Well I have a number of reactions. First, it's great that developing consistent manufacturing standards for a straw design are being explored. Such a large part of the architectural universe relies on products that can be easily specified.<br>
<br>The principle embodied energy in using straw bales--comes in transport--they're heavy and bulky and not easily handled in quantity. Pre-fab increases this disadvantage by requiring an additional loading/off-loading and transport scenario. The weight of both bales and plaster is carried by the earth's atmosphere as additional CO2.<br>
<br>Perhaps this is a relatively minor cost compared to the job-site convenience of delivery of a finished product at a specified time, and pre-fab can assure (as it does for stick construction) a consistency and precision of product and (hopefully) more efficient and less costly assembly.<br>
<br>I don't see anything particularly about this concept that could not be handled on site, perhaps under a cover, with portable equipment. Handling would be greatly reduced, since modules could be assembled and placed directly into the building, perhaps with only three sides and interlocks when placed adjacent to other panels--something that would be more difficult if heavy transport is involved.<br>
<br>All that said, I'm amazed to see this modern prefab technology is using broomsticks to stake the bales together! And I have to say that I cringe a little to see bales so tidy and neatly enclosed...but then I'm just an old hippy, really.<br>
<br>John "Mod Con" Swearingen<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 10:46 AM, martin hammer <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:mfhammer@pacbell.net">mfhammer@pacbell.net</a>></span> wrote:<br>
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<font face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px;">I encourage people to look at the following website regarding a prefab SB system being developed and implemented in the UK:<br>
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<a href="http://www.modcell.co.uk/page/new-balehaus-at-bath" target="_blank">http://www.modcell.co.uk/page/new-balehaus-at-bath</a><br>
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Is anyone familiar with this? Also, I include here a brief sequence of comments between Dan Smith (GSBN member), Dietmar Lorenz (of Dan’s office), and myself.<br>
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On Jul 29, 2009, at 8:29 AM, Dietmar Lorenz wrote:<br>
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Very interesting, indeed. I wonder how material (and cost-) effective this system is after all. The frames have to be overly sturdy for transport and handled very carefully to avoid damage to the plaster or the installed doors and windows. Wiring and plumbing could also be a challenge with such small units, rather than full length wall segments or prefab boxes. Dan has probably more insights to share from his experience with our ZETA prototypes.<br>
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But it's great to see that this is being explored in a serious way, and it certainly architecturally appealing. Maybe I'll see it from the airplane Saturday morning, when we fly over the UK...<br>
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On 7/29/09 8:35 AM, Dan Smith wrote:<br>
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Thanks, it's certainly refreshing in concept and looks. But it seems about $25 sf for bare bale panel only, hmm.<br>
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</span></font></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><font face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 12px;">On 7/29/09 9:40 AM, Martin Hammer wrote:<br>
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I agree with both of your comments. The wood frames are thick, deep, heavy, and consume a lot of wood. Maybe an ‘</span></font><span style="font-size: 12px;"><font face="Times, Times New Roman"><b>I</b></font><font face="Arial">’ section could be used. And I hadn’t noticed the per sq.ft. price. <br>
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It’s still good to see. A modern vocabulary with SB (rarely seen), using the bales only in solid panels (no holes poked in them), and at least trying pre-fab, with plaster done in shop conditions (even though it inherently creates bulky, heavy panels that must then be transported). Not sure how dependable the bale to frame interface is in terms of potential water intrusion.<br>
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<br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>John Swearingen<br><br>Skillful Means<br><a href="http://www.skillful-means.com">www.skillful-means.com</a><br>blog: <a href="https://skillfulmeansdesign.wordpress.com">https://skillfulmeansdesign.wordpress.com</a><br>