Historical Turf Construction - Daniel Postma - BS056

Daniel Postma is  natural builder who has come to it from an interesting background - Archeology. Daniel is a specialist in traditional turf construction and learnt by doing as an experimental archaeologist.

Archaeo Build specialises in the interaction between past and present forms of natural building. We bring together skills and understanding from archaeology, vernacular building conservation and modern-day natural building.

It's fascinating to learn the intricacies about this seemingly very basic way of building. Then learning the reasons for it's demise!

Links

• ACAN Straw - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4eR0RiVVR4
• ESBG UK -  https://strawbalebuildinguk.com/european-strawbale-gathering-esbg-sbuk-webinar-2021
• I'm a natural builder but... original idea by The Guilty Feminist - https://guiltyfeminist.com
• Scotland's Rural Past - http://scotlandsruralpast.org.uk 
• Earth Building UK and Ireland - www.ebuki.co
• Earthen Empire Project - https://www.ed.ac.uk/history-classics-archaeology/research/about/research-projects/earthen-empire 
• Hutting in Scotland - www.thousandhuts.org

Turf workshops in Fife (7-10 September 2021):

• Return of the Turf (basics and arch) - https://falklandestate.co.uk/product/building-bridges-a-turf-based-approach-to-natural-building-7th-8th-september-2021
• Test and Turf (single and double leaf) - https://falklandestate.co.uk/product/building-bridges-a-turf-based-approach-to-natural-building-9th-10th-september-2021 

Turf documentaries:

• Daniel's reconstruction - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlQew66X7qJWVVg1BxEeP5_6r4nuoq7ds 
• Construir con terrón - https://youtu.be/WpvXRpFs4pw 
• Les Chipayas peuple de l'eau - www.dailymotion.com/video/x72k4y9

Open access reading:

• Parkin, S.J. & W.P. Adderley 2017. The Past Ubiquity and Environment of the Lost Earth Buildings of Scotland. Hum Ecol 45, 569–583. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-017-9931-4
• Sigurðardóttir, S. 2008. Building with Turf. Translated by N.M. Brown. English version by N.M. Brown. Skagafjörður Heritage Museum Booklet, IX. Skagafjörður Heritage Museum. http://bit.ly/2aMfSS3.
• Walker, B. 2006. Scottish Turf Construction. Technical Advice Note 30. Edinburgh: Historic Scotland. http://issuu.com/hspubs/docs/tan-30---scottish-turf-construction--june-06--plu-?e=0

Places to visit: 

• Highland Folk Museum - www.highlifehighland.com/highlandfolkmuseum
• Glencoe Visitor Centre (under construction) - www.nts.org.uk/s