[GSBN] Catalan vaults

[Andy Horn]

Hi Chris
I was fortunate to travel to Mexico about a month ago and while there in a
place called san Migel I saw what are known as "Boveda" domes /
vaults....they are a special kind of vault / dome space that is very flat
....very practical ....and in some of the old churches appeared from
roundings on the sides to curve into these flat stone slabs ....they were
the quite remarkable structures.

I did a guided tour of some houses and saw a modern house, which had used
the same technique to build all its roofs. I then learnt that apparently
there was 1 old builder who had still known the technique and someone
wanting to build with this old method had discovered this old guy and had
given him the chance to teach his method to some younger builders. It has
since gone through something of a revival in the area and has become a
celebrated local vernacular with many newer houses now  using this
technique.

They look like what  know as a  "squinch domes" , howev er in Mexico they
take it to another level in terms of flatness and weaving into vaulted
spaces as well. I can send you pictures - or any others of you if are
interested. If you google Boveda dome you will find quite a bit of it on the
web and even on U-Tube.

I also have a friend there that could hopefully put you in touch with
someone who knows the construction method more intimately.

Kind regards
Andy Horn





-----Original Message-----
From: GSBN-bounces at sustainablesources.com
[mailto:GSBN-bounces at sustainablesources.com] On Behalf Of Chris Magwood
Sent: 11 December 2011 06:55 PM
To: (private, with public archives) Global Straw Building Network
Subject: [GSBN] Catalan vaults

Hi all,

The mention on this list some months back about Catalan vaults (or 
Guastavino vaults) sparked my interest, and we've now decided to forge 
ahead and build one as the roof for a buried, earthbag root cellar at 
Trent University.

Does anybody have experience building these, or know of anybody who 
does. I'd like to try and hire in somebody to lead us in this build. 
It's a small structure (18 x 22 ft) so it won't be a long build, but I 
always like to have someone knowledgeable in charge when doing things I 
haven't done before.

The budget for the project is not high, but I would be willing to try 
and cover travel costs, food, lodging and a bit of cash for the right 
person.

Let me know!

Chris

-- 
www.chrismagwood.ca
www.endeavourcentre.org

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