THE PRODUCT

THE BRICK

Soil cement ratio - 8:1
Dimensions – 290 x 200 x 95
Appearance – The dry bricks are a light earthy pink colour

Properties of the finished product
- A natural, non toxic, fireproof, long lasting product.
- Excellent thermal properties
- Solid construction.
- A quiet internal environment.
- Allows simple construction methods with inexpensive tools.
- Long lasting and low maintenance
- Easily repairable

Soil Preparation
Initially a small tiller was used to breaking up the soil before sifting and for mixing the soil cement mix in a boxed area, sized to hold enough soil for one bag of cement. The tilling was continued as the water was added. This system worked well but sometimes the crew preferred to work without the noise and smell of machinery. At these times a system of layering soil cement and raking was used. This also worked well. But a final tilling was needed while the mix was sprayed with water.
The soil mix was then shovelled into barrows while, again, being sprayed with water.

Pressing the brick
We had presses made up to the size 200mm wide, 95mm high, 290 mm long.
We preferred to work the hand presses as it was less stressful than working with machinery and we had enough people to do it that way.
Pam also considered preferable for learners to work hands on with the brick to understand by touch, and sight the difference between a good mix and not so good. The crew also could easily tell if a brick was well pressed and could repress it if necessary.

THE HOUSE

Low Cost, Long Term and Healthy Housing.
This is the goal shared by many that motivates this project. The benefits of achieving this goal are many and will continue to grow.