[GSBN] Embodied energy comparisons: SB vs Stick-built

[Derek Roff]

I'm in favor.

Derek

--On Tuesday, February 17, 2009 10:53 AM +1300 Graeme North 
<graeme at ecodesign.co.nz> wrote:

>
> Dear all
>
> I suggest that Andrew Alcorn be added to this list - he has been
> involved in earth and strawbale building research and design for many
> years and is one of the few researchers I know of who is delving
> deeply into this embodied and related  energy stuff in buildings
>
>
> In addition it will save me forwarding on loads of emails to him, and
> his replies to you
>
>
>
>
> cheers
>
>
>
>
>
> Graeme
> Graeme North Architects
> 49 Matthew Road
> RD1
> Warkworth
> tel/fax +64 (0)9 4259305
>  
> graeme at ecodesign.co.nz
> www.ecodesign.co.nz
>
>
>
> On 17/02/2009, at 8:39 AM, Derek Roff wrote:
>
>
> How about a more abstract one:
>
>
> Is this the best use of this material?
> Are we diverting/consuming a material from some other more important
> use?
>
>
> This is sort of the flip side of recycling- removing things from the
> market that have other uses.  The poster child for this kind of
> dilemma is crude oil.  Oil pundits like to say it has a million
> different uses, from pharmaceuticals to fertilizers to building
> materials.  Instead, we burn 99% of it, getting the lowest possible
> use from an amazing material.
>
>
> Right now, I look on ethanol this way.  To produce a marginal
> (perhaps negative) energy source, we have impacted food supply and
> general wealth and health in Mexico among other places.
>
>
> I don't have an example in mind for this kind of misuse of a material
> as it relates to the building industry.  Perhaps others can suggest
> one.
>
>
> Derelict
>
>
>
>
> --On Monday, February 16, 2009 11:01 AM -0800 John Swearingen
> <jswearingen at skillful-means.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Ok, since we've decided that embodied energy is of less or equal
> significance as life-cycle energy use, I would suggest that any
> materials or forms of construction be evaluated on at least these
> areas:
>
>
>
>
>   ? Does the material contribute structurally
>   ? Does the material contribute thermally (insulation)
>   ? Does the material provide thermal storage (mass)
>   ? Does the material provide fire safety
>   ? Does the material contribute to the local economy
>   ? What are the manufacturing environmental costs
>   ? What are the transportation and wastage environmental costs
>   ? Is the material a by-product, waste-product, or recycled
>   ? Is the material bio-degradable, recyclable or land-fill
>   ? Is the material toxic in manufacture, use or disposal
>   ? What is the expected life-span of the system (resistance to
> environmental damage)
> Feel free to add.
>
>
> John
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Derek Roff
> Language Learning Center
> Ortega Hall 129, MSC03-2100
> University of New Mexico
> Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
> 505/277-7368, fax 505/277-3885
> Internet: derek at unm.edu
>
>
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>



Derek Roff
Language Learning Center
Ortega Hall 129, MSC03-2100
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
505/277-7368, fax 505/277-3885
Internet: derek at unm.edu