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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Research building methods
   • Research appropriate building methods to decide which methods will be appropriate for the project
   • Review the availability of materials locally and their suitability for the chosen method
   • Consult experts and tradespeople to confirm suitability of chosen building method and materials
2. Prepare for the building project
   • Collect materials on site
   • Obtain labour support and engage experts where necessary
   • Clear the site and mark out the area
3. Build with earth, straw and reclaimed materials
   • Using the chosen method, commence building the structure
   • Use reclaimed materials where possible and ensure that they are structurally suitable
   • Use natural finishes and treatments where possible and appropriate
4. Limit and re-use surplus and waste materials
   • Ensure that the surplus or waste materials are stockpiled or stored for future re-use where possible
   • Demonstrate appropriate uses for all available materials and share and swap with other projects where possible
   • Limit the amount of waste material removed from the site and ensure that it goes to a new use rather than to landfill wherever possible
5. Check quality of work and clean-up site
   • Inspect quality of finished works and ensure the standard of the finished built structure is appropriate to the permaculture design drawings and specifications
   • Clean up debris from structure and site
   • Clean and store tools and equipment

Range Statement

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Performance Evidence

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

research building methods

prepare for the building project

build with earth, straw and/or reclaimed materials

limit and re-use surplus and waste materials

ensure the standard of the finished built structure is appropriate to the permaculture design

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles regarding structures and the built environment

Building methods, such as

mud brick

straw bale

cobb & light earth

rammed earth (Pise)

wattle and daub

stabilised/compressed earth brick

earth ship

aerated concrete

compressed paper and timber fibres

wool brick

air dried timber

structural issues

planning issues

properties of materials and suitability of local soils and timbers for building uses

environmental, logistical and safety factors, such as:

issues related to harvesting and milling of local timbers

possible contaminants in or on materials

weight and size of materials and their transport to the site

reclaimed materials, such as:

commercial timber off-cuts and wastes

demolition materials (timbers, windows and doors, plumbing fittings, roofing materials, bricks and other masonry items)

railway sleepers, telegraph poles, bridge timbers and other heavy reclaimed timbers

metal mesh and grill-work (fridge and oven shelves, wire baskets, fence panels, bed frames and bases, chicken wire, aviary mesh, pig/dog wire and other wire mesh products in small or large quantities)

reinforcing mesh and rods, trench mesh

pallets and packaging crates

shipping containers, ex-transport carriages, old cars, trailers and caravans

mirrors

bottles (glass and plastic)

ceramics and flower pots

car & truck tyres, windscreens, panels and seats

machinery parts

drums and cans

palings and weatherboards

reclaimed concrete

typical permaculture structures, such as

garden structures and features

fences and trellising

animal housing and shelters

seating and garden walls

retaining walls and small dam walls (including observing all regulatory conditions)

sheds or small outbuildings (including observing all regulatory conditions)

components of houses or other buildings ((including observing all regulatory conditions and work with professionals on larger structures)

the correct use of hand and power tools and other work health and safety requirements associated with installing structures and features

techniques for working with reclaimed materials such as de-nailing, stripping old paint, dressing timber

WHS considerations associated with recycled materials such as identification of lead paint, broken glass, rusty metal, chemically treated materials

comparative environmental implications associated with excavation and construction activity

safe lifting and transporting techniques

appropriate use of personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE)

appropriate use and installation of safety signs and barriers

site access points

implication of alteration to water flow during and after construction

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