[GSBN] Anyone ever try a cob/straw-clay hybrid?

[kevin rowell]

Similar but different approach I've considered for this very client:  

Adobe inner and outer wall with a loose pack infill of Lime/Borax treated Rice hull or other suitable insulate fill. Pre treat and dry before filling cavity. 
      -Will likely need some cross ties … 
Same relative footprint, assuming 8" x 4" x 16" Adobes. ( my preferred size) 
Stay in place formwork means less steps. 
Allows for a (potentially) optimized placement of Insulating layer and thermal mass with a portion of the mass on inner and outer walls. 
Drainage in the cavity space may need consideration:  Im picturing PET plastic mesh layer 2 inches thick, not unlike the stuff we used for the floating islands at West Coast Green 2009

Im with Tim, Creating mock ups of options seems fun. Time to locate some research funds for EBNET led testing? 

Kevin Rowell  

Build Director - Symbiosis Events - www.symbiosisevents.com
Skype ID: naturalbuilders

U.S. Cell  - 510.325.4277  
For new project inquiries call our office 510.214.6289






www.TheNaturalBuilders.com         
100 Behrens  St. El Cerrito, ca 94530
CL#B891512                                         









On Apr 29, 2013, at 10:32 AM, Paula Baker-Laporte <paula at econest.com> wrote:

> My concern would also be that the straw clay would only be able to dry from one side and that the cob would add to the moisture content for a long time...too long to dry the wall out safely.
> Building the straw clay wall first and then adding something like adobe to the interior could work.
>  
> Paula
> 
> On Mon, Apr 29, 2013 at 10:07 AM, Chris Magwood <chris at endeavourcentre.org> wrote:
> My concern would be drying for the straw/clay. We have a hard time getting straw/clay to dry in our warm but humid summer. We count on a week per inch of wall thickness, and that's with both sides of the wall exposed. Sometimes we have to help things along with a fan on the interior because the drying is slower in the still air. With one side of the straw/clay up against cob (which may still be drying itself?) I would worry about the straw/clay not drying out at all before it starts to get mushy in there.
> 
> What about double wythe cob with a dry insulation in between? 
> 
> Chris
> 
> On 13-04-29 11:38 AM, Bruce King wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> A client in North Carolina (mixed climate, no earthquakes) wants to build a large assembly structure on load-bearing cob, which doesn't insulate too well.  He doesn't want to use bales with thick earthen plaster, either.
>> 
>> So our idea was to build a wall that would look like this, from inside to out:
>> 
>> 14" -- 18" of load-bearing cob
>> 8" -- 12" of light straw-clay
>> lime plaster
>> 
>> Has anyone already done this, or heard of it?  Any reports of comments?
>> 
>> Thank you!
>> 
>> Bruce King
>> 
>> (415) 987-7271
>> Skype: brucekingokok
>> Twitter: @brucekinggreen 
>> http://www.housetalkgreen.com
>> http://bruce-king.com/
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> GSBN mailing list
>> GSBN at sustainablesources.com
>> http://sustainablesources.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/GSBN
> 
> -- 
> Chris Magwood
> Director, Endeavour Centre
> www.endeavourcentre.org
> 
> _______________________________________________
> GSBN mailing list
> GSBN at sustainablesources.com
> http://sustainablesources.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/GSBN
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Paula Baker-Laporte FAIA,BBP
> Econest Architecture Inc.
> www.EcoNest.com
> paula at econest.com
> Phone: 541.488.9508
> _______________________________________________
> GSBN mailing list
> GSBN at sustainablesources.com
> http://sustainablesources.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/GSBN

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.sustainablesources.com/pipermail/gsbn/attachments/20130429/755dcfd6/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: pastedGraphic.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 11814 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.sustainablesources.com/pipermail/gsbn/attachments/20130429/755dcfd6/attachment.pdf>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.sustainablesources.com/pipermail/gsbn/attachments/20130429/755dcfd6/attachment-0001.htm>