[GSBN] steel clad barn and straw bales

[Tom Woolley]

Dear Chug

I think the only way you can avoid condensation is to ensure that  
there is an air gap between the steel and the bale walls  and one that  
is also well ventilated.
Thus the steel is acting as a rain screen. If the bales are tight to  
the steel you will almost certainly get condensation
The problem then is to plaster the outside of the bales for fire  
reasons. There would also be the worry that there would be a fire risk  
in the gap so it needs to be well fire stopped as well
Maybe the only way is to make prefabricated panels that are plastered  
on the "outside" before putting into place a bit like MODCELL

It is worth trying to find out the details used for the steel clad  
buildings that have been built in the UK using hemcrete internally.
If you google the Wine Society building in Stevenage designed by  
Vincent and Gorbing architects. It doesn't look very nice but  
apparently its very effective.

Tom
On 7 Oct 2011, at 09:11, Chug wrote:

> Greetings baleheads,
>
> I've been asked if straw bales can be retrofitted to the inside of a  
> steel
> clad barn and whether there would be any problems with condensation  
> forming
> on the steel and migrating into the bales, anyone got any experience  
> to
> share?
>
> bale on
> Chug
> chug at strawbale-building.co.uk
> http://www.strawbale-building.co.uk
> .
>
>
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>

Tom Woolley

Rachel Bevan Architects
80 Church Road
Crossgar
Downpatrick
BT30 9HR
tom.woolley at btconnect.com
028 44 830988
www.bevanarchitects.com