Cohousing-L Mailing List: Straw Bale Homes & SIPs

[Rod Lambert (rod]

James,
Almost all of that $110k home was built without "sweat equity". It was 
mostly accomplished through subcontracts (for framing, plumbing, 
electrical etc.) which helped to give the owner assurance of a target 
price from the beginning. They made only a few significant changes, 
mostly sticking to the "script" avoiding "feature creep" to keep it on 
price. I like to think that the elegantly simple passive solar design -3 
bedrooms up, open plan down, with 2 full baths - also contributed 
significantly to the affordable result.

(in my previous email "nbhds" = neighborhoods.) The choice of 
construction manager is very important. I interviewed several before 
making a choice. Because they are essentially an employee of the owner, 
the owner's project is the "boss". In a pure set-price approach, the 
contract is the "boss" and can lead to adversarial moments. The 
different methods usually lead to different results. It would take a lot 
of "ink" to properly describe the technique. Perhaps you can visit and I 
can give you a tour? The two neighborhoods here were built with the two 
methods and make an interesting comparison.

Rod

> Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:14:42 -0500
> From: James Kacki <jimkacki [at] mts.net>
> Subject: Re: [C-L]_ Straw Bale Homes & SIPs
> To: Cohousing-L <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org>
> Message-ID: <58AE088C-2C1B-4933-AC98-ED0D21D74E6E [at] mts.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset=US-ASCII;       delsp=yes;      
> format=flowed
>
> Wow! 1240sf for $110,000 !!!  Do you attribute this low cost to the  
> 'sweat equity' factor you mentioned? -Any other factors?  At that  
> price, I'm sure we all want to know much more.
> " Both these nbhds are built with a somewhat unique construction  
> management process...."
> What is an 'nbhds'?  and tell us (in as much detail as you are  
> comfortable with), about the ..."unique construction management process"
> Thanks -and Congrats
> James
>
> On 14-Oct-08, at 9:00 PM, Rod Lambert wrote:
>
>   
> > Sharon,
> > Almost the entire 2nd neighborhood of 30 units was built with SIPs  
> > here. We also built 2 straw bale homes. The straw bale homes were  
> > by far the most expensive. Most builders of straw bale homes say,  
> > as I understand it, that you should not build with straw bale to  
> > save money. It's certainly my opinion. However they are beautiful  
> > homes, loved by their owners, with a minimum of petroleum derived  
> > products.
> > I am quite happy with the SIP homes although I wouldn't say it is  
> > significantly cheaper then frame.
> > I continued to spec them in the homes I designed for WhiteHawk  
> > ecovillage just south of Ithaca NY. The first residents have just  
> > moved in and are very pleased with how they perform.
> > Both these nbhds are built with a somewhat unique construction  
> > management process (allows for sweat equity and customization  
> > although it can also be a "call-me-when-it's-done contractual  
> > process) which I feel has worked very well. (The home just moved  
> > into at WhiteHawk was a 1240sf home for $110k + 40k common cost.)
> > It's a methodology which is somewhat contrarian to the conventional  
> > process having its own pluses and minuses but I continue to  
> > recommend it.
> >
> > Rod
> > Development manager, design coordinator
> > EcoVillage at Ithaca, NY
> >
> >