[GSBN] Straw on edge with stick (stud) frame

Tue Jul 5 20:48:42 UTC 2016

Hi folks,

The "necessity" of the add'l insulation is for folks trying to get to a
loosely-accepted R40 minimum wall assembly for high-performance homes
(nothing formal here, just loose guidelines) in cold climates. In our
climate (IECC Zone 5), the <R30 bale wall doesn't really cut it, at least
not in all applications. This was a primary motivation for our hybrid
system. We are also playing with installing insulated fiberboard sheathing
on prefab wall panels to get to R40, but that's a different construction
modality than the stick frame approach in question here.

So, to that end - here are a few links about the StrawCell system. Nothing
definitive here, but some early works-in-progress concept stuff. We've
since delved more deeply into details, Jim et al I'm happy to get into
those details as is helpful.

Introduction video <http://newframeworks.com/strawcell/> to the concept
Article
<http://newframeworks.com/2015/02/strawcell-3rd-generation-strawbale-wall/>
first published in GreenBuildingAdvisor
Video of a demo <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ3Qzqvv-S8> we gave at
BuildingEnergy13
Article <http://thelaststraw.org/a-straw-cell-wall-system/> Chris Magwood
wrote for The Last Straw on their work w the system

Jim, happy to serve as a reference, you can credit Jacob Deva Racusin, New
Frameworks Natural Design/Build

Would love to hear others' experiences with this system - we've figured out
a few ways to make it go faster and integrate into pre-insulated
assemblies, curious to hear how it goes for you! Best of luck, share your
details!

Cheers,
Jacob

On Tue, Jul 5, 2016 at 11:45 AM, Jim Carfrae <jim.carfrae at plymouth.ac.uk>
wrote:

> Thanks Bruce
>
>
>
> I’m adding an extra layer of insulation to keep up with current standards
> like PassivHaus (I don’t build PassivHaus, but clients like to hear that
> you’re using similar levels of insulation….)
>
>
>
> Unless anyone else wants to chip in, I’ll reference Jacob as the
> originator.
>
>
>
> Jacob, If I continue using a version of this method would you like to be
> credited in the documentation for planning approval etc?
>
>
>
> Jim
>
>
>
> *From: *Gsbn <gsbn-bounces at sustainablesources.com> on behalf of Bruce
> EBNet <bruce at ecobuildnetwork.org>
> *Reply-To: *Global Straw Building Network <gsbn at sustainablesources.com>
> *Date: *Tuesday, 5 July 2016 at 16:10
> *To: *Global Straw GSBN <gsbn at sustainablesources.com>
>
> *Subject: *Re: [GSBN] Straw on edge with stick (stud) frame
>
>
>
>
>
> Jim —
>
>
>
> I’ll chime in here just to say that I first heard of the system from
> Jacob, so as far as I know he deserves credit.  (Thanks, Jacob!).  You can
> add other insulation fairly easily, but generally don’t need to, other than
> to plug the thermal bridges created by the wood studs where there is no
> straw.
>
>
>
> Bruce
>
>
>
>
>
> On Jul 5, 2016, at 7:11 AM, Jim Carfrae <jim.carfrae at plymouth.ac.uk>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi Dan
>
>
>
> My interest was mainly to do with combining the structural simplicity of a
> stick frame with the potential for significant extra insulation, as in the
> StrawCell example.
>
>
>
> Does your system involve much additional insulation?
>
>
>
> In the UK I have been using a 4 by 2 frame with wool as the insulation
> between the studs. This combines with the straw to reduce the U value from
> a nominal 0.16 W/m2K for a rendered straw wall down to 0.11 W/m2K for the
> hybrid wall.
>
>
>
> Jim
>
>
>
> *From: *Gsbn <gsbn-bounces at sustainablesources.com> on behalf of Dan Smith
> <dan at dsaarch.com>
> *Reply-To: *Global Straw Building Network <gsbn at sustainablesources.com>
> *Date: *Tuesday, 5 July 2016 at 14:48
> *To: *Global Straw Building Network <gsbn at sustainablesources.com>
> *Subject: *Re: [GSBN] Straw on edge with stick (stud) frame
>
>
>
> Hi Jim,
>
>
>
> We’ve been working with a similar system of bales "on end" between 2x
> studs at 2’ o.c., with ply/fiber board on the exterior, and have a
> large addition to an adobe house planned to use it soon, working with Bruce
> King as engineer.  I’d be happy to chat as well and send details.
>
>
>
> Dan Smith
>
>
>
>
>
> d s a architects
>
>
>
> 1107 Virginia Street | Berkeley | CA 94702
>
> ph. 510.526.1935 | www.dsaarch.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Jul 5, 2016, at 6:35 AM, Jim Carfrae <jim.carfrae at plymouth.ac.uk>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi Jacob
>
>
>
> Thanks for the response.
>
>
>
> I have been experimenting with a version of this technique myself, and I
> principally wanted to find out if:
>
> 1)    I was using someone else’s ‘protected’ design.
>
> 2)    It might feature in an upcoming academic paper, and I wanted to
> know who to reference as the originator.
>
>
>
> The post that I saw had a photo of a demonstration wall section and a
> couple of SketchUp drawings – Was that you?
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
>
>
> Jim
>
>
>
>
>
> *From: *Gsbn <gsbn-bounces at sustainablesources.com> on behalf of Jacob
> Racusin <buildnatural at googlemail.com>
> *Reply-To: *Global Straw Building Network <gsbn at sustainablesources.com>
> *Date: *Tuesday, 5 July 2016 at 13:39
> *To: *Global Straw Building Network <gsbn at sustainablesources.com>
> *Subject: *Re: [GSBN] Straw on edge with stick (stud) frame
>
>
>
> Hi Jim,
>
>
>
> We've been doing this technique for a few years now, in a few different
> ways. We coined a term "StrawCell" to describe the hybrid system, a web
> search for that term should turn up a few blog posts and videos. I'm not
> sure if I was the originator of the post, as others have been using this
> technique as well, but I'd be happy to chat further.
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jacob
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jul 4, 2016 at 4:58 AM, Jim Carfrae <jim.carfrae at plymouth.ac.uk>
> wrote:
>
> Hello
>
>
>
> A couple of years ago details of a bale wall system using bales on edge
> against a stick frame were posted here.
>
> I can’t find the original post, and would like to contact the originators
> of the idea.
>
> Can anyone out there help?
>
>
>
> Jim
>
>
>
> Dr Jim Carfrae
>
> Environmental Building Group
>
> Room 302 Roland Levinsky Building
>
> School of Architecture, Design and Environment
>
> Plymouth University
>
> Drake Circus
>
> Plymouth PL4 8AA
>
>
>
> 07880 551922
>
> jim.carfrae at plymouth.ac.uk
>
>
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> --
>
> Jacob Deva Racusin
>
> Co-Owner
>
> New Frameworks Natural Design/Build
>
> 1 Mill St., Ste. 163
>
> Burlington, VT 05470
>
> (802) 782-7783
>
> jacob at newframeworks.com
>
> www.newframeworks.com
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> If you have received this email in error please let the sender know
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> no responsibility for viruses and it is your responsibility to scan emails
> and their attachments. Plymouth University does not accept responsibility
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> This email and any files with it are confidential and intended solely for
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> intended recipient then copying, distribution or other use of the
> information contained is strictly prohibited and you should not rely on it.
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> and their attachments. Plymouth University does not accept responsibility
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> attachments constitutes an order for goods or services unless accompanied
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-- 
Jacob Deva Racusin
Co-Owner
New Frameworks Natural Design/Build
1 Mill St., Ste. 163
Burlington, VT 05470
(802) 782-7783
jacob at newframeworks.com
www.newframeworks.com
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