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

[Bohdan Dorniak]

I second his nomination - he's not bad for a Kiwi!!
Bohdan Dorniak

  _____  

From: GSBN-bounces at greenbuilder.com [mailto:GSBN-bounces at greenbuilder.com]
On Behalf Of Graeme North
Sent: Tuesday, 17 February 2009 8:24 AM
To: (private, with public archives) Global Straw Building Network
Cc: Andrew Alcorn
Subject: Re: [GSBN] Embodied energy comparisons: SB vs Stick-built


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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