FEATURE PROJECT
MacDonald Earth Bag Garden Wall Project
The goal of the garden wall project is to create a uniquely attractive masonry wall extending from the existing straw bale house that is fitting with the organic look of the bale walls and in keeping with the green building principles embodied in the house construction. The earth filled bags replace concrete, which is the more commonly used material. The foundation for the wall is a shallow frost protected foundation. The wall will be plastered with a lime / portland plaster and finished with mineral paints.
Model of Earthbag wall connected to existing home.
Project Pictures
First three courses of bags on concrete grade beam. Form for arched doorway is in place.
Bags being filled on wall. Bag stand is used to initially fill bags.Note barbed wire “velcro” between bag courses.
Completing a row. Arch form is placed on top of rectangular form for doorway.
Bag work complete!
First coat of plaster.
Arch detail.
Mesh preparation for second coat of plaster.