straw bale resource info and co-housing | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Strawnet (Strawnetaol.com) | |
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 94 16:57 CST |
Dan Ardoin (71045.2023 [at] compuserve.com) wrote: "We are seriously thinking over the possibility putting up a straw bale workshop. There was some disscussion of a straw bale common house but the group was mostly uncomfortable with that idea. One of my concerns was the code requirements and how they could be met and how fire safe the construction is. Our architects have some experience with this type of construction and even have demos on some local property. The whole idea sounds fun but we're not sure if it is really cost effective or not. David, can you give us an approx. per sq. ft. figure? Thanks for brining this up, it is a very interesting development and one we are likely to use sooner or later. Dan from Grell, Oceano, CA" Dan Code issues with straw bale are evolving. This coming summer, in Tucson and Pima County Arizona, we should have the first adopted straw bale building code for load-bearing (structural) straw bale. I have been very involved with the code and research and testing activities for a couple of years now. It is getting somewhat easier to get permits, even for load-bearing (still not easy most places). And as for fire, its actually superior to wood frame with similar wall finishes - Canada and New Mexico fire tests have clearly demonstrated this. More testing is needed and we're working on that. Let me recommend some resource info that you might want to get and look at. What follows is a copy of something I posted somewhere on the internet recently (I think in was in the alt.architecture newsgroup). It covers some general info and where resources are available. Faster for me to copy and repost this than write it again frequently. If you have more questions, please ask and I'll try to answer as time permits. Glad you are interested in this stuff. David Eisenberg (strawnet [at] aol.com) Here's the resource info: Straw bale construction is for real! I have been quite actively involved in straw bale construction over the past 3 years, building, leading workshops, involved in research, code issues, and writing about s b construction. This past summer I travelled throughout the western US leading straw bale workshops visiting most of the historic and many of the more recent straw bale buildings, including several in Nebraska (dating from 1903, 14, 21, 25, 28, 36, 48, 49, 53, 1979-this one is in Washington state on the west side of the Cascades - and on up to buildings under construction now, and including the first permitted load-bearing straw bale house in California - in Philo near Ukiah in a seismic 3 zone). In response to requests for info on Straw Bale construction I offer the following current references: Best source of general and specific info is: Out On Bale (OOB) in Tucson, AZ (my home town). 1037 E. Linden St., Tucson, AZ 85719, (602) 624-1673. They publish an informative and valualbe quarterly journal about s b called The Last Straw. I recommend you subscribe ($28/yr) if you are seriously interested in s b, since it has the up to date info on all manner of related things, including a human resource guide. Back issues are available too, and there is an index that can fill you in on what's in each issue. Current issue is focused on the issue of moisture and has submissions from France, Canada, and around the US. Also has info on what's happening all over the world in s b construction. In addition, Matts Myhrman (co-founder of OOB) and Steve MacDonald have written an excellent how-to book called BUILD IT WITH BALES. They also have other resources available including general info packets, videos, and other booklets. Joanne DeHavillan Workshops, at the same address also arranges hands-on workshops for OOB (I've led and co-led many these and still do). Another soon-to-be-available excellent resource is the book THE STRAW BALE HOUSE, by David Bainbridge, Bill and Athena Steen and me. It is published by Chelsea Green Publishing Co. and is due out the end of November, '94. It is 300+ pages with over 240 b&w photos, 16 pages of color photos, and 45 illustrations. It is a broad and deep survey of straw bale construction. It will be available in bookstores, from The Canelo Project, HC1 Box 324, Elgin, AZ 85611, from OOB, or from me. I hope this is helpful. I am reachable at strawnet [at] aol.com
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