Aims
We have developed an example of living in harmony with the earth and promoting well-being using the following:
1. Sustainable building methods using cob, straw bale, wattle and daub, and drystone walling.
2. Alternative energy including solar, wind, wood, water.
3. Permaculture … planting, gardening, farming, in harmony with the local environment using natural methods.
4. Holistic Healing (what better place to experience healing!)
5. Promoting other alternative technologies like compost toilets, solar cookers, etc.
6. Act as a learning and resource centre for those wishing to explore and incorporate these principles and technologies in their own lives and in their communities.
1. Sustainable building methods using cob, straw bale, wattle and daub, and drystone walling.
2. Alternative energy including solar, wind, wood, water.
3. Permaculture … planting, gardening, farming, in harmony with the local environment using natural methods.
4. Holistic Healing (what better place to experience healing!)
5. Promoting other alternative technologies like compost toilets, solar cookers, etc.
6. Act as a learning and resource centre for those wishing to explore and incorporate these principles and technologies in their own lives and in their communities.
In 1997 Jill bought a piece of property with the aim of setting up an example of sustainable living. She started by building a cob House. She had to go out to earn money to accomplish this so the process of building her house took many years. This was good as she could see where the sun rose and where it set, which directions the various winds came from and thus setting up passive solar. In the process she took on locals to assist her, thus giving many skills to the village. There were monthly workshops throughout the process of building Cobbit's Cottage, and many projects were birthed at MAT.
 Cobbit's Cottage finally finished |
|
We have built two houses with cob, adobe and wattle and daub, using lime plasters, and various natural methods of water proofing. (No cement, Yah!!!) On the left is Cobbit's Cottage, which took many years to build, but on the right is Little Cottage which we are proud to say only took 121 days.
We are now about 90% carbon neutral and our aim is to continue consulting, teaching and assisting those wishing to explore and incorporate these principles and technologies in their own lives and in their communities thus developing more and more examples of planetary healing.
We have accomplished what we set out to do. Become an example of environmentaly friendly living and being, living in harmony with man and nature rather than against them.
Our Aims
Test wall for earth plaster
Our aim is to continue consulting, teaching and assisting those wishing to explore and incorporate these principles and technologies in their own lives and in their communities thus developing more and more examples of planetary healing and in keeping with this aim Jill has been up to Jefferys Bay to consult on a sandbag house being built by Susan Botha, her sisters and their mom, Jakkie. It is to be Jakkie's house. .
We were asked to train the building team at d'Oude Werf Hotel in Stellenbosch, in natural and durable methods. These hard core contruction men were very gracious and embodied the new methods in no time and this lovely1802 building is restored with the original methods and materials.
We also visited Yolandi and Marc in Riebeeck East to share the lovely cob house they are building.
