CORDWOOD Cordwood is another construction strategy which utilizes ample local resources to develop a strong, long lasting, and durable structure. This strategy is found across the globe, much like Wattle and Daub, but with various adaptations and evolutions; it is primarily found throughout Europe, parts of Asia, Central America, North America, and South Africa. 075 The most recognized and studied cordwood strategies are found in Poland, the United States, and Canada. 076 Construction of a cordwood structure involves laying pieces of wood, either split or logs, crosswise and infilled with a mortar often consisting of lime and clay. This construction method has many variations: one style of construction lays logs or wood “bricks” perpendicular to the face of the wall; another method installs log spacers parallel to the wall face between perpendicular layers of wood “brick.” Often these walls are plastered over to protect the materials from environmental damage. 077 Polish cordwood construction was usually plastered over with a smooth finish while U.S. and Canadian cordwood construction often had the debarked log protruding about an inch from the exterior plaster finish. Once coated with plaster, cordwood walls are extremely thick, ranging 20 to 25 inches. 078
044 | Old Cordwood Barn, Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan HISTORY OF SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES
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