Starting an Eco Resort
Starting an Eco Resort photo story
Once the tree comes down “Chops” the master tree cutter with a steady hand starts cutting to the lengths required with his chain saw.
I met a man in Portsmouth market who told me of two young Americans who wanted to build a tree house because they could not bear to clear the woods for a house. After trying some ideas they came down from the treetops & built on the ground. When we arrived we were up in the trees too. None of our trees were big enough for houses so we built a different kind tree house.
The resort sits inside the old Everton Hall Estate. This was never used for housing but as a lime & bay plantation. The only roads that ran throughout were the hand laid stone tracks used for wagons. We had to cut an access road. The day came for the trees to come down. We were very upset at the loss of each one. The local children consoled us as we covered our ears. So sad.
All who know in the local community advised that the trees have to be fallen “between the moons”. This is the day after the full moon until the last day before the new moon appears. The days are very precise. This is because the sap is low in the roots at this time, which will prevent the wood being infested and eaten by insects.
Storing and Drying the Wood
Once the planking was cut it was stacked and stored to dry in a make shift shed on site. It was kept dry with a plenty of through air. We turned the wood every 2 weeks ensure it dried flat. From our experience it needs at least 3 to 4 months. We did lay some earlier but it continued to shrink.
The Foundations
We used whole trees sunk into the rock as the foundation poles. The trees were soaked in diesel & garlic to prevent rotting and termite attack. A Venezuelan architect who has been building under similar conditions for 50 years gave this tip to us.
The platform for the floor is made up of 6” X 8” hard wood beams cut by chain saw from fallen trees.
3 Hexagonal and the deck
Foundation Under View
Building the House Frame
All the uprights and beams are tree trunks with their bark removed. This is such a beautiful, romantic way to build BUT also very difficult and time consuming. We did not have one straight edge to work with. Each piece of wood had to be hand carved to fit the tree trunks to complete this amazing jigsaw house.
The trees standing in the center of the 3 hexagons are over 30 feet tall. Running from the tip of the roof down in to the foundations.
Bell is looking up at Kevin thinking ” Hey Crazy Man, where’s my bed going to be!”
Tree Trunk Structure
Phew! It works.
This is a great stage. To see all the planning, changing of plans, theories and dreams come together. Nobody on site has built a project like this before. Believe us when we say a there are days when a 2″ x 4″ ready cut pine looks real fine.
The structure is very, very solid. We sit on a volcanic mountain that has regular earth quakes but we do not move when there is a rumble.
The Roof
The roof is also whole small tree trunks attached together with nuts & bolts and finished with hand-made 3/4″ rope.
Why we chose Galvalume Roofing paint free roofing
Galvalume Roofing: Places First, Wins Green Metal
We needed the roof to fulfill 5 main criteria:Long lasting, corrosion proof and waterproof, Lightweight, Maximum heat reflection, Toxic free for rainwater harvesting, Available here in Dominica
Galvalume is sheet steel coated with 55% aluminum and 45% zinc alloy. This makes it durable and ensures it will not corrode for the life of the product. Even though the manufacturer promises the paint is not toxic and will not peel we chose the untreated finish so as not to contaminate our water.
When the sun shines on our roof our neighbours tell us “It’s like a jewel in the trees”.
Walls. What walls?
The lee side of the house is sheltered from the rain. We wanted to be able to have it completely open and quickly closed. Each section is made from white cedar panels that form louvres. The windward side has 50%/50% full red cedar panels and louvres. We closed it up after our first big thunder storm.
What is your projected date for move in, and what am’t of money is required up front for a one bedroom cottage? When would it be ready by?
thankyou
Hello Amy,
Thanks for passing by. I will reply by email soon, but to answer your questions here …
We are ready to go now. The resort is open and renting.
Time for move in/completion is 3 months.
We take a $20,000 deposit and then once the foundations and side beams are in place, we ask for a further $20,000. Once we then finish the roof and floor a further 10,000 is required. Once building is ready to move in you then pay the balance and receive ownership.
Hi! Do you have site plans showing the layout of the resort and the postitioning of the cottages? I will be visiting family in Dominica in October, how can I arrange a tour of the property? Any info appreciated, thanks!
Hello Jill,
Thanks for passing by.
To answer your questions one by one.
Yes we have a site map. I will send via email.
I will happily arrange to pick you up or I can meet you at the resort in October. Keep in touch and come and see a wonderful part of Dominica. Our telephone number is 1 767 616 8903 to speak directly.
Manicou Webmaster