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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
POSTED:
April
12, 2002
EASY TO USE, LOW-COST MATERIAL BUILDS HOMES,
SCULPTURES, AND MORE
San Francisco, CA -- April 12, 2002 -- Learn to make and
use the low-cost and do-it-yourself materials Hybrid Adobe and Papercrete
at Philip Mirkin's sustainable building workshops. Rather than cutting
down trees for new construction, Hybrid Adobe and Papercrete reuse sawdust,
junk mail, packaging, newspapers, and magazines, which are mixed with
water, soil, clay, and cement to create remarkable new hybrid building
materials.
Bay Area events include a seminar to be held at Fort Mason Center in San
Francisco, on Saturday, April 27th from 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM. A hands-on
workshop which complements the seminar will be held the following day
in San Anselmo on Sunday, April 28th from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
These practical seminars teach revolutionary forms of sustainable building
using materials that are cheaper and easier to build with than classic
adobe, conventional framing, concrete block, or strawbale. These materials
can be combined with more traditional frame construction and strawbale
for stand-alone construction or remodels of existing buildings. For sculpture,
garden, and furniture-building, Hybrid Adobe and Papercrete are quick
to mix and comparatively lightweight once cured.
Hybrid Adobe blends earth with recycled paper, sawdust, plant fibers,
water, and a bonding agent such as cement to create a very strong, fibered,
non-toxic material. When dry, Hybrid Adobe is lightweight, flexible, and
easy to cut with a saw, lending itself to creative applications.
Papercrete mixes recycled paper, concrete, and air into a slurry, that
when formed and dried, becomes a versatile building material which has
similar properties to Hybrid Adobe. Compressive strengths of 300 pounds
per square inch can be achieved when used for load-bearing walls.
Ready applications for Hybrid Adobe and Papercrete include conventional
housing, add-ons, remodels, domes, garden walls, sculpture, and sheds.
Extremely effective insulation levels can be achieved (typically R2 to
R3 per inch). They can be applied to the exterior of an existing buildings
as as a facelift, creating an attractive new surface that reduces heating
and cooling costs substantially.
Additionally, these materials are remarkably inexpensive, since other
than cement, all of the ingredients can be procured at little or no cost.
Owner-built homes have been constructed in the U.S. for as little as $1,000.
These low-cost sustainable techniques are beginning to revolutionize home
construction in developing areas of the world, as well as here in the
United States.
People who would like to use Hybrid Adobe and Papercrete for their own
construction and sculpture projects, as well as those working in architecture
and the building trades are encouraged to attend.
SEMINAR AND WORKSHOP DETAILS:
WHAT:
Hybrid Adobe Building Seminar and Sculpture Workshop
WHEN:
Saturday, April 27, 2002; 11:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday, April 28, 2002; 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
WHERE:
4/27 Seminar at Fort Mason Center, Room C260, San Francisco, CA
4/28 Hands-on Workshop at 404 San Francisco Blvd., San Anselmo, CA
WHO:
Led by Philip Mirkin, Hybrid Adobe Builder from Colorado
COST:
SLIDING SCALE 4/27: $75 ($45 Low-income, $25 Students/elders 60+)
4/28: $50 ($25 students/elders/low-income)
Work Exchange and Scholarships available
CONTACT:
For Seminar Information and Registration contact:
Email:
Phone: 866-305-1403
(After 4/22 one can also call: 415-776-9800)
View Philip Mirkin's web site with construction photos:
http://www.hybridadobe.com/
MORE INFORMATION
The seminar will be taught by builder Philip Mirkin. A UCLA graduate,
Mirkin has led dozens of seminars in ancestral Puebloan architecture and
hybrid adobe construction, and has published two books. He has remodeled
many buildings and is currently building his own home of hybrid adobe
and hybrid adobe-covered strawbale. As Director of Avant Garde Travel
(since 1986), Philip Mirkin has led adventure trips to ancient Puebloan
sites in the Southwest as well as dozens of humanitarian aid relief expeditions.
Recent reviews and feature articles obtained on request.
Work exchange and scholarships are available. Space is limited and past
seminars have filled. Secure a spot by sending a check or money order
payable to "Philip Mirkin" and send c/o Thompson, 1909 Golden
Gate Ave., San Francisco, CA 94115. A portion of event proceeds will fund
free building seminars in developing nations.
For more information: call 866-305-1403; from April 21st to the 30th call
Philip at 415-776-9800; email any time to
.
Web site: http://www.hybridadobe.com/
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