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I had a chance to tour a hand sculpted (no airform used) ferrocement house in the Pahoa area recently and am happy to report that it appears they are suited to this climate. The owner is happy with the house and would not go back to stick built houses. He reports no leaks and a perpetually cool temperature (probably due to large thermal mass)regardless of weather. He said if anything sometimes it is too cool. The main question for me has always been will the thing leak. The answer is no...it won't leak if done right. The owner of Pacific Gunite (does mainly ferro water tanks,pools etc.) in Mt.view says if concrete weren't water proof(able) he would be out of business.
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I believe it was first used (and still is) for barges and boats.
Gordon J Tilley
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LOL @ the term "stick built houses"
[
] wish I was lifting sticks all day... cuz these 2x6 trusses are heavy as crap....lol
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The Three Little Pigs had a message to deliver.....
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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It was roundy curvy but I wouldn't call it a dome. To me a dome is a half sphere. The shape you'd get if you cut a ball in half.But this home was round with vertical walls and a curved (commonly called "domed") roof. It is similar in appearance to a yurt. I don't think that yurt shape is asthetically pleasing but ferrocement allows for a wild range of shape possibilities. I am particularly inspired by the work of Mexican architect Javier Senosiain. A Google image search shows some of his beautiful homes. I have been using modeling clay to create a scale model of the ferrocement house I plan to build. Messy and fun!
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the roof has to either be arched- domed or barrel vault , or folded plate which is way more complicated
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There is also a neat looking ferro cement house in HB. They put crystals in the top that appear as diffused light inside. Kinda cool.
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Can you give the exact location of that Hawaiian Beaches house? Visible from the road?
I can't reveal the location of the house I've seen. It was shown to me as a favor and the owner would probably not want his house location known. It is not visible from the road anyway.
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Let me think because it was about 3-4 years ago - it is on one Puni streets right after Da Store. You can see it from the street - it also has a ferro cement wall in front - 2 story house. Pie Shaped lot I think.
I'll call the person who used to live there to see if she can give me better directions.
