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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'>In the
interest of furthering research I would support the nomination.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'>However,
can I suggest that with her research test building she has at very least 2
rooms built side by side so that the results will also compare different types
of plaster coatings that are used in bale construction, subjected to the same
conditions comparing and how they react differently to moisture. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'>From my
understanding there seem to be generically 2 main kinds of main approaches to
plastering.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1)<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span
style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'>“stucco” type
plasters ....which typically combine often half lime and half cement as the
binder in the mix ...and typically the use of some kind of a metal mesh
reinforcing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2)<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span
style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'>fibre reinforced earth based
plasters ...often but not always finished with some kind of lime based plaster
....i.e. no cement<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'>Each
of these types of plasters are typically finished in various kinds of
breathable coating but not always.....context, climate and local resources,
skills etc all playing such a big part in these decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'>There
are obviously numerous variants within each of these approaches ....so 2 rooms
will probably still not be anywhere enough to really understand things .....but
think that if there is only one type of plaster used, the results of the study
will remain very specific to the type of plaster used with the experimental
building....whereas getting a better understanding of how different approaches
to plasters and finishes used affect the moisture within a wall would be of far
greater value. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'>Other variables
come to mind such as comparing sun facing and non sun facing walls, windward
and non wind facing, length of overhang, type of roof shape etc etc.....so how
one sorts through all the variables to get to any useful generic data is what I
think will be a particular challenge with this kind of research. It would thus be
critical to carefully define the parameters of the particular variable of such
an experiment<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'>Best
regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'>Andy
Horn<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Futura Lt BT","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Eco Design - Architects & Consultants<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>1st floor 79 Roeland St. Cape Town, 8001, South Africa <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><a href="http://www.ecodesignarchitects.co.za">www.ecodesignarchitects.co.za</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> GSBN-bounces@sustainablesources.com
[mailto:GSBN-bounces@sustainablesources.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Bruce EBNet<br>
<b>Sent:</b> 24 August 2014 08:47 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Global Straw GSBN<br>
<b>Cc:</b> Enga Lokey<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [GSBN] a new nomination / some new SB research<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Baleheads of the world —<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>I was contacted by Enga Lokey of USA/Australia, who wishes
to write a PhD thesis on straw bale that will be of some use, maybe fill in
gaps in our knowledge. I suggested that a summary review of all the
moisture studies to date would be great, but wonder if any of you have other
burning questions that need further research. I also suggested she get to
know all the Ausbale folks, and hope that can happen somehow.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Below I have forwarded Enga’s own description of her
aspirations, and brief bio. I hope and suspect that at least a few of you
will offer suggestions, and want to here nominate her to membership so she can
freely communicate with the group.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>This constitutes a departure from our somewhat fuzzy
criteria to date for membership. But GSBN traffic is so light, and
quality so high, that it seems fitting to bring her on so as to best support
research. If anyone strongly disagrees, please let me/us know. I’m
not sure if anyone else knows her, so a second may be hard to find.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Any thoughts?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Bruce King<o:p></o:p></p>
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<span class=apple-style-span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>(415) 987-7271<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://bruce-king.com/" target="_blank">http://bruce-king.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Skype: brucekingokok<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span>Twitter: @brucekinggreen <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.ecobuildnetwork.org">www.ecobuildnetwork.org</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><br>
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<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Begin forwarded message:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><br>
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<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b>From: </b>Enga Lokey <<a
href="mailto:enga@thelokeys.net">enga@thelokeys.net</a>><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b>Subject: GSBN</b><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b>Date: </b>August 23, 2014 at 5:01:06 PM PDT<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b>To: </b>Bruce King <<a
href="mailto:bruce@bruce-king.com">bruce@bruce-king.com</a>><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Dear Bruce,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Thank you for suggesting I should get involved with GSBN. I
appreciate your recommendation and hope that I can make a positive contribution
to the group and strawbale building more generally.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>As we discussed, I will be commencing a PhD program through
RMIT's (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) Architecture and Design School
next March. A general idea for my research has been formulated with the
consultation of my supervisor, but this is very open to revision as I begin a
more thorough literature review and try to determine where the greatest gap in
knowledge and prior study truly resides. I have no interest in just cranking
out something to please the academia and get a few letters after my name. I
would really like to do something that can add to the practical knowledge base
of strawbale building specifically and environmentally thoughtful building more
generally. Then....... I will end world hunger and bring peace to all.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>At this point, the plan is to incorporate
moisture/temperature monitors at varying heights and locations within the
strawbale walls and crawl space of a small residential structure that will be
baled and plastered in March. The most basic information that will be gained is
the temperature and moisture movement in relation to internal and external
conditions. This may also be manipulated at times by creating an excessively
humid condition internally to determine a 'worst case' scenario. Also, and of
great interest to me, is to look at how these variables do or don't change over
time. For instance, should one expect a 10 (20,30, etc) year old
strawbale house to perform comparably to a new one. Being able to monitor the
drying regime as the home is plastered may also be of interest. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Additionally, I will question the prevailing movement in
Australia to build all homes on slabs. Can far less cement be used and achieve
an equally energy efficient home with a well-insulated, raised timber floor?
Inspired by some of the research that has been done in the US, the crawl space
of this home will have the potential to be vented or sealed and monitored in
each situation. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>So those are the areas I had planned to focus on as I begin
a complete literature review and narrow my scope. I would love to hear from
those of you that have been working in the area for many years as to where you
see the knowledge gaps. What do we need to know with more certainty and
accuracy to advance straw bale building?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>On a more personal note and as an introduction of myself to
the group, I am presently in the US working in the Grand Canyon guiding 15-day
whitewater raft trips on the Colorado River. I have been doing this during the
Austal winter for the last 10 years, and doing various Outdoor Education,
rigging, and building work in Australia during our Summer. I have a B.S. and
M.S. in Exercise Physiology from 20-years ago and a Graduate Diploma in Energy
and Environment earned last year. I live in a town of 450 folks in rural
western Victoria. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Thanks again for your consideration!<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Cheers,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Enga<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Enga Lokey<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>10 Lake Rd<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>PO Box 917<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Natimuk 3409<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal>Australia<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span>0468 359 556<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:enga@thelokeys.net">enga@thelokeys.net</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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