[GSBN] GSBN name and scope (was Nomination of Paula Baker-Laporte)

Wed Nov 23 19:23:35 UTC 2011

hi All

It is clear that many (all) of us are involved with far more than "just" strawbale building, mostly in a range that I would suggest could be described as natural building .

Having said that, it is really great to have such a focused group that can bring expertise to bear on one main aspect, while still acknowledging and allowing its many off-shoots.

I am reluctant to go with such a broad scope as the Global Sustainable Building Network - that could bring in so many greenwash aspects that I would shudder.

I would, however, support David's suggestion of Global Straw Building Network - still GSBN, but much more appropriately, more inclusive.

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 24/11/2011, at 8:06 AM, martin hammer wrote:

> Tim,
> 
> Good thoughts.  The discussions on this list have ranged far and wide from straw bale for some time, but always regarding subject matter that relates to the important issues straw bale building encompasses.  A name change, and an official acknowledgement of the broadening of scope, seems appropriate if not overdue.  In fact I thought the B in GSBN already stood for Building (not Bale), just as CASBA has always stood for the California Straw Building Association.  
> 
> If we wanted to broaden the scope in name even further, but not lose the acronym, it could be the Global Sustainable Building Network.  In the end a rose by any other name is still a rose.  Most important is the collective acknowledgment of scope, and the represented realms from which members participate.
> 
> Martin Hammer
> 
> 
> On 11/23/11 10:38 AM, "David Eisenberg" <strawnet at aol.com> wrote:
> 
>> Tim,
>> 
>> I have had similar thoughts related to the artificial boundaries we tend to erect around subjects that typically extend well beyond our central focus. I like the transition you suggest, to Global Straw Building Network - still GSBN, but much more appropriately more inclusive. I'll cast my vote for this as well as adding Art Ludwig, John Fordice and Michael Smith. 
>> 
>> David Eisenberg
>>  
>>  
>>  
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Tim Owen-Kennedy <timok33 at gmail.com>
>> To: Global Straw Building Network <GSBN at sustainablesources.com>
>> Sent: Wed, Nov 23, 2011 11:30 am
>> Subject: Re: [GSBN] Nomination of Paula Baker-Laporte
>> 
>> I'd Love to have Paula as part of this group.
>> 
>> It brings up another question I've been wanting to pose which I think is pertinent to the down turn in participation and energy at CASBA and presumably around the world in Straw Bale specifically. I haven't done an only Straw Bale building for a while and don't consider myself a straw bale builder. Straw is the most common insulation I use in the Natural and green buildings I design and build. More and More I think of my buildings as more or less insulative, massive, and or structural substrates for plaster. I know some don't plaster their bales but as cavalier as I am I still don't think that is worth the savings even if you want wood cladding. The most interesting and valuable discussions on this list for me are often the ones that are barely connected to straw bale. And I would hate to loose this community of collaboration or keep people from posing their green or natural building quandaries to this esteemed group if they don't have anything to do with straw bale. 
>> 
>> SO, I would propose we change our name to the Global Straw Building Network (to minimize the shift) and open our ranks to the world of excellent Natural Builders that are trying to look deeply and globally at the scalability of local building systems and keeping them evolving with Building Science. 
>> 
>> So if this Idea isn't too offensive, there's a few like Michael Smith, Art Ludwig, and John Fordice and others.
>> 
>> I might be contradicting my desire for fewer and more efficient communications for this group but consolidating straw building techniques has become an itch I can't keep from scratching.
>> 
>> Happiness, health, and humor to you all,
>> 
>> Tim
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Fri, Nov 11, 2011 at 10:46 PM,  <strawnet at aol.com> wrote:
>>> I second the nomination. Thanks Martin.
>>> 
>>> David Eisenberg
>>> 
>>>  
>>>  
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: martin hammer <mfhammer at pacbell.net>
>>> To: GSBN <GSBN at SustainableSources.com>
>>> Sent: Fri, Nov 11, 2011 11:40 pm
>>> Subject: [GSBN] Nomination of Paula Baker-Laporte
>>> 
>>> All,
>>> 
>>> I nominate Paula Baker-Laporte to the GSBN.  As I said in my previous e-mail Paula is an architect and leading practitioner (along with her husband and builder Robert Laporte) of “light clay” construction in the US.  You can see Paula and Robert's beautiful work at www.econesthomes.com <http://www.econesthomes.com> , and in their book EcoNest.  Having a leading authority on this method of construction would be a great addition to the GSBN.
>>> 
>>> Martin Hammer 
>>>  
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>>> GSBN at sustainablesources.com
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>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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