Fluorescent Nails?

As we dazzled in the glare of Monikas orange toenails, the sun beat down for a hot day in Poland. On site at Mr Brzeski’s workshop and home we were instructed with three core tasks that would evolve the discussions to date regarding CBT in to the practical construction of some of the fundamental and primary building processes. Our assignments were to: construct a stone foundation, lay bricks for a standard wall and construct the arch brickwork for a window.

Set to task, we split into our groups and began. In the Orchard group 3 began to solve the puzzle of the arch. Using a dormer window frame as an example they built up and around it and cut the straw, clay blocks into appropriate sections for the arch. Mr Brzeski had, we assumed, purposefully provided the basic challenge of making an arch stand and hold its own weight without specifying the exact configuration of the blocks. This allowed for us to work out the engineering of locating different shaped blocks in order to meet the required angles and bonding for a successful arch.

Photo by Ania Bas

Much excitement was generated by Mr Brzeski’s inspection and test by which Claire, Dan and Ania had to each jump up and down on their respective constructions. The conclusion was clear as no-one fell through and the arches remained in tact!

Photo by Ania Bas

Photo by Ania Bas

For groups two and three the tasks stimulated various debates about process and materials in regards to a comparison with building methods back home in the UK. The differences between building techniques became a useful way for the wider group to learn. By openly sharing with each other information, some group members were able to explain the reasons why they have been building in a different way in the UK, still using natural materials. This illustrated practical learning points for both ourselves and Mr Brzeski that enabled us to each consider for ourselves how we would approach our own projects in the future.

Today was excellent because we were given exercises that required our own initiative to actually construct aspects of a building and understand the principles behind them. It demanded great team work in order to reach a successful outcome which in turn supported the already established dynamic between group members.

Claire and Alistair

Photo by Ania Bas
Notes to myself:
• Builders bums are not pretty.
• Try to avoid being photographed with a clay sausage!
Claire