permaculture

[John Schinnerer <JohnS@STLabs.com>]

Aloha,

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Permaculture West [SMTP:permawest@olywa.net]
        >2.) would it be possible to somehow pack cob or rammed
        >earth around and over the ferro cement structure (for added
insulation and
        >"earthy" aesthetics",

        You might get aesthetics, but virtually no insulation - earthen
building materials offer high thermal mass, but low insulation.  If
thermal mass is useful in your situation, you'd get that...

        > 3.) how water proof is ferro cement or how would one
        >water-proof the ferro-cement? 

        Water tanks are built the same way you propose to do your dome,
and they hold water.  A friend of mine has built two catchment tanks
this way (pour slab, build rebar/mesh armature, mud on ferrocement).

        John Schinnerer