Building The Low-Temperature Kiln at Umpium Mai
These photos depict the building of a low-temperature kiln. The kilnsite was pre-determined when we arrived and
so our research for materials began at the site itself. There was an existing thatch topped
hut built on a leveled hillside over the road. We found the clay on the hillside directly behind
the hut to be of acceptable plasticity for use as a building material. Due to the availability of
labour (the YDC staff and students) we were able to complete the project in about three
weeks. The photos below cover a two week period.
-PHOTO-
This is the kilnsite before excavation, after removing the topsoil and overburden we screened
the excavated clay and used various mixes of Clay, Sand, and Rice Husk to form a slotted
cone shapped brick and mortar. The grey bricks in the foreground were made before our
arrival from another local source of higher temperature clay.
-PHOTO-
A view of Area "A" of the camp from the kilnsite.
-PHOTO-
An outline of the kiln as we excavated the firebox and leveled chamber and chimney areas.
-PHOTO-
Mr. Ou-Moun is working with us, he has his own workshop where he does sculpture and is
also an excellent carpenter.
-PHOTO-
Kai at the other end of the firebox.
-PHOTO-
One of the children mimicking our weaving activities.
-PHOTO-
One of Ou-Moun's sons making thin strips of bamboo for tying together our woven form for the
firebox.
-PHOTO-
The completed bamboo form
-PHOTO-
Ou-Moun, Burt Cohen, and Tom Unziker.
-PHOTO-
The Completed firebox was made from the unfired brick made from a high temperature gray
clay which Mr. Ou-Moun found.
-PHOTO-
Students and staff forming balls from the red clay (6) Sand (4) Husk (2) mixture; it was mixed wet
so we had to form the balls before lunch, so they were dry enough for forming after lunch.
-PHOTO-
Forming the hollow clay cones
-PHOTO-
Same as above
-PHOTO-
Placing the completed cones on ground sprinkled with rice husk to sun-dry
-PHOTO-
Top view of the Firebox, Chimney base and Chamber base. The chimney base is also made
from higher temperature unfired brick from the same gray clay.
-PHOTO-
Front view of above
-PHOTO-
Detail of doorway and bamboo arch guide
-PHOTO-
The completed dome and firebox
-PHOTO-
Side view of door and base of chimney
-PHOTO-
Completing the chimney base (overhead view) The doorway is filled with cones and sealed
with a 3sand/2husk/4clay lagging.
-PHOTO-
A view of the wasteoil ladder (burner) being tested in the drying fire.
-PHOTO-
This is the kilnsite before excavation, after removing the topsoil and overburden we screened
the excavated clay and used various mixes of Clay, Sand, and Rice Husk to form a slotted
cone shapped brick and mortar. The grey bricks in the foreground were made before our
arrival from another local source of higher temperature clay.
-PHOTO-
A view of Area "A" of the camp from the kilnsite.
-PHOTO-
An outline of the kiln as we excavated the firebox and leveled chamber and chimney areas.
-PHOTO-
Mr. Ou-Moun is working with us, he has his own workshop where he does sculpture and is
also an excellent carpenter.
-PHOTO-
Kai at the other end of the firebox.
-PHOTO-
One of the children mimicking our weaving activities.
-PHOTO-
One of Ou-Moun's sons making thin strips of bamboo for tying together our woven form for the
firebox.
-PHOTO-
The completed bamboo form
-PHOTO-
Ou-Moun, Burt Cohen, and Tom Unziker.
-PHOTO-
The Completed firebox was made from the unfired brick made from a high temperature gray
clay which Mr. Ou-Moun found.
-PHOTO-
Students and staff forming balls from the red clay (6) Sand (4) Husk (2) mixture; it was mixed wet
so we had to form the balls before lunch, so they were dry enough for forming after lunch.
-PHOTO-
Forming the hollow clay cones
-PHOTO-
Same as above
-PHOTO-
Placing the completed cones on ground sprinkled with rice husk to sun-dry
-PHOTO-
Top view of the Firebox, Chimney base and Chamber base. The chimney base is also made
from higher temperature unfired brick from the same gray clay.
-PHOTO-
Front view of above
-PHOTO-
Detail of doorway and bamboo arch guide
-PHOTO-
The completed dome and firebox
-PHOTO-
Side view of door and base of chimney
-PHOTO-
Completing the chimney base (overhead view) The doorway is filled with cones and sealed
with a 3sand/2husk/4clay lagging.
-PHOTO-
A view of the wasteoil ladder (burner) being tested in the drying fire.