Help with clay plaster in straw bale house near Copenhagen, Denmark

Details

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  Description

  I'm Martin - a strawbale builder
  
  I have hosted quite a lot, especially people interested in natural building, who are happy to help to complete my 2nd straw bale building.
  
  I got the idea to build a natural building several years ago, starting with no experience but a lot of energy, and here I am now with 2 houses.
  
  I speak a variety of languages, and I love to explore other languages than English. Sometimes friends join to help and have a good time.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  DIY and building projects

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Straw bale building is easy, and this is a great opportunity to develop skills in natural building whilst exploring Copenhagen.
  
  Straw bale houses are ideal. Easy and cheap to build while putting minimum pressure on the environment. It is also a venture into debt free living and really getting close to natures own building blocks: Straw, clay, sand, gravel, timber and lime.
  
  Also many travellers are interested in Scandinavian living and not least 'hygge', which we guarantee with plenty of coffee, cakes, red wine, barbecues.... and of course the obligatory candlelight!

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  Help

  Currently we have one strawbale building which Martin built 2017/2018 with help from a few volunteers.
  
  The project for this summer is to build a second, smaller building - this time a timber framed rather than 'Nebraska' style (dont know what that is? Come learn with us!).
  
  We have constructed the plinth foundation and are finishing the timber frame. Next is to infill it with straw and then spend many happy moments 'mud dancing' to make the cob to plaster the walls with
  
  Particularly helpful would be eco building experience, but we value energy and fun above all others! We try to mainly use recycled materials and so sometimes have to adapt and develop our plans to fit with what we have available.
  
  Once the building has been completed we are going to repurpose the many windows that we have collected and make a conservatory (Danes call it a Winter Garden) which will link the two buildings, and make the most of the winter sun.
  
  There is also an opportunity of walking our two lovely dogs and helping with the cooking, but the main job is an extra pair of hands for both fun and dirty work (although another pair of hands in the washing up bowl after dinner would also make us very happy!)
  
  We do not demand more of you than you want or can do, but we hope that you come with a curious and yes-we-can attitude.
  
  We would like to work with you five days a week. We anticipate starting work at around 10am.
  
  We would prefer it if you had suitable workshoes, or at least a strong commitment to be very careful of your toes! We have plenty of workgloves.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  Danish: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  German: Intermediate
  Russian: Intermediate
  French: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  Russian, German, French and Spanish. Swedish, Norwegian.
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  Accommodation

  What will eventually be a little oasis of green, permaculture-based living in the suburbs of Copenhagen is at the moment a building site.
  
  The amenities are basic so volunteers should definitely be the adventurous types!
  
  There is currently no electricity as our solar panels are yet to be installed. When they are in place there will be electricity available to charge phones. There is no refrigerator - it works for us as we are mostly vegetarian, and a lot of the time eat vegan, but it might make a big difference to you so its best to be warned!
  
  Volunteers will stay in the new house. It is really suited to one person - if you are two, you will need to like each other in advance
  
  I'm mostly vegetarian. There will be food, when we are working, and the guests are always welcome to eat what there is.
  
  If you have any worries or concerns whilst you are here please, please feel able to tell us - Workaway is supposed to be fun! :)

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  What else ...

  We live 15 minutes walking from a train station from which you can get a direct train into central Copenhagen. It takes about 15mins and a single journey with a travel card it is approx €2. Altenatively you can cycle in, all on designated cycle paths (naturally, this is Copenhagen - the cycle capital of the world!) which takes about 35mins.
  
  Copenhagen speaks for itself. It's full of history and culture, bars and museums. You will not starve when it comes to going out and about.
  
  You can even go hunting for the Six Forgotten Giants, huge wooden sculptures created by local artist from recycled wood and hidden in the forests which ring part of Copenhagen and are 5 mins walk from the house.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  I live on 12v from solar

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Dog friendly place :)

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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