The Art of Natural Building by Catherine Wanek

Author:Catherine Wanek [Kennedy, Joseph F.; Smith, Michael G.; Wanek, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781550925609
Publisher: New Society Publishers
Published: 2015-02-11T16:00:00+00:00

FIGURE 31.9. The challenging energy standards of the German “Passivhaus” concept have been achieved by straw bale architects and builders both in Europe and the United States. This super-energy-efficient home in Wienerherberg, Austria, designed for Angelika Rutard by architect Winfried Schmelz, employs modular straw bale wall panels, finished with a wooden rain screen. [Credit: Catherine Wanek]

Other smaller-scale panelized straw bale wall systems are being used effectively in Canada and Australia. Straw bale author and teacher Chris Magwood developed a very low-tech panelized straw bale system in response to unpredictable weather. These small-scale plastered bale panels can be preassembled and plastered inside a shop, then rapidly erected onsite with little concern for weather. John Glassford of Huff & Puff Constructions in Australia also developed a panelized bale wall system similar to concrete tilt-up systems, in which he can use either a regular small bale or a jumbo bale measuring 4 ft. wide by 8 ft. long by 3 ft. high (2.4 by 0.9 m).

Swiss architect/builder Werner Schmidt has developed another structural wall system utilizing jumbo bales. In the laboratory, he has measured their amazing strength and insulation value — R-128! His solar-designed homes have little need for conventional HVAC systems. Typically, residents use their backup heating system (usually a wood stove) very occasionally, and for ventilation they just open a window. Schmidt favors clay plasters throughout the interior and lime plasters on the exterior, and usually incorporates prefabricated straw bale floor and ceiling panels.

At the same time, responding to the marketplace and human needs, other builders continue working to develop small, simple, affordable straw bale home designs. These have taken many shapes and forms, using straw bales in all configurations — laid flat, on edge, on end, even sliced in half. Experiments with straw bale vaults have had mixed results: the inexpensive bale is used for both wall and ceiling insulation and can provide its own structure. Disadvantages include difficulties in roofing and/or making the bales watertight. A number of initiatives in developing countries where straw is an untapped resource have introduced low-cost, high-performance buildings.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.