Oregon

La inceputul anului 2012 am primit de la un bun prieten un film video despre arhitectura ecologica. Dintre toate metodele existente m-am indragostit de casele din “COB” (argila+nisip+paie). Adevarata atractie pentru mine are de a face cu exprimarea artistica prin aceste case. Mi-a placut totdeauna sa construiesc, sa creez cu ajutorul miinilor si a imaginatiei. Ca rezultat al acestui vechi interes, dar nu tocmai cu binecuvintarea parinteasca, am urmat cu mult timp in urma facultatea de constructii. Punind calatoritul pe primul loc, nu am profesat meseria studiata, dar am facut un hobby din ea. Metodele constructiei conventionale ne limiteaza insa forma de expresie si cred ca odata cu casele din cob mi-am descoperit o noua pasiune. Aceste case nu au forme stricte si nu ne reduc la liniile si unghiurile drepte ale materialelor conventionale. In plus, ele au un impact mai prietenos asupra naturii inconjutatoare, folosind materialele de pe terenul propriu, deci reducind poluarea asociata cu transportul, si folosind mai putin lemn, deci taind mai putini pomi vii. Sa mentionez si faptul ca e mult mai ieftin a construi propria casa in loc de a plati ani de zile unei banci o suma de 2-3 ori mai mare decit imprumutul initial? Vei sfirsi prin a avea casa pe care o creezi, nu cutia care seamana cu toate celelalte. In vara lui 2012 am decis deci ca ne entuziasmeaza aceasta idee destul ca sa platim un curs destul de  scump, in Oregon. Am ales cursul unui arhitect si profesor cu vechime in domeniu si cu un intreg manual publicat pe acest subiect. Am invatat deci practic sa sculptam case din cob cu Ianto Evans, in timp ce ne-am reprogramat mintile si am regindit propriile adevaruri sub ghidarea acestui om deosebit. Ianto Evans si sotia sa Linda Smiley, impreuna cu toti cei din clasa din august 2012 au avut un impact profund asupra experientei noastre de viata si gindire. Recomand clasa aceasta ca un nou mod de a gindi viata, finantele, oamenii, alimentele si natura, cit si ca si un exercitiu fizic si retreat mental si psihologic. Aici este linkul la site-ul profesorilor mei favoriti:  http://www.cobcottage.com/workshops

In the beginning of 2012 somehow I ran into a movie about earth friendly architecture and, out of all the existing methods, fell in love with cob homes. The real appeal to me was the artistic expression in these cob homes.  I always loved building and making things and a long time ago I earned a construction engineering degree. Yet, the conventional construction method is limiting in its form of expression. Cob homes have no strict shapes and are not reduced to the straight lines and angles of conventional materials. Besides, they are ecologically friendly, as the impact of building with materials on the site is less abusive on nature: less pollution from moving materials around and less use of wood/trees. Should I also mention the reduced cost of building your own home, expressing your own creativity, instead of paying a bank 2-3 times the cost of the loan over the life of the that loan? So you end up with the house you create, not the one anyone else has: the look alike box. In the summer of 2012 we decided we would love to learn how to build ecologically friendly artistically sculpted homes.  We chose a work shop in Oregon, as the architect and teacher has many years of experience with cob construction and a famous book/manual (The Hand Sculpted House) co-authored with partners Linda Smiley and Michael Smith. We practiced building cob with Ianto Evans, while retraining our minds and rethinking our truths under the guidance of this special and loving old soul. Ianto Evans and Linda Smiley, along with all of the August, 2012 class impacted us in a deep and meaningful way. I highly recommend the class as a new way of thinking about life, finances, people, food and nature, as well as for a good physical exercise and as a mental/psychological retreat. Here is the link to my favorite teacher’s workshop classes: http://www.cobcottage.com/workshops

Oregon is a diverse state, mixed with warm, dry, and flat inland summers, combined with very green, mountainous and often very cool (even in summer) coastal regions and rainforests. The people of Oregon display a general zest for healthy lifestyles. Clean and green with recycling bins, natural foods, vegan and vegetarian options seemingly more readily available than many places, Oregon appears to host a population of not only environmentally and health conscious, but environmentally intelligent. With clean roads weaving through lush green mountains and rivers; home to geological wonders like Crater Lake and with views the likes of Mt. Hood and occasional wildlife, it is easy to see why. Sandstone cliffs and rocky coastlines dotted with light houses regularly offer whale and Sea Lion sightings, the latter of which whose deep groans and barks are often heard before seen as one approaches the shoreline. Sunsets are beautiful, however in addition to the camera, be sure to bring some warm and wind/rain proof clothing when visiting the Oregon coastal region, even in summer. For a real treat, take a 9 day natural building course with the Cob Cottage Company, learn the centuries old revised and economical/ ecological methods (you will be surprised and enchanted) and enjoy an educational group hike –barefoot- through the woods.  Some of Oregon’s major cities such as Eugene and Portland are easy to get in and out of and provide good starting and ending points for exploration, in addition to exploring the cities themselves. Progressive west coast culture with major outerwear employers, food cart/trailer parking bazaars, historical sites and great views adorn them. Read more about, post comments, and share your Oregon experience and recommendations below.