Recent Progress on Long Lao Mai Eco-Bungalow
Several months have passed since our last big group of volunteers has graced us with their hard work and enthusiasm. However, work still continues as the organic structure of the clay bungalow hardens, heals, and dries to become what it will in the next year. Our Eco-Bungalow initiative with the village of Long Lao Mai is the first of its kind. We learn as we go through trial and error, compromise and understanding of nature. One thing we discovered is that the mud walls need at least 6 months to dry before we can plaster over them. This is even longer for the walls inside the bungalow as they have less exposure to moving air. We learned the hard way! Motivated to complete the work, we had plastered the walls not realizing they were not completely dry yet. In the following months, when the walls did dry and shrink, there was a gap between the wall and the plaster. This caused the plaster to fall off! This triggered a call to our adobe consultant in Thailand…. Non to the rescue!!
Over the hot dry season, we had the pleasure of solidifying a relationship with the wonderful adobe building expert, Ms. Non of BAANDIN.ORG. During this time we have had a trickle of volunteers here and there working with Non during her two separate visits (April & June 2013). Part of Non’s charm is her ability to unite the village and the volunteers to work together. During her time in the village, many villagers came out to help continue the progress.
Continue reading to discover details of the progress made….
April in Long Lao Mai is hot, humid, and village life continues to the spectacular musical songs of the male cicadas. We called on Non because the plastering on the eco-bungalows were falling off and we didn’t know what best to do or even if we should do anything yet! With the help of some volunteers from WORLD VOLUNTEER as well as the villagers, the team proceeded to kick it into gear! In April, we managed to install the foundation and stand to hold the water tank which will be the water supply for the bungalow. They extended the outdoor shower walls using bamboo so that guests could enjoy the privacy of an outdoor shower. The shower floor was also improved and made nicer with some decorative touches. The sides of the foundation were finished with decorative rocks. And the drainage for the bungalows was improved.
There was also the question of the big open pit from where dirt was sourced to build the bungalow walls. What would we do with that big pit? At one point, we considered turning it into a fish pond. That idea quickly gave way to something simpler…. The villagers conferred and suggested the construction of a shelter. This would serve as a place to just lounge or could also be where guests would be served their meals. We purchased materials for them and they quickly built a bamboo shelter. Very beautiful and very organic and very nicely coupled to the mud bungalow beside it!
Long Lao Mai in June – Plastering AGAIN!!
Non returned to us again in June of this year in order to complete the plastering…. The walls would be dry enough by then. This time, she had two eager volunteers from off the streets of Luang Prabang, two Tiger Trail guides, and a Fair Trek intern. Naturally the villagers eagerly joined in! In the 10 days that our super adobe consultant was here, plastering, plastering, plastering was the name of the game! Non also found time to make the interior cuter with additions of hand made decorations and plastering and painting the bed stands.
Going Forward….
Our next steps include the following considerations: finishing the floors, interior design, install of the water tank and testing the water supply and pressure, finding a landscape architect, training the villagers who will service the bungalow, furnishing the interior, installing more light fixtures…