Alchemy 070 - Peter Cowman - The Shelter Maker

In 1989 Peter Cowman, a qualified architect began a rethink of what architecture should be. He wanted to examine the ideas and motivations behind shelter making, taking it back to basics, looking at what we would want to use all the spaces in a home for and looking at designing for the individual that the design evolves with the making with an emphasis on no mortgage or planning permission building possibilities.

He developed the econospace, a timber framed building of less than 25msquare (no need for planning if on a piece of land with a building already on it). It is a simple structure with posts and beams and an infill of clay and straw. Windows are sealed and ventilation is provided by vent shafts which can be opened and closed as needed ensuring maximum insulation and heat retention. The structure can be built for €5000.

In an attempt to to help to take away the mystery of shelter making, to bring it back into people’s consciousnesses, Peter developed his living architecture course which he has honed over the last 20 years. He also runs a website where he shares his philosophy on shelter making, sustainability and food growing and teaches it on a regular basis in Leitrim and Australia.

 

More info: Living Architecture Centre

Host: John Gibbons

Music: The B-52's - Love Shack

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