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June 2010

Hello all of you.
I am excited to find myself again reaching out to you all and sharing some Mud Moments.  First off, did you notice, I have given this little newsletter a name, Mud Moments.  All back copies are on the website now as well.

To help take this construction company to the next levels of success I have hired a project manager.  Jeremy Rosenbloom comes back to us after some time at Portland Community College studying construction management and some hands on carpentry work.  Jeremy interned with us a few years back and his attention to detail, organized mind and work ethic along with his all around great personality has brought him back.  We continue to have an amazing crew of roving mud and carpentry masters to fill in the team as needed. 

Places to see some earthen construction elements! 
  • This is the week of the Village Building Convergence.  A great way to get hands on experience and inspiration.
  • The new office space of the Oregon Tradeswomen is now open and has an earthen floor that was completed by our first Earthen Floor Training.  Their website does not have the new address.  They are in the Heritage Building at 3934 Northeast Martin Luther King Junior Blvd, Portland 97212
  • The first Tuesday of the month we are hosting an Open Studio from 4-6pm.  3569 SE Woodward
Do you have a project you want to get some help figuring out? 
And would you like to get training in the trade of installing earthen floors?
  • June in Eagle Creek Oregon, one hours drive southeast of Portland
  • July in Cottage Grove, 30 minutes drive south of Eugene, Oregon. 
  • Details on the website   www.sukita.com
In closing I wanted to share about a great program that helps introduce new ideas into code.  We are going to build a cob Rumford Fireplace for the Cell Rejuvenation Center.  While there is code for building a Rumford out of cement there is no mention of using cob as the building material.  We have applied to the Alternative Technology Advisory Committee for assistance with the city appeals process.  This committee takes the time to support alternative technologies.  Once they are in support of your idea, which can take some time if there is more data needed to support your idea, their report is likely to help you pass an appeal with the city.  This report can be simply called up again for the same alternative technology and with enough uses of the report the process or material can be written into city code.  Very cool.  If you are not in Portland I encourage you to contact ATAC to get advice to create one in your area.

A great book on Rumfords.

Check out the web site, I have done some work to make it easier to find what you are looking for and added some amazing photos taken by Mike O'Brien. 

May you find inspiration and relaxation in your day.

Sukita Reay Crimmel
Owner, Mud Enthusiast

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Thank you to Alan S. Weiner for contribution of certain images. | Portland web design by Watermelon Web Works, LLC