Outdoor rooms

Principle 12: Creatively use and respond to change

I'm in the process of reading The Permaculture Handbook by Peter Bane. In it he discusses the benefits of outdoor rooms, which our carport has become. In the book Peter states "especially valuable are outdoor rooms lying between the connecting buildings" (our carport links the house to the cellar and workshop). He also mentions that "a most important outdoor room is the... Summer Kitchen", which has got me thinking more about an idea that's been brewing of an outside sink to wash vegies, it may now become a preparation area for preserving - incorporating a permanent home made rocket stove.

I've just finished painting the box beams that were showing signs of weathering. My father recommended that I give them an undercoat before painting them with a colour, which I did, even though the paint can said that I didn't have to. I'm very happy with the end result, creating a welcoming outdoor space that can be used rain, hail or shine.

The carport's roles include:
  • entertaining and eating area
  • education space (where I begin talks and tours)
  • space for fixing, repairing and making larger items
  • kids play and project space
  • parking the car
  • Black Markets - local food swap / exchange
  • temporary storage area
Taken after completing the paving, but before painting the box beams


Dad said "make sure you give it an undercoat before you paint it", so I did


The finished box beams, with two coats of acrylic paint

Comments

Caro said…
Richard, have you seen Asphyxias article about her rocket stove in Grassroots mag? Can't remember which issue, maybe check their website.

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