RE: [papercreters] Ed Conley - Project Photos / Followup Mail

I did not have that impression the first time I read that comment but can see how you would. Perhaps he was implying that he should have done a better job making his blocks. I usually give people the benefit of the doubt and willl in this case because of all he has gone through with his project. Discouragement is very hard to take in life and in my opinion he is on overload. I came into this story late so am not sure why his blocks would have molded. I made blocks all summer and right up until it was too cold, stacked them all winter, some for 2 winters and they just seemed to get better as they aged. I wasn't even careful about keeping them up off the ground. Anyway, the sharing of Ed's experience is a valuable thing and I'm thankful for the interchange of ideas is this group.

Sincerely, Judith
Visit my papercrete website at www.judith-l-williams.com.

"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark. Professionals, on the other hand, built the Titanic." Author unknown.

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To: papercreters@yahoogroups.com
From: gero.bazant@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:55:50 +0200
Subject: Re: [papercreters] Ed Conley - Project Photos / Followup Mail

There's one sentence that just jumped right into my face:

"I still believe papercrete is a viable product and worthy of further development when properly manufactured blocks are used, and built with proven methods, not some renegade, stubborn insistence of opinion based on buildings completed in areas not subject to building codes or bank financing."

In a way he's saying that our attempts to learn from each other aren't sufficient -- more so, the current state of knowledge in how to manufacture PC blocks is insufficient to build a structure at all? This is rather discouraging. Or was he referring to the advice he personally received?

Would anybody with some experience comment on this?

Thanks,

Gero

On Tue, Jul 8, 2008 at 04:42, Mikey Sklar <sklarm-yahoo@screwdecaf.cx> wrote:

<snip>

Mikey,

Sorry for the delayed response, but I just returned from Arizona and am trying to catch up on email.

Money is the main problem, however; the prospect of having to continually repair the defective papercrete is daunting. Even if I had an extra $10,000 , I would still be strapped since I still have to repay personal loans made to me to keep the project going.

True, I could have fixed the electrical defects, but judging the slow response and lack of interest on the part of the people that were supposed to finish the job, could have been several weeks away. Meantime, my building loan is delinquent and now showing up on my credit report and would only accumulate more interest until I got a final certification. Then there were several finish details that were either poorly done or not finished that would be required for the bank to grant the final funding.

Quite frankly, I lost heart in the entire matter especially considering the physical pain I experience all day and the frustration of not having any help in completing things. Really a catch 22 since no money would be available until completion, yet no work could be done without money. I did what I could in my limited capacity to complete things, but became very frustrated when many of my tools were missing and at one point couldn't even measure things, or cut materials.

I would show up early in the morning waiting for the promised help, only to sit all day with no word from anyone,and occasionally someone would show up when I was burned out and ready to go home.

So, in spite of attempting to remain present, the entire state of affairs chipped away at my patience and desire to continue.

It is truly a tragic outcome, since it wasn't just about me having a house, but meant to be a showpiece for papercrete. Unfortunately it will probably be an example of a well intended but poorly executed project subject to the opportunism of several people.

I still believe papercrete is a viable product and worthy of further development when properly manufactured blocks are used, and built with proven methods, not some renegade, stubborn insistence of opinion based on buildings completed in areas not subject to building codes or bank financing.

Tragically, it will now be very hard for someone to obtain a conventional loan for a similar project and will reduce the likelihood of many lower income people the chance for home ownership.

I hope that my mistakes will be a catalyst for standardization and some sort of association, certification or something to assure quality control of products and methods used in the future.

As for me,I will take my lumps, to the tune of over $30,000 in personal loss not to mention the potential humiliation and ridicule coming from the traditional building industry, and the loss of a few friends.

For now, I will be relegated to renting, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Thanks again for your support and concerns.

Ed  

<snip>

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