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Stillwell Farms Dome. A “masterpiece” in living willow architecture. Motivations. Skepticism Does this actually work? Summer housing Cheaper than C-town sublet Close to work. Research. Plenty of internet resources
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Stillwell Farms Dome A “masterpiece” in living willow architecture
Motivations • Skepticism • Does this actually work? • Summer housing • Cheaper than C-town sublet • Close to work
Research • Plenty of internet resources • HDRA Organic organisation factsheet http://www.hdra.org.uk/factsheets/gg37.htm • BBC Gardening http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/design/projects/fencing_willowstructure.shtml • Living Willow Structure by JonWarnes
Design One simply shaped really big dome with a single door. Simple and large scale.
Construction • Trench dug • One foot deep by ten feet wide (2 shovel lengths)
Construction • Willow cut • All spears cut from a fallen Black Willow (Salix negra) trunk near a streambed with a chainsaw • About 30 large spears (2 inch + diameter) with many smaller shoots • Most branches had two or three years of growth
Construction • Larger Spears tied into archs • Continuously wrapped (a method found to be effective in class) • Arches leaned against each other and tied at the top
Construction • Smaller spears added at various angles for support and fullness • Shoots will develop new growth along the stem when branch angles approach 45 degrees • Every connection tied firmly with twine (I found a useful knot by about 50 ties) • Trench filled, soil watered
Finished Product Forgot to take a picture, but these are close:
Artistic considerations • Made to mirror the shape of straw-bale house on site • Both dome shaped, seen together