Eastwood Elementary School Tool Shed
Oberlin, Ohio
This straw-bale tool shed is located next to a community garden at an elementary school. HarvestBuild designed the building, and led a number of volunteer work sessions with students and members of the community during its construction. The tool shed features a salvaged stone foundation, post-and-beam frame with our baling-on-the-edge exterior straw-bale wall system, recycled slate roof, and earth and lime plasters.
Testimonial
"Through Mark's efforts at Eastwood Elementary School, we constructed an elegant 8 ft. x 12 ft. straw-bale tool shed that utilized recycled materials—a salvaged sandstone foundation from a former Oberlin College classroom building, and recycled roofing slate from a local church. Mark carried us through every step of the process, from site preparation and materials recommendations to engineering and construction. He effectively coordinated a wide range of age groups throughout the project, including professional contractors and parents, Oberlin College students, and K-2 elementary school children. In the end, we involved over 250 people in the construction of the project. Throughout the process, Mark made basic straw-bale building techniques simple for everyone. He brought a mix of competence and dedication and a great sense of humor to the project."
"In addition to providing space for storing tools, the tool shed tells a story about the origins of local materials, the possibilities for utilizing salvaged and recycled materials, and the power of a diverse community working together toward a common goal."