Mike Anderson built this cordwood outhouse at Rune Stone Park in Kensington, Minnesota (near Alexandria, Minnesota). He writes the following message. “I am fine with you posting pictures. The wood is a mix of white pine and blue spruce thinned from “a planting” in the park. The mortar mix was 3 sand, 2 sawdust, 1 Portland, and 1 Type S, hydrated lime. The framing is 6×6 treated timbers. The stump for the toilet was also sourced in the park. The door handle and the toilet paper holder were also made from material in the park. The handle is maple and the toilet paper holder is ironwood. The outhouse is about .75 miles “in” on our trail system. It has been a learning experience but I think it has turned out nicely.”
It sure did turn out nicely. Well framed, “up” off grade, clear roof panels, hand made door and a good random pattern of logs.
Perfect use of a hollowed-out log.
The hand made door looks solid and sturdy.
The clear roofing panels allow for natural light to enter the chamber.
Mike used a metal chimney for the vent stack to give it a more polished look.
A couple of pictures of the hand made door with the tree root attached.
The log placement is excellent using mostly split pieces. The split-faced block gets the cordwood “up” off-grade so the chance for log end degradation is eliminated.
Should you wish to learn how to build a cordwood cottage, cabin or home, please visit www.cordwoodconstruction.org While you are there, click on the pictures, read the brief articles, check out the latest workshops and newsletter and if you are interested click on the Online Bookstore to see all the cordwood literature available in print and ebook format.
If you have questions that aren’t answered on the website you can email me at richardflatau@gmail.com
Readers have requested a brief bio, so here goes:
Richard & Becky Flatau built their mortgage-free cordwood home in 1979 in Merrill, Wisconsin. Since then, they have written books, conducted workshops, facilitated 2005, 2011 & 2015 Cordwood Conferences and provided consultation for cordwood builders. Cordwood Construction: Best Practices DVD (2018), Cordwood Construction Best Practices 2020 revision (print and ebook) and Cordwood Conference Papers (50 Shades of Cordwood) are the newest publications available from their online cordwood bookstore. www.cordwoodconstruction.org
The Cordwood Workshop DVD is like taking a workshop in your own living room.
For more information on Cordwood Construction, click on the picture or visit www.cordwoodconstruction.org
