NATURAL BUILDING
What is Natural Building? As stated in Wikipedia, "A natural building involves a range of building systems and materials that place major emphasis on sustainability; they lessen the environmental impact of buildings and other supporting systems, without sacrificing comfort, health or aesthetics Natural building uses primarily abundantly available, renewable, reused or recycled materials. The use of rapidly renewable materials is increasingly a focus. In addition to relying on natural building materials, the emphasis on the architectural design is heightened. The orientation of a building, the utilization of local climate and site conditions, the emphasis on natural ventilation through design, fundamentally lessen operational costs and positively impact the environmental.

An example of Natural Building - including a covered bench and curved wall - can be seen on Hwy 20 in Lucerne, by Morrison Creek. Built by roughly 60 local volunteers under direction of Natural Builder Massey Burke, the project won one of the prestigious Green California Leadership Awards in 2010. Watch a video of the Lucerne project!

The current concept for a natural building project on Clarks Island includes a tiered approach; first phase would be a gateway/wall with arches/Island signage at the bridge on Hwy 20.

The philosophy behind this was multi - it would be highly visible to the public; it would be an initial “easy” project which would use volunteer labor but not cost much in materials; it would draw attention to the Island and the floating island project; it would be used to involve local school children and teens as an educational tool.

Future projects would include a covered shade structure, display bases, low walls and benches.

The committee requested the BOS approve the initial costs of $6000 for the gateway/entryway. By a vote of 4-1, the BOS (acting as the Board of the Redevelopment Agency) agreed to bring the concept back for discussion if the community could fundraise 25% of the costs - or $1500. The community raised the 25% share and the BOS approved the Natural Building project on Sept. 14.

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Upcoming Project Schedules

This is a great opportunity for people of all ages to get involved for either a few hours, days or weeks! We will be using Lake County clay to create adobe bricks and build a gateway wall, Clarks Island sign and bench at the entrance to Clarks Island at Hwy 20, under the direction of Massey Burke.Ideal for school and community groups, families, and individuals of all abilities, volunteers for all projects on Clarks Island are being sought.

See everything that's happening - videos, photos, events - on our Clarks Island Sustainability Initiative Facebook Community page!

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