Stem Walls Are Done

Stem Walls are done using new rock-face clay bricks, recycled stock clay bricks and some maxi bricks.
Due to the width of the cob wall at the bottom (560cm), the stem walls have to be wide enough to support them.

Thus we opted for building up the stems with single brick lines on the outside & insides and then filling them with either compacted soil or building rubble.

Next we put a lime topping to prepare a level and flat surface to lay the cob walls onto.

Note: the excess soil removed from the foundation trenches has been sieved and is ready for conversion into building material (i.e. cob). We decided to leave the soil where it is, so as to not have to waste energy to take it away only to have to bring it back when building. So, the soil is piled up nearby and the rest of the spaces are back-filled with compacted building rubble.
Earthen Floors will be put in later.