STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

The stairway to be demolished for safety reasons. All of the wood has been used during construction of the shade house

The wooden frame has been erected and parts are ready for painting.

A metal screen door came in handy and was easily attached to the frame

Inside the shade house it is cool and protected from the wind

The completed structure has an old and weathered look, but will be very useful in the future

The first resident has arrived in the shade house. This monstera will enjoy the environment and should develop into a large potted specimen

This recycling project has resulted in the reincarnation of a stairway, that needed to be demolished, into a shade house for the farm.

Stairway Frame And Steps

Constructed of hardwood, the frame and steps of the stairway were used in the shade house without any treatments. Additional pine beams were sealed, being softwoods, in order to avoid rotting.

A Protected Environment For Seedling Trees

The main aim of this project was to develop a protected environment for seedling quandong trees. Young quandongs are seriously affected if the air is too humid and lots of ventilation is needed. A shaded environment is needed, hence the need for shade cloth.

The Recycled Materials

By recycling most of the materials used, this 10 square metre structure costed under $100 to produce. Using new materials, the completed structure including benches would amount to over $1000.

Materials destined for the council rubbish tip included; old sunroof sheeting, fence posts, stairway beams and steps, discarded shade cloth and an old screen door. The only new materials purchased included; post supports or stirrups, bolts, screws, nails and two bags of concrete.

A Stable Structure On My Hobby Farm

The final product has a well used look, maybe ugly, but that is its charm. Some original graffiti and plenty of attractive lichen growths have given this structure a unique look. Most importantly however, the structure is stable and it will not be moved by strong wind gusts.

Stairway To Heaven

This shade house has the capacity to produce thousands of native and exotic seedlings. Those that find their way into farms and gardens will provide food and shelter for countless insects, birds reptiles and mammals.

As far as these animals are concerned, this is their stairway to heaven.