Workshop: Constructed Wetland Build & Plant - Feb 2010

The workshop to complete a constructed wetland system on the Riverbend farm, near the InSynch Training Centre to recycle the grey and blackwater coming from the cottage.
The workshop was held on the 20th February 2010.



Maria & Porcia preparing the outlet pipe.


Yes Maria... that is the wetland....^%#%@@


Packing in the layers of stone.

Brare Rabbit..?

"Get a move on guys... I need to flush the toilet tonight!!!!"

"Two Beers for me thanx!!"

It seems you have broken a sweat Maria... Gothard will be impressed.

Grinning Bear - Mike (from Green Free Pools).

Discussing the finer details of Blackwater management...

Mike dancing with a piece of corrugated iron... Boom Boom!!

Organic compost being spread, just before the planting begins.

Luke & Liam adding their strength and advice... thanx Guys!!

Nearly ready for the plants..

The models have arrived.

Team photo at the end of a busy, fun and fruitfull day!!!

All we need do now, is final connect the septic tank diversion pipe, allow the Phragmites's (common reed) roots to grow a little, build up a diversity of effective and friendly microorganisms and wallah.... we have a nature friendly, easy to mantain black and grey water recycling plant in our back yard.

Thanx, everyone for you help!

Alastair Armstrong

InSynch Sustainable Technologies (Pty) Ltd

info@insynch.co.za

Natural Paint & Plaster Course - November 2009

WE did another of the very popular Natural Paint & Plaster courses at the InSynch Training Centre (ITC) in Lanseria, South Africa on 21 November 2009.
Mostly fun and lost of learning and practicing new skills and techniques was done by all that attended.
Start spreading the message... speaking directly to the industry professionals that attended (architects and interior designers).

For more info:
info@insynch.co.za


Two well known architects get their hands dirty, mixing up the fibre to go into the plaster.
PS: you will have to ask them what exactly kind of fibre it was.. phooie!


Some volumteers from the local Bathabile project - learning how to plaster.
The Bathabile Project is the local community and parents building a straw bale classroom at the Bathabile School.

Justin, a site manager and rammed earth expert from InSynch & EarthWorx Construction... tests his skills.

Niko Knigge, Bathabile Project Manager.

Checking on our progress, I suppose??


Krynauw, mixing a Quark (Sour Milk) paint.


Mother (Sonia) and daughter (Aimee) having some fun with the quark based paints.

Sonia is co-founder, director and trainer with InSynch Sustainable Technologies (Pty) Ltd.

Group Photo...

What a stunning day and time for a sundowner at the InSynch Training Centre (ITC).

See you all soon.

Alastair Armstrong

info@insynch.co.za

Past Cob Building & Solar Power Courses 2008/2009

These courses were presented at the InSynch Training Centre (IST) in Lanseria Jhb/Pta, Gauteng, South Africa by InSynch Sustainable Technologies (Pty) Ltd.

On the Solar Power Course, Solar Electric (PV) and Outback Power systems with Wind Turbines and various Solar Hot Water systems were demonstrated.

Thank you to AM Solar for the equipment and assistance withthe Solar Power and Renewable Energy course

The Cob Building course was done on the Riverbend Cob Guest House.

Straw Bale & Building Course - 27 Feb 2010

Straw Bale Building Course presented at InSynch Training Centre (ITC) in February 2010 in Lanseria Jhb/Pta, Gauteng, South Africa by Alastair & Sonia Armstrong from InSynch.

Students built a straw bale bedroom onto a straw bale cottage on the farm at the centre.
Next is the Natural Paint and Plaster course which will teach the students the next step in the straw bale building process and the harder part... the plastering... Hope to see you all there!!!

AlastairA
(alastair@insynch.co.za )

Straw Bale & Natural Building Course - Sept2009

Straw Bale building course presented by Alastair Armstrong from InSynch Sustainable Technologies (Pty) Ltd and EarthWorx Construction at the InSynch Training Centre in Lanseria Jhb/Pta, South Africa.

The students built a small bedroom onto an existing straw bale building on River Bend Farm, which is in the Rhenosterspruit Nature Reserve.