what part of western mass are you located in?

I'm in Worthington. We got half the infill in last weekend and are finishing up Thursday. All went quite well. I'm using a mortar mixer for the slip but next time I want to try digging a trench and stomping up a nice batch. It would be nice to not have to spend money renting machinery.

We'll see how the weather holds up this Fall. As far as covering the exterior, I think I'll wait and see. I don't want to hold in the moisture with a bunch of plastic if not needed. Right now there's great dry, windy and sunny weather forecasted for the next week or so. I'll just cross my fingers.

Reply back as the winter approaches. It would be good information on what you experience.

To be clear, I would not wrap it tight. I would allow at least 4-6 feet around the building, walking room. And it would have to be vented in some manner.

i'm right around the corner in chester. if you need help with anything, i'd be more than happy to lend a hand. sounds like an interesting project.

IS,

Do you know Dave Bowman in Worthington? He did a straw/clay enclosure around his shop. I think he has a custom mixer that he made as well. Look him up.

Hey all,
Sorry I never wrote anymore. Internet access is spotty in my life these days. The project isn't complete but the chips/clay dried with little problem although I'm realizing we didn't do the best job with regards to the clay/chip ratio (not wet enough) nor was the install done thorough enough in that the consistency of the fill density is sporadic. The final product in the walls is not as dense as it could/should be, however we have been able to weather the -13 degree nights with our Jotul 118 wood stove. Also, by the time the walls cured it was too cold for the exterior clay plaster application so we went with 1" ship-lap siding.

The floor is just 2.5" of white pine with no insulation and the foundation is stone so there's certainly a lot of cold coming from there and we haven't plastered the interior yet either. Anyway, I learned a whole lot and am eager to use it again on a more substantial and better planned structure. I'll try and check in again soon if anyone has questions or if anyone wants to see the place, PM me.

J