Natural Building at Kinsale College

The flagship project at the Kinsale College has always been the Cordwood Amphitheatre. This unique structure- the only load-bearing cordwood building that I know of- was constructed in about 2001 by Rob Hopkins and his permaculture students and has provided a wonderful venue for the drama course, lead by Belinda Wild, to perform their annual play.

Drama tutors Belinda and Ian Wild

Although a big part of the theater’s appeal and charm is its open-air status, this has proved a nerve-racking experience for the drama tutors and students who had to cancel a couple of precious performances one year, or on occasion have been performing in heavy rain.

A temporary cover was in place last year but this year saw the creation of a stunning addition of a double-reciprocal-frame roof over the seating area, constructed by chainsaw-wizard Christy Collard.

Christy also helped with the outdoor kitchen nestled just below the amphitheatre, completed last year.

Pizza oven in outdoor kitchen

I also chose the reciprocal frame for my first building as tutor here, the Cordwood Roundhouse, built just behind the stage, for use as a classroom and changing room for actors during performances.

This was actually built as a training building, a composition of different styles and methods, including cordwood and cob- “cobwood”- a straw-bale wall to the north, hemp-lime and clay straw in a stud wall to the west. It is now approaching completion and can be used as classroom and workshop from next year.

“Natural building” usually refers to the use of natural materials such as cob, straw-bale, round-poles etc, but this year I made a radical departure with the introduction of the college’s first stud-frame timber building, which has proved a huge success in training students in specific skills. Alex Gazzaniga, already known to Zone5 readers for my compost toilet has taught this course with us and done a great job.

Finally, I should not forget the first building constructed by the permaculture course, a delightful small straw-bale cottage.

The opportunity to be involved in the design and construction of our own buildings and classrooms at Kinsale College is a unique opportunity for students and staff and we are very proud of all these buildings.

Despite the constraints of space in a small campus, we will continue to build new innovative structures and do our best to inspire and train the next generation of green building students.

Thanks to all the students and building tutors over the years who have helped make the Kinsale college such a special place.

This year’s college play will be Shakespeare’s “Love Labours Lost” at the college amphitheater May 6,7,8; and 12,13,14 and 15th at 8pm College Box office: 086 3648112