The Roundhouse Project -
Mission Statement
I am a counsellor, psychotherapist and ceremonial facilitator. My approach as a therapist is humanistic, client-centred and psycho-spiritual, utilising modalities of applied ecopsychology through engaging in a variety of traditional indigenous ceremonial practices. I am dedicated to helping inform and support individuals upon their own unique journeys of self-enquiry, healing and transformation through the provision of a therapeutic container, orientated both in modern theory and ancient practice.
For over thirty years I have engaged and worked with indigenous elders from North America and Mexico. Amidst this ongoing process of training and initiation, I have received various blessings from my elders, encouraging and supporting me in taking care of certain ceremonial responsibilities as a service to the people. I host and facilitate a monthly gathering, enabling participants the opportunity to reconnect with self through engaging with the natural world in a variety of traditional, ceremonially based practices. One of the central themes of these group-based encounters is the sweat lodge ceremony - an archaic traditional rite of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual cleansing and purification.
In 2020, I embarked on a new and highly intensive academic journey to further deepen my understanding and appreciation of my engagement in traditional indigenous practices, whilst simultaneously complementing and augmenting my ongoing practice and qualification as a counsellor and psychotherapist. The Master of Arts in Counselling & Psychotherapy Practice required entering into three years of part-time study, culminating in undertaking and completing a research-based dissertation. I chose to examine those ways in which practice of the traditional sweat lodge purification ceremony can serve as a container to inform and support a psychotherapeutic process. Seizing upon this remarkable opportunity enabled me to ratify, in professional academic terms, how this archaic vehicle offers myriad physiological, cognitive, emotive and spiritual benefits for whomsoever chooses to make this ancient practice a regular part of their own regimen of self-care. In January 2024, at the culmination of ten years training and practice, I was awarded a Master of Arts Degree (with distinction) from Bath Spa University for my efforts.
Creating a suitable all-weather space for this valuable therapeutic work:
The communal gathering space I have created and utilised for these invaluable therapeutic encounters has been, up until now, a large canvas covered tipi. This beautiful traditional structure has served the growing community of dedicated individuals through all seasons and weather conditions. However this may be, during the winter months a recurring logistical challenge has presented itself, as it has never been possible to take the tipi structure down and store it between gatherings unless the canvas cover is completely dry. As a result, the tipi has quite understandably become somewhat the worse for wear. At last, I have decided to present myself, asking my local and broader community to assist in raising those funds sufficient to enable the creation of a timber-frame round-house. This low impact structure will be far more suited to the rigours of the highly changeable weather conditions occurring here in Somerset, serving as a multifunctional venue space; a central hub in which it will be possible to continue to help individuals from within the local and broader community who choose to engage in these deeply rewarding modalities of therapeutic work.
Structural Details:
The creation of an 8 metre (25ft) diameter circular building, utilising reciprocal turf roof architecture.
Round-wood timber-frame:
- the main superstructure of the building will be made utilising appropriate and readily available structural timber, ie Larch, Douglas Fir or Spruce round-wood beams and joists:
- roof joists: 13 joists @ 150mm x 7500mm
- secondary joists: 13 joists @ 150mm x 6000mm
- uprights: 13 pillars @ 200mm x 2800mm
- upper and lower cross-beam wall-plates: 26 horizontals @ 200mm x 2200mm
Roofing Materials:
- waney edge Larch/Douglas fir timber boards
- EPDM type waterproof membrane
- straw-bale/turf
- perimeter guttering and down-pipes for rainfall catchment
- Straw-bale walls: 156 standard bales (260 x 450 x 890mm): north wall: 96 bales; south wall 60 bales
- bales lined inside and out with chicken wire
- rendered externally with lime mortar
- rendered internally with bentonite clay/linseed
- internal perimeter bench seats, with storage space underneath
- south facing external bench seating, with firewood storage underneath
Footings:
- 13 individual plinth pads (500 x 500 x 500mm)
- plinths formed utilising hydrated lime & sand
- each housing a vertically embedded 25mm diameter threaded stainless steel (s/s) bar
- each of these fixings prepared with fully height-adjustable s/s double locking bolts and a galvanised 100mm square washer
Interior Details
Central Hearth:
- A central hearth place to facilitate group work around an open ceremonial fire will be an integral component within the structure of the building, made using fire-bricks and lime cement
- A central copper chimney-hood mechanism will vent smoke.
- An openable/adjustable roof skylight will enabling ventilation
- Closable/adjustable underfloor venting will admit draft-free air supply for central fireplace
Flooring:
- larch/douglas fir/pine flooring - shiplap/tongue&groove boards
- joists hung and tied in between perimeter cross-beams and block-work of the central hearth plinth
Wood burning stove & chimney:
- stove providing necessary heating for those group events requiring a clear, open floor space, whilst enabling sufficient drying/airing space for all of the sweat lodge blankets & covers
Double-glazed windows:
- reclaimed openable windows throughout southern walls
- facilitate natural light
- providing ample window-sill space for potted plants
Double barn-style door:
- eastern-facing traditional oak doors and door frame
- doors fitted with stained glass window panels
- furnished with hand-forged, wrought iron hinges, nails, latches and bolts
Bench Seating:
- interior bench seats on the inside of building, around the perimeter, with space underneath providing ample storage for rodent-proof metal boxes
- exterior bench seating beneath the south and eastern facing eaves
Firewood Storage:
- ample firewood storage space outside underneath the eaves, for both the woodturning stove and the central hearth - stacked around the northern and western perimeter of the round house structure
Solar Panels, Charge Regulator, Inverter & Batteries:
- sufficient solar panels and batteries for the provision of an off-grid 12v electrical supply for LED lighting and charging of low voltage tools and appliances etc
Total Estimated Cost:
Following much experience-based advice regarding suitable and applicable materials, methods and suppliers etc. from those who have previously undertaken similar building projects, and whilst endeavouring to economise and keep costs to a minimum without cutting any corners, the realistic estimated cost for the Roundhouse Project will be £15000 (GBP).
To illustrate, there follows a relatively comprehensive inventory of the project’s estimated costs:
Recruiting the expertise of a specialist Foreman/Engineer to oversee the initial creation and installation of the timber-frame superstructure:
20 days @ £175 = £3500
Larch/Douglas Fir Roundwood Timber: £2000
Joists/Floorboards: £1500
Oak for Doors/Door frame £500
Waney-edge Larch/Douglas Fir Roof Boards: £1000
Timber Delivery: £250
Straw bales: £500
Hydrated Lime: £350
Clay: - already on site -
Sharp Sand: £200
Hardcore for footings and drainage: - already on site -
EPDM natural rubber roof membrane: £1200
Stone for foundations: - already on site
Chicken/Rodent wire: £400
Window units (Reclaimed): - donation - £100
Fire-bricks for central hearth: - already on site -
Iron Work: nuts/bolts/washers/brackets: £500
Forged Hinges and Latches: £200
Wood burning stove & chimney: £1500
Miscellaneous/sundries: £300
Solar Tech - panels/batteries/regulator/inverter: £1000