Earthship Belgium vzw

December 4, 2010 (updated December 28, 2010)- When building with tires, many practical issues turn up.

Based on personal experience and experience of others I would like to present an overview on how best to proceed. All this in the form of some practical tips.

Good advance planning

A good advance planning is essential when you start working with tires. Here are some things to take into account.

Tires:

• Find out in advance how many tires you need and where to get them.
• Make sure, well in advance, you make contact with the tire dealer.
• Make clear agreements on what sizes (see below) and how many tires you need.
• Make clear arrangements for transportation and delivery of tires (do it yourself or have it done).
• Make arrangements to assure you that your excess tires are taken back.

Working with volunteer builders:

• Give plenty of time to publicize the project and the dates of building (if needed ask help from national earthship organization).
• Try to estimate how many weeks the tire work will take (count that a team of 2 inexperienced pounders do 50 tires on average in the first week, 5 days of actual work).
• Try to arrange volunteers well in advance to help build.
• Try to arrange a few key builders to participate the entire tire building period.
• To build tire walls it is better to work with larger teams (minimum of 10 or more).
• Provide basic facilities for the volunteers: toilet, wash basin, room for sleeping (or camping), shelter for dining, food.

Example of a do it yourself dining area in Sweden
Picture: Henk Huisman

Tools:

• Each team "pounders" (2 people) need a sledge hammer, a shovel and a level.
• 1 wheelbarrow per 2 teams is sufficient, provided that the soil priorly is strategically placed (see below).
• 1 pick axe per 2 teams should do.
• The support team (2 people) needs two shovels and a wheelbarrow.
• Long (semi)-transparent water hose.