Os'mose assistance dog training center
An ecological building built by volunteers!
What memories! What a project! And it's unique, perhaps not in its function, but in its execution!
First of all, let's talk about the building materials: timber frame - straw roof - straw walls - lime/clay to cover the walls - OSB (under roof and ceilings) - natural rubber (floors): as you can see, ecology was the watchword for this building. In fact, we wanted a building that reflected Os'mose's image and represented our values: warmth and welcome. And that's exactly what our visitors tell us they feel.
Secondly, we can't talk about this project without mentioning the volunteers! Indeed, many of them worked in shifts to make this large-scale project a reality. And we had COVID to thank, because we started construction in the middle of a wave. Many of our regular volunteers were forced to stop work. Coming to the OS'mose site was a breath of fresh air, an escape, a reason to get up every day... Some would even say that the site saved them from depression. Of course, the structural work and some delicate jobs like the electrical work were carried out by contractors, but everything that could be done by volunteers was.
Over and above the not inconsiderable financial aspect (a saving of several tens of thousands of euros), erecting this center together adds an extra soul to the building! This is a volunteer center, not just an Os'mose center, and that makes all the difference!
We can also thank our corporate partners, who did everything in their power to keep the project on schedule, and many of whom made major financial efforts or donated materials to help the association achieve its goal: a fully funded center on inauguration day! It may sound presumptuous, but we've done it! 800,000 was the sum we needed to raise... Perhaps if we'd known that at the outset, we wouldn't have done it ... and that would have been a shame.
Os'mose now benefits from a super structure, fully adapted to the needs of each member (especially those with reduced mobility), thanks to which the quality of dog training has increased considerably. In fact, we now have a model studio with switches at different heights, a medical bed, a kitchen and bathroom area (all fully functional) where we can train our dogs in real-life circumstances.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way to this wonderful adventure!
If you scroll down, you'll find photos of some of the construction stages, as well as all the many press articles published about our center.
Moments of generosity, shared smiles, and the power of giving—for those who walk on two legs and four
A look at the first steps of a project that will shape the future of assistance dogs
Building
The roof is made up of wooden boxes for the straw bales. We took our time building the boxes, but then inserting the bales, covering them with OSB panels and finally finishing the roofing took just a few days. We had to wait for a good weather window so that we could work several days in a row without rain! It was a race against time to get everything done while keeping the sun shining!
Like the roof, the walls are made of straw bales. These are covered with lime on the outside and clay on the inside. This construction is perfect for insulation and indoor air quality.
Inside, volunteers took turns covering the straw with wooden battens and then with clay, as well as erecting the internal partitions, building the ceilings, constructing the walls using pallet wood, not forgetting the final painting and fitting out of the center.
A titanic task that would never have been possible without the availability of Os'mose volunteers. Thanks also to École Mosaïque, who helped us build the internal partitions.
Repots on the Move-In
All the construction photos are right here
