Today's task was to finalize the purchase of the building materials for Sunday's test build. The following are the supplies purchased. With the exception of the hinges all items were purchased at the N. Huntsville Lowe's home improvement store.

Supplies:
Qty: 23 7/16" OSB 4x8 sheets
Qty: 24 2x4"x8' pressure treated studs
Qty: 2 2x4"x16' pressure treated stud
Qty: 2 cans Dow Great Stuff inflatable insulation/waterproof barrier
Qty: 90 3.5" Brass hinges (either Stanley or an off brand) rounded
Qty: 540+ Hinge screws
Qty: 5 gallons Exterior Paint

Habitat Restore: $48.60
Lowe's: $218.38
Total cost: $266.98

Other stuff hanging around:
OSB boards, boards of various lengths and sizes, nails, screws, miter saw, circular saw, saw hours, circular saw cutting guide, paint sprayer, ladders, nail gun, clamps, string, ground stakes, screwdrivers, hammers, miter box and saw

A few random notes:
1. There was a wonderful guy named Ed at Lowe's that loaded ALL the lumber onto the trailer!
2. We had a collective effort to unload the material at Shekinah Farm from Devonne, Christie, Satch, Desiree, Shelly, Symonne and myself. So basically seven of us did the work of unloading what one person, Ed, did by himself
3. A 10% Lowes coupon is in the "change of address" packets that are available from the United States Postal Service! Hint...hint! The discount almost paid for the paint for this build!

The work today was to level the build site and safely bury the water/sewer lines and rope a rough outline of the build site. The approximate work time was 1 hour 15 minutes.

The hexayurt has progressed from its brilliant beginnings in the hands of Vinay Gupta. This design was initially a solution for third world countries and burning man participants. The Factor E Farm group decided last fall to attempt a plywood build and after looking at the cost implications of that build I began work on redesigning the original construction design into a semi-permanent cabin style hexayurt.

The following links will provide you with background and development history and pictures.

The Hexayurt Project

Factor E Farm Plywood Hexayurt

We will be conducting a test build on June 14, 2009 at Shekinah Farms (http://shekinah-farm.com/). This test build will be erect a standard hexagon Hexayurt (www.hexayurt.com developed by Vinay Gupta) with a raised (cinder block supported) foundation. The test build will be erected on a site that currently has a new water and sewer line.

This test build is for the following purposes (and I'm sure there will be a few more implications along the way):
1. Construct the foundation for the traditional hexayurt according to current design data
2. Construct the hexayurt wall/roof assembly using the current hinged wall design
3. Document the wall/floor construction and assembly
4. Document the circular saw cutting guides, testing for accuracy and ease of use
5. Calculate appropriate manpower requirements for construction and assembly
6. Calculate manhour requirements for construction and assembly
7. Collection of still photography and video for use in further data analysis and for the development of training documents and aids

What we expect to see at the end of this test build is:
1. A complete hinged wall hexayurt firmly affixed to a raised (cinder block supported) foundation with the capabilities to have running water and a septic connected bathroom.
2. A revised construction plan for this model
3. Video and still photography footage for use in further analysis and in the development of training material and build documentation

Implications:
1. An accurate construction plan will allow us to plan for further testing (testing of insulation is a vital next step in the design process
2. Completed construction will allow us to determine a final cost for construction
3. Completed construction will allow us to move forward in testing the use of water/sewer connections
4. Completed construction of the exterior will allow us to further test interior wall and sleeping/storage loft designs and construction

Resources needed:
1. Financial resources: We would like a $500 buffer for this test build. This will ensure adequate material for the build and will also provide enough funding for plumbing materials essential to connecting the hexayurt to water and sew lines. Chip In: http://convertiblecommunity.chipin.com/hexayurt-test-build-june-14-2009-shekinah-farms-al
PLEASE MAKE A DONATION SO THAT WE WILL HAVE ADEQUATE FUNDS ON HAND PRIOR TO THE TEST BUILD (any donation will be appreciated)

2. Human resources: If you are close enough to the North Alabama region (Hazel Green, AL) please plan to come join us. There are adequate camping (tent and travel trailer) space and adequate bath facilities available onsite. Come for the weekend or come for the day!

If you would like more information please email me at larahna@gmail.com or call at 478.338.2670!

Building solutions!
LaRahna