COSBA in Anapra, Chihuahua, Mexico
by Mike Blank, COSBA member
In association with World Hands Project, COSBA members Mark Schueneman, Laura Bartels, and Mike Blank participated in the construction of a 1250 square foot load-bearing straw bale addition to the Santo Nino Clinic in Anapra from November 6 to November 12, 2005. The project involved an assortment of alternative building technologies and included roof trusses manufactured onsite from wood pallet materials. World Hands volunteers stayed on an additional week to complete the roof structure and begin earthen plaster on the straw bale walls. The completed project will double the size of the existing clinic, serving special needs children in the Anapra area.
The first phase of the work on arrival involved the construction of a tire retaining wall at the south end of the addition. Used tires are readily available in Anapra due to the proximity of the city of Juarez . Tires are supplied free of charge by the local landfill and are used extensively in the area for retaining walls. A reinforced concrete grade beam with allowances made for bale strapping was formed and poured over the tire retaining wall to accept the straw bale walls.
Bale stacking followed from bales obtained locally. The quality of the locally available bales varied somewhat but was generally good. With the installation of plywood and 2x bond beams, the walls were ready for roof trusses.
Alfred von Bachmayr with World Hands Project has pioneered the use of wood pallet materials in the construction of roof trusses. The pallets' fasteners are cut using a sawsall and then recut to create the top and bottom cords, gussets and diagonal bracing for the trusses. Construction adhesive and nails are used at all joints. The trusses for this project were constructed on a template elevated to waist height on straw bales. The trusses had a clear span of 21 feet and an overall length of 24 feet. The COSBA contingent was involved in the construction of the trusses, but unfortunately wasn't there to set the roof.
Another use for the deconstructed pallets is the formation of interior and exterior walls, which are packed with a mud/straw mix (right).
A completed exterior wall is pictured below. Plasters are mixed in whatever containers are available, such as the bathtub in the lower left, and then tranported in the buckets in the foreground.
A finished interior wall of a local resident's home(lower right) includes artistic detail and its own truth window.
An integral part of the work in Anapra is the involvement of the local population in the clinic addition and other projects. All of the volunteers worked side by side with local artisans throughout the week, with language barriers being creatively and sometimes hilariously dealt with. The people of Anapra deal with the abuse of power by the wealthy and corruption by civil officials on a daily basis. Their self reliance and good humor are impressive. I can't wait to go back.
Mike
Pictured above: Mark Schueneman (fourth from left, in white t shirt), Mike Blank (eighth from left, in white tank top and hat), Laura Bartels (bottom right, in red shirt)
