Progress on Katymac's 'Eco' Nursery

[Katymac]

Well we have had a bad week after seeing an architect - but we seem to be coming through it.

I am talking to Amazon Nails about using straw bales for externbal insulation - which is very exciting

Unfortunatley solar panels and rainwater harvesting are put on hold until funds allow - & they are relatively easy to retrofit

Marmoleum has come in far above budget but I think it's worth using anyway.

I've been told about recycled uPVC windows but I haven't found any (yet)

And the news on out highways problems is good.....a new "rule" coming in in March called "A Manual for streets" should help

There is a floorplan in my profile & I'm reasonably good at taking critisim.......any thoughts??

My grin isn't quite so wide - but at least I'm not giving up (atm)

I'm feeling the stress a bit - but I might be getting a cold

What about softwood framed windows from sustainable sources. Glad to hear you are back on track .

I think that's what I will use

It fits better with the straw bales

Loving the straw bale idea

Yep me too

I might announce it on MN & see if anyone wants to come & help - it sounds fun

Ooh a straw baling party weekend .

Not lager & pizza - but real ale & ......lentils

Oh well bugger that then!

Don't worry Skribble

It will be a big barbque - with lots of lovely stuff

Homemade bread
Homemade chicken nuggets
Homemade Pizza
Fruit mess
Chocolate mousse

Lots of music & fun

At least that's what I'm planned......I'm not a "knit your own Lentil" earth mother type

(don't know what I'm doing in the Environmental section)

I'll bring the yakks milk then will I?

Yukk....Yakk??

Yaks Milk

I'm still not drinking in....maybe we could add it to the Lime render?

Ok I will just bring coke, whiskey, vodka and fruit shoots them .

No how no way.....fruit shoots tut tut That's worse than Yak's milk - can't we give the kids vodka?

HI katymac, what was bad about the architect? Or are the bad week and seeing the architect not related?

Btw the train from me to Kings Cross goes past Sarah Wigglesworth's 'straw bale' house.

He suggested that my renovation would cost £240K rather than the £100K that I have

I think he was a very hig spec residential architect

I need a low spec utility commercial type architect...& I can't find one

Oh bum. Will ask nice architect friend who is into Bill Dunster and the like. I'm guessing you alreayd asked the RIBA CLient Advisory Service?

Got a list of 6 very large practices

Very frightening

I'm talking to amazon nails atm - they seem lovely

Thanks for the offer - I do need proper help

have emailed friedn, we'll see what he says. Btw, are you planning to use the architect to do drawings then hand them over to a contracotr (design and build I think it's called - fgs, I've only worked for archiects for 8 years ) or to oversee the building works too? Maybe your ideal candidate would be someone young and keen, setting up on their own, wanting a first project to get their teeth into... Rather than a large practice for whom you're just a small project.

And had a look at amazon nails website - they do look v v nice. Where I work is run by women and is v v nice - coincidence?

That's what I though - even someone still at college

Amazon nails do design & build (ie they do both) or design or build - but they haven't got back to me yet

If they don't want to help - I may have to give up as they really know their stuff

NOOO Don't give up! Will be bakck in touch isn a few dyas. Keep drinking the yak's milk, it's v good for you.