Engineer approach

We followed Carl’s recommendation and had an initial consult with Colin from Eco Structural Engineers. He welcomed us into his Straw Bale home which he is building himself and we sat and talked about our project and it quickly became apparent that he has a lot of practical experience with this method of construction.
Colin is a charismatic guy and really impressed us with his eagerness to use recycled materials wherever possible and his ability to see alternative solutions to challenges. He has a very “can do attitude” when facing client concerns. When we said we had a supply of recycled cypress timber for purlins, it became apparent that they were not going to be suitable for the purpose. As we continued to talk about aspects of the design, it wasn’t long before Colin had come up with an idea to solve one challenge and potentially use the cypress to do it.
At the end of the meeting Colin agreed to put together a fee proposal warning us that he was a bit on the expensive end of the spectrum for a structural engineer but still represented value for money. So, it was with some trepidation that we opened Colin’s fee proposal a few days later. It was more than we thought but looking at the skills and experience combined with the services being included we felt that it was worth pursuing so we set up a second meeting and invited Colin up to see the site and the center.
Colin arrived and we sat and discussed the latest drawings and elevations from Emma and again it was great to see Colin’s mind working away at solutions and answers to questions that Lizz and I had. After talking and scribbling for an hour we took a ride over to Whiptail to take some photos and let Colin get a feel for the site. We were welcomed by a Koala in a tree, right in front of where the house will sit which was just beautiful. We are so fortunate to live in this environment with all these wonderful animals around us. We left the site with Colin saying that he would revisit his fee structure and see what he could do to help us out. Again we are left with a continuing sense of gratitude of people’s ability to see the good work Wild Mountains does and do what they can to help us continue to do it.

Initial concept drawings

Having been drawing this house for the last five years, it was time to involve someone who knows what they are doing. Councils are a bit funny about receiving house plans on napkins and bits of old newspaper. So we talked to Emma Scragg. Emma has worked with Wild Mountains before and we are glad to have her on board for this project. After some discussion she has come up with some initial elevations. Although at this stage there are a lot of variables, she kindly pushed on with what little updated information we have given her in order for us to show a prospective engineer the ideas we have.
There will be changes but these drawings can give an idea of what it is we are going to build. My continued thanks go to Emma in working with us on this project for Wild Mountains, as I am sure I am not your average client and she is very patient with my erratic terminology use and variable understandings. I think she does well not to wince as I refer to building elements as thingys or, that bit that needs to go under there. I am constantly frustrated by my inability to draw what I can see in my head, so I am always grateful to have Emma able to create the way she does.

Next will be a meeting with the engineer to see if he wants to work on the project and if he is suitable for what we need.