The first annual "World of Thin Shell Construction" gathering will be held June, 2004 in Lorane, Oregon.

This will be a gathering of people interested in all forms of alternative building primarily focused on Ferro Cement and Thin Shell structures. Everyone is welcome--builders, designers, homeowners, and people getting ready to jump in.

The keynote speaker will be Jim Kaslik, of Cloud Hidden Designs, a designer specializing in thin-shell concrete dome homes. His keynote speech will provide an overview of new materials and the latest techniques, as well as an overview of where the industry is headed.

Friday will include lectures and discussions by Nolan Scheid, Richard McCabe, Steve Kornher, and Donnie Shatzburg, as well as a video by Peter Epperson.

On Friday there will be an open tour of the Lorane underground home. Originally designed by Richard Britz and constructed by the homeowner, Bob Adams. The home is a combination of sculpted domes and PAHS umbrella insulation buried underground. This home will be undergoing a restoration by Steve Korhner of Flying Concrete.

There will be display tables to display your pictures and show & tell goodies. EVERYONE is encouraged to bring pictures of their projects and trade ideas. There will be a time for presentations of building methods. Please let me know if you need a slide projector or any other equipment. There will also be videos of different building techniques including Shotcrete Tank building and others.

Saturday will be a workshop of forming methods. Richard McCabe will be here and we will do a session on various spraying techniques. There will be a demonstration of the Lloyd Turner air form building system using simple Tyvek forms. We may also spray a small air form if there are enough participants who want to get their hands dirty. Steve Korhner is in the jungle for 3 weeks. When he returns, I expect to be able to confirm that he will talk about and demonstrate his door building methods as well as his light weight forming methods.

Sunday will be a tour of nearby sculpted homes. This will include the Scheid castle in Eugene and 2-3 other sculpted homes depending on the owner's willingness to participate.

Rustic camping at the site is OK. Also there are motel rooms available in nearby Cottage Grove, Oregon.

Please confirm your interest or intent to be here by completing the RSVP form. From the initial commitments I am receiving, this will be an exciting gathering with building professionals and first timers from across the USA and abroad. If the commitments continue to be strong in numbers, I will rent the Grange hall just down the street.

Best Regards,

Nolan Scheid

top