P.O. Box 4036 Melbourne Vie. 3001 Ph (03) 419 3429

...... .... Chris and Liz Stolz

of the Bendigo Homebuilders Club - See page six Pholograh courtesy of Golden Cily Gazette

Back Cover Michael Pardon

and his son, Robert - See page thirty two

........................... PISE HOUSE IN DARWIN 3

................. BENDIGO HOME BUILDER'S CLUB 6

.................. S.A. HOUSING CO-OP IN THE 40's. 12

................................ DIGGING THE DIRT 15 John Archer

............................... THE BRIDGE HOUSE 19

YURTS ............................................. .21

.......................... HOUSE CONSTRUCTION .23 Jeny 0. Newman

............................... ROOF GARDENING .28 John Archer

...................................... WOOD HEAT .35 Dr. John Todd

.................................... FERRET FARM 4 0

PASSIVE SOLAR SYSTEMS ........................ . 4 4

...................... MANDURANG ART CENTRE . 5 0

........... WHY OWNER BUILDERS SAVE MONEY . 54 John Archer

.......................................... LETTERS .58

................................... BOOK REVIEWS .60

THE Mar. No.7 $2.75

BUILDER

GREENHOUSES-WOODHEAT I

THE OWNER BUILDER

MAGAZINE

ISSUE NUMBER SEVEN


Design and Layout GERRYARCHER


Montmorency. 3094. Ph. 434 3078


Geddes St. Mulgranve 3170


Category B.




Front Cover: Les Fisher in his studio

Inside Front Cover: Interior of a mudbrick house

in the Yemen

Back Cover: Making mudbricks in

Maroochydore, Queensland

Thatched roofed homestead in Central Australia. Photo: Stale Library of S.A.

CONTENTS

OWNER BUILDER INTERVIEW.. .................... 3

BUILDING IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS ............. 8

DIGGING THE DIRT ................................ 15 John Archer

MULTIPLE OCCUPANCY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

'OME BEAUTIFUL.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

BUILDING A GREENHOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 William Bailey

THE EASTERN INFLUENCE ....................... .32

WOOD HEAT.. ..................................... .37 John Todd

PASSIVE COOLING SYSTEMS.. .................... .42

PUBLIC HOUSING IN DARWIN .................... .47

BUILDING A GHANIAN HUT ...................... .54

LETTERS.. ......................................... .59

BOOK REVIEWS.. .................................. .60

June. No.8

Oast Houses Beautiful and unique stone buildings

A Mudbrick Winery at Vwng la N.& W.

Wood Heat

THE OWNER BUILDER

MAGAZINE

ISSUE NUMBER EIGHT


Design and Layout GERRYARCHER






Category B

Distributed to Newagenu by Cordon and Gotch



Front Cover: The Moran house

in the Blue Mountains See "History in

Stone" on page three

Inside Front Cover: Windows m the

Great Hall, Monfsalvat

Back Cover: The Moran family

stand in the hand carved doorway of their almost

finished sandstone masterpiece

Farmhouse in East Anglia Photo: Collection Author

CONTENTS

HISTORY IN STONE.. ............................... . 3

....................... WOODHEAT - PART THREE . 7 Dr John Todd

BUILDING WITH TRUSSES.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

POLE AND WIRE JOINERY. ......................... 14 Len Bracket!

BODHI FARM ....................................... 17

DAYS OF WINE AND MUDBRICK.. ................ .21 John Archer

SELF BUILD PROJECT ............................. . 2 4 W . Paul Goldstone

TOOLS FOR BUSH BUILDERS.. .................... .25

EARTH INTEGRATED HOMES.. ................... . 3 0 David Baggs

MUDBRICK OVEN.. ................................ . 4 0 John Archer

SETTING OUT FOOTINGS ......................... .41

................................... BOOK REVIEWS. .6 1

1

THE Oct. No.9 $2.75

OWNER BUILDER

FRAMING YOUR ROOF 1

THE OWNER BUILDER

MAGAZINE

ISSUE NUMBER NINE



Typesetting B.B. Typesetting, 10 Binns St


P,,nters Waverley Offset Publishing Group


Registered by Australia Post Publication No VBP4715

Category B


1983 by



Front Cover: David Holmgreen See 'Designing for

Energy Efficiency on page fourteen.

Inside Front Cover: A handmade leadlight window

in a sione house.

Back Cover: The simplest home of all Photo: Lasrobe Library

The Mmchm house Photo, John Koch.

CONTENTS

POLE FRAME BUILDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 John Koch

BUILDING BY THE BOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

DESIGNING FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY . . . . . . . . . . . 14

A MUDBRTCK STUDIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Russell Andrews

. . . . . . . . . ADVICE FROM A BUILDING SURVEYOR .30 Paul Evans

WHITE GUMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

INVERTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Tony Stevenson

MUDBRICK SEATING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

MUDBRICK B.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 John Archer

TIMBER WALLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ROOF FRAMING .50 John Archer PISE RAMMERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BOOK REVIEWS 60

1 THE Jan. No.10 $2.75

OWNER BUILDER

1 WINDOWS-OLD & NEW I

THE OWNER BUILDER

MAGAZINE

ISSUE N U M B E R T E N

Edited and Published JOHN A N D GERRY ARCHER

Design and Layout G E R R Y A R C H E R

Typesetting B.B. Typesetting, 10 Binns St.


Primers Wavertey Offset Publishing Group



Category B.

Distributed to Newagents by Cordon a r j '"lotch

0 1983 by

THE O W N E R BUILDER M A G A Z I N E


Front Cover The Davis house amongst the trees

Back Cover Building at Moora Moora Co-op

Nailing on roof battens Inside Cover

An early prefabricatedgalvanised iron house

Inside Back Cover The Judge's stand at a country

racecourse circa 1880.

From "Down to Earth" By Jean Delhier

CONTENTS

Building on a Steep Site ................................ . 3 Stonecutting in Central Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 By John Archer Cutting Corners with a Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Roof Framing Part 2 ................................... 14 Cave Homes ......................................... . 2 2 Ron Edwards Windows - The Old and the New.. .................... . 25 John Archer Earth Above ......................................... .32 Bushfire Resistant Homes ............................. .39 Da vid Baggs Low Energy Housing Advisory Service .................. . 44 Simon Thomton Septic SystemsIWaste Disposal ........................ . 48 The Two Storey Story.. ............................... . 54 A Mudbrick Workshop ................................ .56 Gerry Archer Book Reviews ........................................ .61

A N OWNER'BUJLTMUD BRICK HOME IN VICTOBIA JAPAfitBSE CRAFTSMMNSHIP KEN KEfW OH SITE EVALUATTON PIONEERING IN THE URBAN WILDERNESS - CONSTRUCTIVE CtTY ALTEftNATIVES A LABOUR OF LOVE - JUUE BAIGEIfT BUILDS A STONE HOUSE STABILISING SOILS FOR BRICKtSAKlNG THE ROOTS OF ARCHITECTURE - lNNWA710N W QUEENSLAND BOOK REVIEWS 4 AM3 MORE

w w - u - m m m

ISSUE NUMBER FIFTEEIS APRIL 1985

Editors and Publishers John, Gerry and Justin Archci

Typesetting B.B. Typesetting. 10 Binns St

Montmorency 3094 Ph. 434 3078

Printers Waverlev Offset Publishing Group

Geddes St. Mulerave 3170


Category B.

Distributed to Nevv<agent<i hy Gordon and Gotch

0 1985 by



The Lee Houie - The dining room with us exposed limber cedi#tg.

Inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IN HOUSE . 2

CHANGE IN PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Peter Lees

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . THE ROOTS O F ARCHITECTURE 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SITE EVALUATION 16

Ken Kern JAPANESE CRAFTSMANSHIP.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 SCREWS & BOLTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOUNDATIONS . 2 9 Alien Staines

. . . . . . PIONEERING IN THE URBAN WILDERNESS .32 Ail Interview with Colin James JOINING TIMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 8 A LABOUR O F LOVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2 SOIL STABILISERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 A POLE PYRAMID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 COLOURING CONCRFTF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1 TILING WALLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 BOOK REVIEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Front cover Pern Lees M a d b r ~ k House

Back Cover l 5Liligh1 illtiminates the loft bedroom in I/?? R w e House

Inside Front l c n"l beam combines wilh the round

pule tafias isnd hardwood shingles 10 create an clrgoiit roof space.

Inside Back Tin.' tools of a Ire? provide

vippon for die roof structure of th is limber hornc.

AUGUST-NOVEMBER No. 16 $3b25

THE

magazine

THE ISSUE NUMBER SIXTEEN

AUGUST 1985

Editors and Publishers

lohn. Gerry and lustin Archer

The Peverill house in Alice Springs

Typesetting B.P. TypeiettingPty Lcd

7.17 Geddes St Mulgrave 3170 Ph. (03) 561 2111.

Inside Printers

Waverley Offset Publishing Group Geddes St. Mulgrave 3170

IN HOUSE ................................................................... 2

................. PIONEERING IN T H E URBAN WILDERNESS 3 With George and Charts Schwartz

DESERT STY LE ........................................................... 8 The Peverill house in Alice Springs


Category B.

Distributed to Newsagenti by Gordon and Gotch

THE DEPROGRAMMING O F AN ACADEMIC ................. 12 A n interview with Bil l Bo t lo~n ly

BUYING LAND ........................................................... 16 John Archer

VERTICAL LOGS ........................................................ 20 By American author Ken Kern

0 1984 by



BUYING TIMBER ........................................................ 24 Allan Staincs

OWNER DESIGN ......................................................... 26 Penny Bannon

Front Cover A traditionul New Mexico swle

fireplace in the Pevenll's house. Back Cover

Penny's article on dessgn is on pave 26.

Inside From The fireplace in the living room of

the Thane Iion'ii: Inside Hurl.

An un~is~iul iniidbrick fircpluce in a large inudhrtcA hoifie on u

N.S. W. cotiiniiini~,~.

BANDICOOT GULLY ................................................... 29 Phillip Hadley

BUILDING A STONE FIREPLACE ................................. 34 Greg Williams

OWNER BUILDER INTERVIEW .................................... 37 With Malcolm Thane

THE RISE AND FALL O F T H E BLACK STUMP ................ 43 Peter Newel

DESIGNING YOUR OWN FIREPLACE ........................... 47 John Archer

1

THE NOVEMBER-FEBRUARY NO. 17 $3.25

Â AN 1NTEHVIEW WITH WALLY GREENHAM - ALTERNATIVE ARCMTECT HOT ONLY DIRT CHEAP - THE THERMAL PROPERTIES OF MUOemCK m CHtMNEVS AND FLUES THE GREEN HOUSE - IS WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOVÃ GARDEN - NATURAL PAINTS AND VARNISHES POET GARY SWDER - AMERICAN OWNER BUILDER Â HOME HEATING

EQUIPMENTwBOOKSEVtCWS

THE

UILDER magazine

NOVEMBER, 1985

Editors and Publishers John, Gerry and Justin Archer

Typesetting: B.P. Typesetting Ply. Ltd.,

7-17 Geddes St. Mulgrave 3170 Ph: (03) 561 2111

Printers: Waverley Offset Publishing Group

Geddes St. Mulgrave, 3170


Category B.



P.O. Box 4036 Melbourne Vic. 3001. Ph. (03) 419 3429

Front Cover Wally Greenham 'S low cost

A frame house in she bush at Denmark, W.A.

Back Cover Bizarre chimney pots on a Spanish house designed by Antonio Gaudi.

Photo: Robert Brent Inside Front

The spacious well lit kitchen in the Greenham house.

Inside Back A Victorian labour saving device.

l , 4 ; 1 -

Â¥

7

v- The Greenhain House (See page 3).

Inside IN HOUSE ................................................................... 2 ALTERNATIVE ARCHITECT ........................................ 3 An interview with Wally Greenhorn TEACHING AND LEARNING ........................................ 8 Jan Morris talks about both NOT JUST DIRT C H E A P ............................................... 10 The thermal properties of tnudbrick PERMANENT CAMPSITE ............................................. 18 By American Poet Gory Snyder OWNER BUILDER INTERVIEW .................................... 24 With Peter Moorfoot CHIMNEYS AND FLUES .............................................. 31

....................................... BANDICOOT GULLY, PART 2 Phillip Hadley

.................................................... T H E GREEN HOUSE 39

NATURAL PAINTS A N D VARNISHES ........................... 47

HOME HEATING EQUIPMENT ..................................... 52

BOOK REVIEWS .......................................................... 61 John Archer

THE FEBRUARY-APRIL No. IS (3.25

The Australian borne builders magazine

BUILDING A BLUESTONE HOUSEBY PAUL WILLIAMS **A *' FRAME EFFICIENCY

BATHROOMS - AN OWNERBUIIDER'SGUIDE HOUSES OF THE WOLLERY - A WESTERN

AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY DESIGNING YOUR HOME FOR BUSHFJRE SAFETY

THE

UILDER magazine

Issue Number Eighteen

Editors and Publishers John, Gerry and Justin Archci


7-17 Geddcs St. Mulgrave 3170 Ph: (03) 561 2111

Printers: Waverlcy Offset Publishing Group

Geddcs St. Mulgravc, 3170


Category B.

Distributed 10 Newsagents b> Gordon and Gotch

TI1K OWNER BI'l1.I)W MAGAZINE

P.O. Box 4036 Melbourne Vie. 1001. Ph. (03) 419 3429

Front Cover Paul Williams standing outside

his Warrandyte home.

Back Cover Fireplace at the Piemy home. Denmark, WA.

Inside Front A high balcony at the rear

o f the Loot house.

Inside Back An innovative basin stand.

Don Hall ouiside his Japanese-style teahouse.

Inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IN HOUSE .2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OWNER BUILDER INTERVIEW . 3 An A Frame THE TEA HOUSE O F THE WATER MUSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 A Japanese garden and teahouse in Sydney

................................. OWNER BUILDING.. .12 Programmes for success Alien Staines

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BATHROOMS . l 8 John Archer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BEAUTIFUL BLUESTONE. .32 Pa U/ Williams

.......................... HOUSES O F THE WOLLERY .36 A collection of interviews

................................... BUSHFIRE SAFETY .41 ............... ARCHITECTS. DESIGNERS. BUILDERS .48

BIOLOGICAL TOILETS ............................... .52 ......................... BANDICOOT GULLY. PART 3 .57

Phillip Hadley ......................................... BOOK REVIEWS

John Archer

THE MAY -AUGUST No. 19 $3.25

THE

Editors and Publishers John, Gerr) and Justin Archer


7-17 Geddes St. Mulgrave 3170 Ph: (03) 561 2111

Printers: Waverley Offset Publishing Group

Geddes St. Mulgrave, 3170


Category B.

Distributed to Newsagents by Gordon and Goich

THE OWNFR BIJlI.DKR MACAZISF

P.O. Box 4036 Melbourne Vie. 3(101. Ph. (03) 419 3429

Front Cover A house built almost

entirety from wine barrels and recycled timber in Western Australia

Back Cover Mudbrick making

using a multiple mould Inside Front

Fifteenth century style timber framing

Inside Back Childrens playhouse in the garden

of an owner built home in Lilydale, Vie

A Knox house at home in the bush.

Inside ................................................................. DESIGNING 3

........................................... ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY 8 Rebuilding in a bushfire area

...................................................... TIMBER FRAMING 15 Fifteenth century style

BUSH RETREAT. ......................................................... 20

THE WINE BARREL HOUSE ......................................... 26 An innovative house built mainly of wine barrels and recycled timber

..................... MUDBRICK AND TIMBER HOUSE PLANS 30 By Peter Lees

......................................................... ALISTAIR KNOX 36 An interview by John Archer

......................................... POUR YOURSELF A HOUSE 40 Another earthbuilding method By W.M. Freeburn

............................................... BEDS AND BEDROOMS 43 Through the ages

...................................................... BUILD YOUR OWN 48 Still the cheapest alternative By Beatrice Gal10

........................................... SAFETY IN THE KITCHEN 51

THE AUGUST-NOVEMBER 1996 No. 20

$3.25

*MALLACOOTAMUDBSSCK# PLANSFORACOREHOUSE Ã COURTYARDS - HOW TO INCORPCWATE A CfWHTYARDINTO YOURHOUSEDESIGNeBUVDWGWSTAGES-KEEPMYOUR OFTKMSOPENeAWATERGARDEN-CREATEVOWOWN BEAUnFVL AND UNIQUE WATER GARDEN FtOOHW AS WAUJfMS - A CHEAPER ALTESHATSVE A HOUSE BEING BUILT USING TRUSSES AND MUDBRKX # A SMALL COTTAGE

THE

WNER 9 3 UILDER magazine

Editors and Publishers John, Gem and Justin Archer

Typesetting: B.P. Typesetting Pty. Ltd.

7 Hampshire Rd, Glen Waverley 3170

Ph: (03) 561 2111

Printers: Leader Westernport


Category B.

Distributed to Newsagents by Gordun and Goteh

TIIK OWNER BUll,DKR M A C A / I W

P.O. Box 4036 Mclbournc Vie. W. Ph. 103) 419 3429

Front Cover Leo and Kirn op den Brouw's

house at Maltacoota Back Cover

Gus Waddel on the balcony of his mudbrick house

inside Front Unusual Art Nouveau door frame recycled in this mudbrick home

Inside Back The trulli houses of Italy

page 37 - Creuie your own water garden

Inside ................................ MUDBRICK IN MALLACOOTA 5

A small coastal town with over seventy buildings made of earth

...................................................... COURTYARDS 15 How to incorporate a courtyard into your house design

OWNER-BUILT - BUT IN THE RED? ...................... 21 Alien Staines deals with some common causes why owner builders may come out on the wrong side of the ledger

TRUSSED MUDBRICK ............................................ 24 A house being built with earth and trusses

STAGED BUILDING ............................................... 29 Keeping your options open By Russel Andrews

............................................... A WATER GARDEN 37 Create your own beautiful and unique water garden By John Archer

SMALL BEGINNINGS ............................................ 42 A small cottage in Bendigo

FLOORING AS WALLING ....................................... 46 By Greg Baker

3

THE NOVEMBER 1986 - FEBRUARY 1987 No. 21 $3.25 "".

X^NE n

Â I ^

UILX3R The Australian home builders magazine %-

m WSE BUILDWG MUDBRICK HOUSE PLANS THE PESTICIDE DEBATE - TOSPRAY ORNOT TO SPRAY EARLY LOG BUILDING IN AUSTRAUA

m HOW TO BUILD A SAUNA FAST FURNITURE FOR NEXT TO NOTHING THE POSTMODERN DILEMMA - A LOOK AT THE NEW

ARCHnECTWE AN EARTH FLOCW THOUGHTS ONPLANNING BY BRUCE WILLIAMSON

THE

UILDER INSIDE

B.P. ~ y s s e t t i n g Ply. Ltd. 7 Hampshire Rd,

Glen Waverlev 3170


Ph: (03) 5612111

......................................... FROM THE GROUND UP 6

an Bega earth mudbrick floor with

Printers York Press Ply Ltd

1-19 Hoddle St Abbotsford 3M7

419 4855

Registered by Australia Post Publication No. VBP47 15

Category B.

Distributed to Newsagents by Cordon and Gotch


PO Box 4036 Melbourne Vie 3001. Ph. (03) 419 3429

Front Cover: Mixing soil for rammed earth

construction.

Back Cover: A rammed earth church in W.A.

Inside Front: Highly polished timber floor in

this owner-built house.

Inside Back: Bathroom in a dome.

COMPLICATIONS OR K.I.S.S. ................................. 8 By Paul Evans QUEENSLAND MUDBRICK .................................... S By Ossie St Clair LETTERS ................................................................ 10

THE POST MODERN DILEMMA ........................... 12 A look at the New Architecture By Justin Archer BUILD YOUR OWN SAUNA ................................... 17 By John Archer THE PESTICIDE DEBATE ..................................... 20 By Dr John French TWO STOREY DOME IN NSW ................................ 22 By John Archer NEEDS MUST 'Bumped Out Bricks ............................................... 24 By Ron Edwards SELF HELP HOUSING ........................................... 28 By Dennis Ingemann MUDBRICK PLANS ................................................ 29 By Salvador Hunziker

............................. THE LOG HUT IN AUSTRALIA 34 By Clarence Earle WORLD PLANNING CONGRESS 1986 .................. 40 By Dennis Ingemann

...................................... BEST OF BOTH WORLDS 42 Planning Thoughts By Bruce WiUiamson PISE ........................................................................ 46 By John Archer FAST FURNITURE ................................................ 48 For next to nothing

3

THE FEBRUARY- MAY Nit. 22

$323 THE

^ ̂Editors and Publishers

John, Gerry and Justin Archer

Typesetting: B.P. Typesetting Ply. L i d

7 Hampshire Rd, Glen Waverley 3170

Ph: (03) 561 21 11

A handmade basin crafted by a local potter in Buninyong, Vic.

Printers York Press Pty L i d

1-19 Hoddle St Abbotsford 3067

419 48%

LETTERS ................................................................ .3 ................................... GOLD MINE OF MUDBRICK 5 Registered by Australia Post

Publication No. VBP4715 Category B. Seriesof interviews withowner builders in

Buninyong. a small town near Ballarat Distributed 10 Newsagents by

Gordon and Goich ................................................ SWALLOW'S NEST 16 A different earthbuilding method used inGermany.

.......................................... ON SITE AT GEELONG 18 A day with the Geelong Earth Builders' Club. Q 1987 by



........................................ THERE'S A RIGHT WAY 20 ...................................... LETTING IN THE LIGHT 22

Make the sun work for you.

................................................ CLAY AND STONE .24 A charming cottage on the far south coast of N.S.W.

MUDBRICK PLANS.. ............................................. .29 By Rory Macleod.

Front Cover Peter and Janine Pilven i n their

mudbrick pottery. LOG ENDS ............................................................. . 32 Build your house with a chainsaw.

Back Cover Honor Coulsin her mudbrick and

stone cottage.

Inside Front The Walsh family.

Inside Back Pre-Modern Architecture.

.................. SOME HOT TIPS ON WOOD STOVES . .35 By John Archer.

.......................................... THE MAGIC COTTAGE 45 By Brim Rennard. An Easy-to-build house plan I

MAY-AUGUST No. 23 $3.25

l

Pole Frame Houses Revisited

MAY-AUGUST NO. 23 THE


Typesetting: B.P. Typesetting Ply. Ltd.

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Printers York Press Ply Lid

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@ 1987 by


P O Box 4036 Melbourne Vie 3001. Ph. (03) 419 3429

Front Cover

Pole frame house in N.S. W.

Back Cover

Living area of a 'self built' house on the Mornington Peninsula

Inside Front

Timber and mudbrick. An unusual bedroom.

Inside Back

A Japanese-style idea of using timber

P o l e frame houses revisited - page 16.

INSIDE LETTERS ............................................................... 5

.................................... TIMBER AND MUDBRICK 7 An octagon in northern N.S.W.

LOFTY THOUGHTS ............................................... 10 Using the space in your roof BUILDING SMALLER HOUSES ............................ 12 By Architect Phillip Hadley

.................... POLE FRAME HOUSES REVISITED By John Archer DORMER WINDOWS ............................................ .24 By Alien Staines

..................................................... HOUSE PLANS .29 By John Barton

..................... A RAMMED EARTH BRICK HOME .33 By Jeanette Burton

....................................................... RENOVATING .37 By Michael Oxer

............................. THE JOYS OF QUARRY TILES 41 By Greg Baker

.......................... DESIGNING FOR FLEXIBILITY .43 The Japanese approach to interior space By Koji Yogi

.................................. SELF BUILD IN VICTORIA .46 By Dennis Ingemarm BOOK REVIEW ..................................................... .S6

THE

BUILDING IHYOVR BACKYARD - A MUDBRICK STUD10e DIGGING THE DIRT - PARTS I AND 2 Ã STOW BUILDERS*

MUDBRICKS THE EASY WAY # LOAD BEARING VERSUS POST AND BEAM coWSn?UCT/OH 0 DECORATE WWB WALLS#

TIMBERHOUSEHAUSBY TREVOR KOOCHEW

August-November

THE WNER Cfc UILDER

A Editors and Publishers

Gerry and Justin Archer

Typesetting: B.P. Typesetting Ply. Ltd.

7 Hampshire Rd. Glen Waverlcy 3170

Ph: (03) 561 2111

Primers York Press Pty Ltd

1-19 Hoddic St Abbotsford 3067

419 4855


Category B.

Distributed to Newsagents by Gordon and Goich



Front Cover Taylor House NSW

Photo Paul Shipion

Back Cover Mudbrick panel

with bottle and sculpture Inside Front

Glazed chaffcutter wheel in Picot Studio

Photo Glen PIcOI

INSIDE ....................................................... LETTERS 5

A LIMESTONE HOUSE .......................... IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS 8 By Paul and Amanda Shipton

................................ TALE OF TWO HOUSES 13 By Barry Tranter and Marilyn Kelly

DIGGING THE DIRT PARTS 1 & 2 ................. 17 By John Archer

MUDBMCK STUDIO ...................................... 24 By Glen Picot

TIMBER COTTAGE PLANS ........................... 29 By Trevor Koochew

LOAD BEARING V. POST AND BEAM ........... 34 By Russell Andrews

MUDBRICKS THE EASY WAY ....................... 37 By Chris Henderson and Sally Hildred

SOUTH COAST OF NSW ....................................... OWNER BUILDERS 43 By Kate Bragg

BOTTLES IN YOUR WALLS ......................... 46 By Marly Wright

3

the owner builder 1981-1989 1-36

Documents

john archer

ownerbuilder interview

owner builders

simon archer thanks

s t i bu ted

gerry archer business

home sweet home peter

environmental building