This document is a sample of the work done by Cooperative Sítio until the end of 2012. It includes also some future projects and goals.It is a constantly evolving document.

is a collective formed in February 2011 with the multiple objective to produce, investigate, document and disseminate solutions that allow people and communities to better understand and control productive activities and their material reality.We believe that an increased autonomy, through a closer involvement in the productions of goods needed to live, opens the way to an existence that is not only happier, more comfortable, more creative but also non-destructive of our biosphere.Our work is organized in four main areas: Services, Training, Research and Documentation.

COOPERATIVE SÍTIO

Sítio is a dynamic and constantly evolving network that unites people from different places and interests with different degrees of involvement.

Team - dedicated to the strategical organization of the coop:

*Ana Ruivo (PT) Architect.

*Inês Monteiro (PT) Nutritionist.

*José Ruivo (PT) Manager.

*Pedro Monteiro (BR) Architect.

*Samuel Rodrigues (PT) Architect.

Collaborators - people and entities that regularly participate in different projects:

*Ágata Terrão (PT) Architect.

*Casa de Darei (PT) Workshops Infrastructure and logistics.

*Cris Manene (ES) Architect.

*Dário Canntà (PT) Graphic Designer.

*Giovanni Palmaccio (IT) Architect.

*Humberto Varum (PT) Civil Engineer. Earth and seismic construction.

*Jacinto Rodrigues (PT) Philosopher and Historian. Urban Ecology

*Manuel Semedo (PT) Mechanical Engineer Student.

*Rafael Loschiavo (BR) Bioclimatic Architecture.

*Tomás Valle (PT) Designer and Film maker.

Partners - People or entities that participate in specific projects or events.

*Cannatà e Fernandes (PT) Architecture.

*Ernst Gotsch (CH) Agriculture and researcher in Agroforestry.

*Fernando Cartaxo (PT) Enginear and researcher in aerial lime.

*Gernot Minke (DE) Architect, Engeniear and Researcher in eart and straw .building, green roofs and other natural materials.

*Hugh Piggott (UK) Reasearcher in wind turbines.

*Jimmy Dowds (IE) Alternetive energies Expert.

*Miriam Sheerin (IE) Alternetive energies Expert.

*Tibá (BR) Center for bio Architecture

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Present model of economic growth

With the development of a savage capitalism dominated by the financial system, the number of those struck by social insecurity, transformed in useless labour with no place in social life, rises, whilst others remain as consumers indispensable to the realization of profit. In this context, of severe inequity in our societies but also on a global scale, the subjection of the political institutions to the interest of the large financial and economical groups compromises the development of democracy and at the same time undermines the belief on its value. The enforcement of a unique way of thought and the weakening of the ideological debate, render citizens extremely doubtful of their ability to influence their own life as well as their communities’.Simultaneously we experience the deep antagonism between the biosphere and this “predatorial” economic system, based on the exploration of fossil fuels and exhaustible natural goods. Nature’s ability to recycle is not compatible with the speed of destruction caused by our present model of development.

Not only on the level of material resources but also on the level of climatic changes, we are in the presence of a material crisis of which we are wildly responsible.

In the context that we just discussed, we try to orient Sítio’s interventions, focusing on three different dimensions of the problem:

DepletionA great proportion of the raw material that we use today, from fuel to the materials needed to build all that surrounds us is of fossil origin or demands the exploration of goods that do not exist in nature in unlimited quantities. A lot of them are already becoming scarcer or exponentially more expensive, which not only creates ecological disturbances but also increases the phenomenon of domination and social inequality.

ContaminationA lot of the products and fabrication processes that we are dependent on are pollutants. Air, water and soil are getting more and more contaminated by substances that cause adverse changes and that by affecting the normal functioning of ecosystems, inevitably harm human health.

Social exclusionGlobalized Capitalism promotes an increasing concentration of the means of production and of wealth – collectively produced – in the hands of small groups of individuals. Access to living conditions compatible with human dignity are far from being generalized and, on top of that, poverty alongside with worrisome phenomenon of social atomization, is rising again in considered “developed societies”.

Renewable MaterialsUsing materials that are renewable or abundant on a global and local scale – avoiding transportation costs and energy waste – is one of the ways to promote a fairer distribution of resources. It’s also a way to guarantee that we truly respect the ecosystems in which we participate.

RecyclingOrganizing materials, objects and technologies as if they have a life cycle similar to the natural ones is a precondition to promote an abundant and non-destructive way of life. Organizing the means of production by changing the notion of waste to that of a nutrient (biological or technological) which is able to feed future activities is the way to a reduce our impact on nature and increase recourses for all.

CooperationThe creation of communities that balance productive autonomy with cooperation (both within and with others), by implementing participatory power structures that may be controlled by its members is a way to broaden opportunities for all and to promote de development of culture and true citizenship. It’s all about intensifying the intra and inter territorial community exchanges and, simultaneously, increasing its member’s ability to understand and control productive activities.

Some contributes for a ecologicallysustainable development model

Trying to solve as best as possible the regular needs through locally based productive means, increases chances to promote what we could call “ecological art”. As defined by Richard Sennett, this art demands a radical change in production procedures and in the use of goods allowing ways of utilizing resources that translate a continuous search of respect to the material reality.Working in developing economies with a human scale is a way to reinforce the dialogue between concrete practical activities and reflexive thought, re-establish, without rejecting modern technologies, the dialogue between the hand and the head, typical in craftworks, as well as an enriching rhythm between the solution and the identification of the problem.Investing in local economies is a way to explore and reinvent the arts and crafts, not in the sense of using simple hand tools, but in the sense that producing is an intense and durable human wish to perform his work well, to invest the best of himself in his makings.

Sítio’s contribution to render this new model a reality is its dedication to the development of Local Economies.

Appropriate Technologies – technologies that use science and art to achieve an increased autonomy from the market economy. The main objective is to increase the ability of individuals and communities to meet many of their needs and to improve their living standards through modernized activities, even if sometimes based on ancestral knowledge, whose product remains outside the formal economic sphere. They increase creativity and promote an understanding of how the world is built.These technologies don’t depend on very specialized labour and can generally be accomplished using simple and accessible tools and materials. This results in “transparent” objects that can be not only functional but pedagogical elements in themselves.Due to its importance in creating the environment we inhabit, the constructive and architectural techniques will be our main focus.

Agroecology – territorial planning which seeks the seamless integration between agricultural production systems (for the benefit of man) with natural systems in ways that promote, more than sustainability, an increase of local vitality. This research seeks solutions for the creation of what may be called structural ecological landscapes in which individuals and communities are participants in an ecosystem in constant growth and with an increasing complexity.Agroforestry, because of its comprehensive approach, will be the method explored in greater depth.

Concretely we have two main fields of activity:

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SERVICES

TRAINIG

RESEARCH

DOCUMENTATION

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SERVICES

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Sítio is a multidisciplinary team willing to get involved, with commitment and quality, in providing a wide range of services. Amongst others, the services we provide are:

*Project design of ecological architecture;

*Consultancy on eco-technologies;

*Building with ecological materials;

*Production and commercialization of products.

We provide services that are aligned with the main objective of the cooperative: to develop and disseminate solutions to (re)conciliate thought and action and to create the opportunities for all to understand and participate actively in the fabrication of all that surround us.

The building of spaces (for living, for having fun, for learning, etc.) and all the elements necessary for them to function in an efficient, economical, ecological and rich way (like energy production devices, food production, sanitation, etc) is our main focus.Working in different regions of the globe, under very different economical and social conditions, we always try to establish with our clients and/or partners meaningful relationships so that, not only, we can achieve high quality results but also to allow that the process itself becomes an enriching and empowering activity for all.

SERVICES

ProjectsWe aim to design ecological and economical projects that have great quality of space and a positive social impact. We try to maximise the use of widely available natural materials that are comfortable and more importantly compatible with the human health; apply the principles of bio-climatization; resort to renewable energies and to appropriate technologies. We do this in order to produce buildings that are cheaper to build and maintain and also to encourage the participation of the clients (and/or students of a workshop).

ConsultancyWe offer consultancy services to construction and design professionals but also to self-builders that seek support in their works.The subjects that we work on are:*Building with raw earth (adobes, rammed earth, wattle and daub and interior and exterior plasters, etc);*Building green roofs;*Ecological sanitation (dry toilettes, grey water filters, bio-septic tanks, rain water collecting, etc).

We can also ensure the training of labour force on the previous subjects.

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ConstructionErecting buildings out of local and ecological materials is another of the services we provide taking advantage of the diversity of building sites we’ve worked on in the past.Building with earth (adobes, rammed earth, wattle and daub and interior and exterior plasters, etc) is our main objective even if we work with other materials like wood, stone, straw bales, amongst others.

ProductsAs a result of our investigations and learning experiences we’re able to manufacture and sell several kinds of products:Up until now we work in three main areas:

*Ecological construction materials;*Devices for energy autonomy;*Elements for ecological sanitation.

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Ecological construction materialsBecause of all its technical, economical, esthetical and social advantages, raw earth is the bases for all of our construction elements. We produce adobes (raw earth blocks), CEB’s (compressed earth blocks), prefab earth and natural fibber panels (for internal walls), earth plasters amongst others.

SERVICESProducts

Elements for ecological sanitationThe development and application of zero effluent sanitation is something urgent to stop the contamination of soil, water courses and groundwater. Through our practical and learning experiences we can now build: Dry toilets (based on the Clivus Multrum, developed by Swedish Rikard Lindström and simplified by Johan van Lengen) with a great performance and easily integrated onto buildings; Bio-septic tanks able to get rid of black waters simply and ecologically; Biological filters for grey waters.All these elements allow that all different kinds of waste produced by sanitation systems are introduced back into the ecosystem without harming or contaminating it.

Devices for energy autonomyAfter having promoted a workshop on building a wind turbine and translating Hugh Piggott’s book “Wind Turbine Recipe Book” we are now able to build wind turbines of different sizes. So, that is something that we can now commercialize.

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Although we work with a wide range of materials and technical solutions, building on raw earth is of fundamental importance in our actions. There are various reasons that lead us to develop an approach based on this material:

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Despite being one of the oldest materials, earth continues to be the subject of technical studies and innovations. Rigorous laboratory testing has provided us with an extensive and deep understanding of this material. Thus it is known that earth has great benefits for the environmental comfort in buildings:

* Earth controls inside humidityEarthen walls promote constant moisture levels ideal for human health, preventing and reducing the incidence of respiratory diseases and the formation of fungi;

* Earth has a high thermal mass This material has the ability to store and slowly release the sun’s heat, keeping the interior temperature constant and comfortable. This feature is ideal for climates with large temperature variation from day to night;

* Earth filters out electromagnetic radiationWithin an earth building the values of radiation produced by mobile phone antennas and power lines are negligible.

* Earth is very resistant to compression strengthThere is an earthen building in Germany, compliant with all present normative that is 5 floors tall. Likewise, in Yemen, there are buildings 12 floors tall constructed only out of earth and 500 years ago.

SERVICESBuilding with Earth

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But what makes the earth really exceptional, even from a philosophical standpoint, is that it materializes values that make it democratic and appropriate:

* Earth is a local material (Almost) all soils are eligible to become a building material and since it can be obtained on the building site it avoids transportation’s high economical and energetic costs;

* Earth has very little inbuilt energyBeing used raw, earth does not require the use of heavy technology that consume a lot of energy and resources;

* Earth is 100% recyclable and biodegradable In all its techniques, earth can be reused without any limitation and to the extent that produces no waste or pollutants, it’s a truly ecological material.

* Earth is low-costBecause it can be attained at virtually no cost, earth is an extremely inexpensive building material, especially when used in self-building;

* Earth construction techniques are labour-intensive This technique requires more manpower than building with cement or burnt brick but, when analysed in conjunction with the previous (low cost), this feature turns out represent an opportunity for more equitable distribution of wealth, benefiting local population.

* Earth is an appropriate material For its versatility and simplicity, this technique allows any person or community to build, even without deep technical knowledge. All methods of earth construction are easily taught, and may be effective tools for self-construction in the service of individuals, groups and/or communities.

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Built spaces are a crucial part of our lives. As it is organized today, construction requires the accumulation of material wealth to be carried out – for the purchase of building materials and to ensure skilled labour. Building with earth is inscribed in another order of priorities. Because it can be done by groups of non-specialists with simple tools and in sharing moments, construction of houses or any other building out of earth promotes the strengthening of links between people and the transmission of knowledge.As a building material,earth is compatible with values of solidarity and sharing tremendously important to counter the individualistic and competitive logic that dominates contemporary society that undermines both groups and individuals.

SERVICESBuilding with Earth

SERVICESPortfolio

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The adobes used here were “acoustic”. The curved surfaces, that face the

inside, drastically decrease the annoying reverberation effects typical

to domes.

27SERVICESConstructionAdobe dome, Rio de Janeiro – Brasil, 2009With Gernot Minke and Tibá

The subject that united us from the beginning as a working group was earth building. This small building was a learning opportunity that we long awaited. It was built during an earth building workshop with Professor Gernot Minke, a worldwide authority regarding earth building. We took care of all the preparations for the workshops like formwork, guides, foundation and the production of the more than 3000 adobes needed to get the job done.The 6 days construction period of this 4,5m diameter adobe dome with about 25 people working plus professor Minke was very intense and inspiring. It gave us a complete understanding of the idiosyncrasies of building with this material – from the building details, to dealing with water, up to the coordination of big building teams.

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The straw bales are a material that even if cheap and easy to produce

and work with, has extremely good thermal insulation values.

29SERVICESConstructionStraw bale Dome, Hrubí Sur – Slovakia, 2010With Gernot Minke

The construction of this building was integrated in a workshop organized and orientated by Professor Gernot Minke. We came to the building site to work as working team coordinators. The teams were composed of a total of 30 people coming from all over Europe. Build over 5 weeks this 6m diameter dome – that is now an architecture studio – is made out of load bearing straw bales. Designed by Professor Minke, its structural characteristics made it the first of its kind in the world.This building material, straw, has great thermal insulation values, comparable to those of other chemical products - like extruded polystyrene – used in conventional construction and therefore has been the subject of new research projects (especially in northern countries that get really low temperatures). It can be used not only as insulation in buildings with structures made out of other materials but also, as in this case, as loadbearing elements.Being a technique with a certain amount of complexity, especially when used as structure, this was a great opportunity to learn and to be involved in a complex and demanding building site, managed with great accuracy and quality. The building is simultaneously a functional space and a test field monitored by several kinds of sensors.

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Local Collective building

Local traditional house

33SERVICESProject Design / ConsultancyThermal Water Complex, Nhafuba – Mozambique, 2010With Tibá

In another partnership with TIBA, we were invited to design and oversee the construction of a small complex adjacent to a hot water spring. This building is located in Nhafuba, a small village about five hours’ journey from Quelimane where there is no access to electricity, running water or any kind of telecommunication. The local community has a way of life virtually untouched by our Western culture. The client was the ZBL NGO that aims to develop fair tourism that tries to participate in the development of local communities. This was a very intense experience because more than a design or a construction job, it became an opportunity for true knowledge sharing. To start off we ran a survey on local and traditional constructive solutions and detailing. The building design was always performed with this survey in mind always trying to connect with the local architecture. The available resources were very scarce and this strategy allowed the creation of interesting and comfortable spaces, and in perfect harmony with the culture and environment they are part of. The construction phase was also embedded with this spirit. The adobes and coatings, for example, were made according to the local “recipes” and that was an extraordinary learning moment for us.Several ecological sanitation techniques were introduced as well as some methods of building site management.This building was like a school, both for us and for the locals involved in the construction work, materializing an exchange of ideas, knowledge and culture.The project is now in the final phase of its construction.

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Dry toilet built on site

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37SERVICESProject Design / ConstructionSeed Bank, Mangualde – Portugal, 2011

This is the first design totally conceived and designed by Sítio after it was officially created.Its program is simple; a small shed to support farming activities – tool shed, workshop for herbs and seed bank – that only required a small and simple space. This created the opportunity to design a prototype of an earthen structure. This small building was thought of as a module that on its own or multiplied can accommodate different programs (see more in the INVESTIGATION chapter).

The vault shape was chosen for its simplicity. This is a shell structure in which a single element creates the space. It’s a wall that becomes a ceiling and turns back into a wall. There is a single material for the entire building. It renders useless all parts, and their associated costs, involved on roof building, such as beams, trusses, etc. and their connection with the walls. Costs, time and resources needed for this construction can thus be reduced. Plus the space created is comfortable and cosy. The vault’s section is a catenary. This is the shape created by a chain when suspended by both ends. When mirrored, this form can be used to create the most efficient arches and vaults as all forces are transmitted down the entire structure as compression forces (under which adobes work best).Regarding the materials used we also decided to go with simplicity.

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43SERVICESConstruction6 Housing Units, Wangelin – Germany, 2011With Gernot Minke

This is another building in which we participated after Professor Minke’s invitation and that was built during a workshop. One of the main particularities of this building is that it is the first construction, in germany, using a straw bale structure in compliance with all building codes. Thus, this is a great building to show the potential of this material, especially regarding its thermal insulation proprieties (specially demanding in this country) but also its structural, safety and others. It’s a practical demonstration that buildings constructed with natural materials like straw and earth can perform extremely well even in harsh climatic and legal environments.To make this building happen, because a great portion of it was built with non-specialized labour (students at the workshop), a special attention to details and precision in all activities were needed.

Although we were only involved in the structural phase of this building, this was an important learning opportunity mainly regarding the detailing quality and working with big labour teams.

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Training session of local labour.

45SERVICESConsultancyEcobairro Muquinquim, Guadalupe - São Tomé e PríncipeFor Baixo Impacto Arquitetura (BR)

Sítio was invited to go to São Tomé e Príncipe for a consultancy on earth building for a small 10 house “Eco-neighbourhood” promoted by PNUD and São Tomé’s Government and design by Baixo Impacto Arquitectura. One of the most important underlying objectives to this project was the introduction of earth building. By using wood as the most wide spread building material, the locals are endangering the forest that is crucial for the ecosystem’s balance. Thus the buildings we design have adobe structural walls and earthen plasters. Since the island is composed of mostly sandy soil two main jobs were given to us: to analyse the real conditions and availability of material to get the earth and fiber mixes right for the different functions; to train local labour to work with this material and to organize and optimise the production process.

The results were very positive not only because we accomplished the goals set for the construction but also, and maybe more importantly, because we could clearly observe that only after two weeks of training the locals were using raw earth (virtually inexistent in the island before we came) to solve their own problems. Another indicator of success was the subsequent creation of two adobe production facilities in the island that are now working at full capacity.

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49SERVICESProject DesignCompetition Umbria Gallery, Avigliano Umbro – ItályWith Cannatà & Fernandes. (Honorable Mention)

The program, for an Art Gallery, defined a multipurpose space, the partial refurbishing of and existing building as a B&B (the rest was to keep as a private house) and an “Open Air Exhibition Gallery”.

The gallery was the starting point. To ensure some security to the exposed works and to avoid the creation of a visual obstacle in front of the landscape, we proposed a trench like hole which could be organized in different paths, exhibitions or spectacles (resorting to prefabbed walls or roofing elements). It would simultaneously provide the necessary earth to produce all the adobes required for the creation of the other buildings. The adobe texture would be the unifying element to the whole complex. This material would allow for schools, associations and the community as a whole to participate in the building’s construction rendering it, from the very beginning, a place for social exchange, meeting and learning.In the tension zone between the multipurpose building and the B&B, we proposed a suspended roofing element built out of prefabbed and recycled materials (wood, cardboard, and plastic membranes). It serves as an arrival moment where the landscape is finally revealed and as a distribution space to the different areas of the full complex. A living fence of trees and bushes would protect the private dwelling from the visitors.The building’s structure would be made exclusively out of raw earth bricks (stabilized with lime in more sensitive areas) and shallow vaults (Catalan vaults) would be used as roofing. Lime plasters would be used in the interior of all exhibition spaces making them more appropriable by the artists and their works.

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Service area, Kitchen and technical spaces;

Bed&Breakfast

Multipurpose areas

Pre-existent private house

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Training is another one of the cooperative’s activities. It has two great advantages: It allows us to establish partnerships and collaborations (as teachers) with renowned professionals and/or researchers linked to alternative technologies and agroecology; It allows us to spread, in an efficient way, the knowledge that people need to manage their living environments.

“History has drawn fault lines dividing practice and theory, technique and expression, craftsman and artist, maker and user; modern society suffers from this historical inheritance. But the past life of craft and craftsmen also suggests ways of using tools, organizing work, and thinking about materials that remain alternative, viable proposals about how to conduct life with skill.” *Richard Sennett, in The Craftsman Yale University Press 2008.

We also organize workshops on subjects related to Apropreate Technologies and Agroecology. They are moments of intense learning and sharing, based fundamentally on the transition of theoretical know-how, process based know-how and practical know-how.The workshops are also ideal moments for the creation of networks or working groups.

So far, we’ve organized workshops on:*Building with earth;*Agroforestry;*Aerial lime plastering;*Construction of a Nubian vault;*Building a wind turbine.

We’re preparing, for a near future, workshops on:*Ecological sanitation;*green Roofs;*Building a CNC milling machine.

TRAINING

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59TRAININGBuilding with Earth workshopTeachers: Sítio

This was the first workshop that we organized. We were also trainers in the event. As a collective we have devoted much of our effort to research on building with raw earth, as it materializes much of our values.In collaboration with the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Aveiro, we obtained objective measurements of the resistance strength of adobes. This allowed us to be more ambitious on the subject of the workshop.It was integrated on the construction work of a small vaulted-shaped building that we had designed (Seed Bank in Mangualde - see chapter SERVICES).The workshop had two different and independent parts: introduction to building with earth –that included the making of prototype walls in different building techniques; Working in the structural phase of the adobe vault – including foundation detailing.It was another demonstration that it is easy and enriching to integrate learning with building construction activities.

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63TRAININGAgroforestry workshopTeacher: Ernst Gotsch

This workshop was taught by Ernst Gotsch, a swiss that now lives in Brazil for about 30 years. As a farmer/researcher he has dedicated all of his life to the development of an agricultural model known as Agroforestrey (or food forest).Agroforestry is a production method that proposes, not the creation of a new production environment, but that man, and the agricultural production from which he profits, are included in a forest environment. Agriculture then ceases to be agro-mining, draining resources and promoting the degradation of soil and dependancy on the application of chemical pollutants. It becomes a regenerative process with a large productive capacity of a wide range of food and forestry products. Promoting ecosystems that are increasingly fertile and abundant it can recover completely degraded soils within a short period of time.It is an agricultural practice of micro regional character, and therefore able to boost local and neighbourhood economies. Once you avoid all kinds of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, heavy machinery and labour-intensive tasks, this practice is fitting to small producers and ideal in a logic of self-sustainability.The method is, in its essence, an attempt to imitate nature. In nature most plants live in association with other species, which they need for a complete and healthy growth. These associations, or consortia, succeed in a dynamic and continuous process which is called Natural Succession. These are the driving forces that ensure the health of plants and soil.Ernst’s agriculture, rather than a critique of hegemonic models of agricultural production, is a proposal built on observation and on a deep respect for nature. This process is proof that it is perfectly possible to develop an agriculture that harmonizes man’s work with Nature’s processes, getting from her what it takes to live well.

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69TRAININGAerial Lime Plastering workshopTeacher: Fernando Cartaxo (Eng.)

By using aerial lime finishing which incorporates ancient knowledge and up to date research you can obtain results that largely overcome the performance of cement getting great environmental and esthetical qualities that render useless the use of any other finishing product (like paints). Engineer Fernando Cartaxo (founder and owner of Fradical) has devoted his time to do exactly that.This workshop’s main goal was to get the students familiarized with all the aerial lime’s potential. Especial attention was given to it’s amazing possibility to be used as a waterproof finishing - by adding an olive oil by-product to the mix – making this material a perfect allied for the earth builder. The workshop allowed for the students to have the ability to understand and apply this material.In addition to the transmission of theoretical information and a lot of practical tests on different types of finishing we plastered the adobe vault that we had built as a Seed Bank in Mangualde - see chapter SERVICES.

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73TRAININGBuilding an Adobe Nubian Vault workshopTeachers: Sítio

Invited by Centro da Terra Association, Sítio gave a workshop on building with adobe at Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologias da Universidade Nova (Almada). This workshop (one in a series of three – Theoretical workshop, Rammed earth workshop and adobe workshop) seeks not only to provide knowledge on the production of adobes but, mainly, the construction of a Nubian catenary vault. This allowed for a much deeper understanding of this material’s possibilities.

There are several techniques to build a vault most of them using formwork. In this particular case we built it using a method known as Nubian (for it was created in Nubia, a region located along the Nile in southern Egypt and northern Sudan). This age-old technique has been revived by the Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy in the 40’s. Its great advantage is that it renders useless all the wooden and/or metallic structures to be used as formwork allowing for cheaper and cleaner buildings. The method consists, basically, in laying the adobes on a certain angle so that structural stability is obtained even before the arches are closed and the mortar is dried.

The building was a small (about 1.5m by 2.5m and 1.8 tall) prototype but it was a very interesting experience because it was also a learning experience for Sítio. We managed to confirm and further comprehend some of the principals involved in building a Nubian vault

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77TRAININGBuilding a Wind turbine workshopTeachers: Jimmy Dowds and Miriam Sheerin

The workshop, taught by Eirbyte (IE), revolved around the construction of a 2.4m wind turbine. The model we built was designed by Hugh Piggott, who has dedicated a great deal of his life in researching and developing DIY wind turbines, achieving amazing results. The wind turbine we’ll work on at this workshop has an array of advantages that makes it very compatible with our ideals and objectives:*Being dependent on the power of the wind it can be virtually installed anywhere with good access to it, avoiding the need for special conditions (like a water course or a reservoir) to produce energy;*It was developed to be self-built using only simple and accessible tools and materials avoiding any specialization on the part of the builder;*It uses common materials, some natural and other recyclable making it very affordable;*It’s a local solution that contributes to the empowerment of individuals and communities;*It can (should) be built as a collective activity that has the potential to create bonds between people.

This was the first workshop in which the result was a functioning piece of hardware for energy production. Handling the wood, metal, electronics and other components in simple, appropriable and harmonic manner was very interesting and empowering.

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RESEARCH

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We see Sítio as a collective research and development platform for solutions in what we call appropriate technologies and/or Agroecology.The goal is to get objects, technologies or ways of acting (with a special focus on means of production) that can be appropriate, optimized and developed in a durable, ecological and economical way at a local level.This effort of contributing to the already long lists of these kinds of solution is impossible without the creation of partnerships with other entities, work groups or volunteer networking. We work with all these kinds of solution to get through the procedures (project, prototyping, beta version and final solutions) necessary for the creation of functional options than can indeed increase the quality in people’s lives. All are welcome to participate.All the researches being developed will be published on the web site.

Always open to new proposals, we have presently three main focuses:*Development of technical solutions for the creation of ecological, appropriate and autonomous housing units;*Development of the necessary elements to create a semi mechanized production of adobes on the building site;*Development of low tech and low cost automated tools for local production.

RESEARCH

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85RESEARCHEcological, appropriate and autonomous housing units

We’re aiming to be able, as soon as possible, to design and erect buildings that are simultaneously economically efficient, ecologically correct, technologically appropriate and socially just. To reach this goal we need to research and develop solutions adapted to the local realities we intervene in.At the moment, we’re working on Ecological, appropriate and autonomous housing units.

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Space

Interior finishing

Humid interior finishing

Structure

Thermal insulation

External finishing

Pavement

Humid pavement

Flat roof

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Element Description Phase

Lime or raw earth plaster

Lime or stabilized row earth

Catenary adobe vault

Natural fibre boards with clay or lime

Lime or green walls and roofs

Rammed earth

Tadellakt

Green Roof

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Sanitation

Black water

Black water

Grey water

Rain water collection

Energy

Electricity production

Water heating

Interior heating

Interior heating

Acclimatization

Geo-thermal energy

Ventilation

Solar energy

Solar energy

Solar energy

Solar energy

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BDry toilet

Bio-Sceptic tank

Bio-filter

Collection and Mineralization tank

Hugh Piggott’s wind turbine

Solar panel

Masonry stove

Radiant floor

Ground-coupled heat exchanger

Crossed ventilation

Winter garden

Tromb wall

Solar orientation

Calculation and management of shadows

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Solution proven by repetition in practice

Functioning prototype

Testing phase

Information collection and design phase

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Adobes are maybe the most interesting earth building technique for its amazing simplicity. Mixing the loam with your feet and using four small pieces of wood you can easily create the basic material for the structure of any building. It is ideal for self building and labour intensive situation. However, in certain situations an accelerated production rate and less labour are needed. So, we’re working on a kit that can easily be transported to a building site and that allows for a team of two to reach about 2500 adobes per day (in opposition to the 250 that three people can produce totally by hand – and feet). The kit consists of a sieve (Prototype 1.0) a mixer (for now a commercial one) and a peristaltic pump system specific to pump high viscosity fluids that allows us to pour the mix into molds for dozens of adobes (gang molds).

REASEARCHSemi mechanized adobe production

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1 Sieve (prototype 1.0)

2 Mixer (commercial)

3 Reservoir (project)

4 Peristaltic Pump (project)

5 Hose

6 Gang Mold

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Peristaltic Pump

1 Plywood plank

2 Motor

3 Compressive rollers

4 Motor

Sieve

1 Traction system

2 Variable mesh cylinder

3 Wooden structure

4 Motor

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95RESEARCHAutomated local production tools

The main goal of the research and development branch of Sítio is to obtain local means of production. Building is one of the main objectives but we’re extremely interested in food production, energy production, wood and other materials, processing and production and transformation tools. So, one of our projects (to which we’ve already created a working group) is the fabrication of a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) milling machine technically and economically accessible to build and operate. A CNC milling machine is something that requires a relatively complex knowledge on mechanics, electronics and programming skills but, like a 3D printer, it allows people to create (by subtraction) from a block of material, functional parts designed on a computer. It allows the production of complex wooden parts, gypsum moulds for metallic parts and cut, drill and sculpt all kinds of materials. Although it is a high tech tool we believe that it can tremendously expand the productive abilities of a community.

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1 Step-by-step motor

2 Linear bearings system

3 Transmission threaded rod

4 Milling tool

5 Material to carve

6 Support base

7 Bearings with V prefil

8 Iron T profile

DOCUMENTATION

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All the Sítio’s activities (services, training and research) plus the translation and/or compilation of external material, will be (in the realm of possibilities) published in the documentation section of the web site. Our goal is that all our interventions, projects and products may be openly replicated (and also adapted to concrete local situations) so that they can be tested, improved upon and used by all. The transition from a competition system, typical in the speculative market, to a cooperation system allows for a constant collective improvement of objects, techniques, technologies and ways of acting. The ultimate result is the improvement of all the intervenient life’s conditions.

We’re fully engaged in the open-source philosophy that has already proven its efficiency and consistency.

Small articles, videos and photo albums are already available on the web site. We’re also working on the translation and production of practical manuals on different subjects.

DOCUMENTATION

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The production of videos documenting some of our activities or instructional videos is something that has already started and that we intend to continue to develop.

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Videos on the Building a Wind Turbine Workshop. 5 ep's.

1 Blades: vimeo.com/501452422 Alternator I - vimeo.com/50346520 3 Alternator II - vimeo.com/516250094 The frame - vimeo.com/516186345 The end of a beginning - vimeo.com/53216471

Video on the Agroforestry workshop"Abundance" - vimeo.com/48481368

DOCUMENTATIONVideos

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For the kind of information that we intend to put out – detailed, transparent and practical – manuals are a great medium.

Editorial coordination of a building with adobes manual

105DOCUMENTATIONManuals

Translation of Hugh Piggott’s “Wind Turbine Recipe Book”

We’re now working in both the creation of our own material and in the translation and adaptation of pre-existing material.

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Article about the building process of the Banco de Sementes at Mangualde.

107DOCUMENTATIONArticles

On-line articles, simpler to produce and access, will be a privileged way to compile information.The development of building jobs, workshops and other projects will be published in a technical language that allows for the replication of those solutions.

Article about the construction of adobe Nubian Vaults.

Scientific coordination: Cooperativa SítioDesign and graphical production with: Dário Cannatà

PORTO 2012

www.sitiocoop.comsitiocoop@gmail.com+351 91 198 92 93

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