We began construction that spring, with the intention that the community would collectively play the role of contractor and laborers, with several skilled carpenters running the show at the site. Two natural building workshops were held during that period, one on timber framing, and one on strawbale construction. Since then, work has proceeded at a steady but slower pace. In the spring of 1998 we conducted a workshop in mud plasters, and plastered the outside of the building. All the workshops have been conducted by visiting experts.
Broad patterns seem to be emerging.
Although we acquired four new members since our inception, we have lost as many. The pressures of acting as developers as well as communitarians, and peoples personal needs, take their toll. In our optimism and naivete we thought we could develop the site ourselves to keep cost down, with all members contributing equally.