[GSBN] Wall Detail

Sun May 20 01:16:49 UTC 2018

The Do-it-yourself Homesteader, and the Zero-maintenance urban/suburban
developer, and everyone in between.  Different strokes for different folks.

Great to see some activity on here about this subject... something the
global community could talk about a lot more... like, maybe at an
International Conference or something?

Did someone say ISBC?  2020?   (I'm cheering for you, European
continent....)

Ian Smith
COSBA

On Sat, May 19, 2018 at 6:05 PM, <gsbn-request at sustainablesources.com>
wrote:

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>    1. Re: Wall Detail (Bill Steen)
>    2. Re: Wall Detail (John Glassford)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 19 May 2018 16:44:43 -0700
> From: Bill Steen <williamsteen11 at gmail.com>
> To: Global Straw Building Network <gsbn at sustainablesources.com>
> Subject: Re: [GSBN] Wall Detail
> Message-ID: <38DB99D5-E671-45A3-8688-9275EB39411D at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Well said John, I will add a little to what you wrote. When it comes to
> panels, the method evolved by the Lithuanians, Slovakians (Bj?rn Kierulf),
> etc has a lot to recommend and addresses a variety of concerns that have
> been voiced. I?ll leave it at that for the moment.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On May 18, 2018, at 9:56 AM, John Swearingen <
> jswearingen at skillful-means.com> wrote:
> >
> > Enga, you've well expressed the contradictions inherent in blending
> strawbale, an efficient 'vernacular' system with conventional construction,
> a highly optimized 'industrial' system. Covering bales with cladding and
> fitting them to studs impedes the efficiency of wood framing and reduces
> the bale component to mere insulation, ignoring potential structural and
> architectural value. The principle advantage becomes that we've stuffed a
> fair amount of carbon into the walls and can call the building "green".
> >
> > Strawbale has an advantage over other vernacular methods in (1) its
> structural qualities as a ductile, load-bearing material that can take a
> variety of finishes that provide (2) thermal mass, combined with (3) high
> insulation. When structural requirements override what bales can provide,
> it often appears reasonable to  install a discrete structural system.
> Economic constraints and the labor pool can then drive the search for
> readily accessible and efficient structural systems, such as conventional
> stud construction, something everybody knows how to do. The same
> considerations can carry over to the finish material, and thermal mass is
> sacrificed in order to use efficient and inexpensive sheet goods.
> >
> > There are some good reasons to do this--using simple frame construction
> allows people to easily find conventional builders to build their dream.
> Sheet cladding is attractive in areas where render is uncommon and may be
> expensive. We learned early on that it was easier to adapt our bales to the
> framing than to frustrate framers by making them work around the bales.
> >
> > A major cost of bale construction comes in the installation and
> preparation of the bales, particularly around fenestration. This is often
> discounted because of volunteer labor, but to make bale construction more
> widely available we've concentrated efforts on improving that aspect of
> construction, using pre-assembled panels that deliver bales efficiently and
> still provide structural capability.  A standardized panel makes bales more
> acceptable to mainstream builders, and shop-built panels that contain
> windows and doors improve qualitiy and lower costs. Separating fenestration
> from bales into conventionally framed sections, and allows us to use
> assemblies that were designed for conventional construction without
> modification--and lets bales be bales.
> >
> > John "Panelhead" Swearingen
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >> On Tue, May 15, 2018 at 6:02 PM Enga Lokey <enga at thelokeys.net> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hello you amazing builders/designers,
> >>
> >> At the risk of being chucked off the list for this question, I would
> like to play devil?s advocate here and ask what is being achieved by the
> use of strawbales in the methods discussed below and others that seem to be
> the direction that strawbale is moving (i.e. building wrap, 2x6 framing on
> 24in centers, external timber sheathing, etc). More specifically, it
> appears that the building methods are being adjusted toward a more standard
> construction to the point of wondering why the strawbale is even still
> used? There are other cellulose based products and other more natural or
> healthy insulation products on the market.
> >>
> >> We are all aware of the challenges of working with straw and thus there
> needs to be, in balance, a greater benefit in order to justify. Is that
> benefit still there when used in this way? Are we not using equal/more
> other materials in order to build with straw in these methods? Is it
> justified?
> >>
> >> And as the saying goes, "just because I am confused does not mean you
> are incorrect."
> >>
> >> Cheers,
> >> Enga
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> enga at thelokeys.net
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> On 15 May 2018, at 9:21 pm, Rene Dalmeijer <rdalmeij at mac.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Doug,
> >>>
> >>> I did a pre-fab 5 story SB build akin to the system used by David in
> 2007. The difference being we used Fermacell with breathable housewrap on
> the outside clad with open horizontal larch cladding. This has been
> performing very well even though there have been some leeks due to caulking
> problems in the window frames, No mushy bales.
> >>>
> >>> This has become my preferred Pre-fab SB method. Although I am now
> involved in a pre-fab build without any earth plaster on the bales at all,
> shudder! The bales will vertically stacked in prefab elements with
> underlayment inner and outer skins with wooden vertical slab siding.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Rene Dalmeijer Proces Advies
> >>> Thomas Hoodstraat 2
> >>> 1086 WE Amsterdam
> >>>
> >>> 06 48955419
> >>>
> >>> KvK 34243755
> >>> BTW NL057444146B01
> >>> NL18ASNB0932817343
> >>> new email rdalmeij at mac.com
> >>>
> >>> IBAN NL09INGB0004388720
> >>> BIC INGBNL2A
> >>>
> >>>> On May14, 2018, at 18:42, David Arkin, AIA <david at arkintilt.com>
> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Hello Doug:
> >>>>
> >>>> We completed a recent project using a ?Hybrid Wall System?, employing
> typical 2x6 studs at 24? on center with plywood sheathing (note - plywood,
> not OSB - but in a non-seismic zone wood fiberboard or similar may
> suffice), and then installed the bales as insulation on-end between the
> studs, using clay plaster on the interior and a typical weather-barrier and
> cladding finish on the exterior.  Attached is an illustration of the
> system, and here are links to the workshop and the finished building, a
> 34,000 mixed use office and warehouse in Eugene, Oregon.
> >>>>
> >>>> http://www.arkintilt.com/ata-helps-host-casba-hybrid-straw-
> bale-workshop-our-mahonia-building-eugene-oregon
> >>>>
> >>>> http://www.arkintilt.com/salvaged-materials-mahonia
> >>>>
> >>>> Also attached is a picture of the wall under construction.  We used
> 3-string rye bales and held them tight to the plywood with 4? wide strips
> of 1/2? plywood, and 12? Timber-Hex screws into the studs (we'll use 14?
> screws next time - easier to find the studs, and a better connection).
> >>>>
> >>>> I also have the WUFI analysis our building efficiency consultant ran
> for various locations - they can run a weather file specific to Wilmington
> if you wish. LMK.
> >>>>
> >>>> This is not quite a ?StrawCell? as it doesn?t feature cellulose, but
> it could be appropriate to Delaware.
> >>>>
> >>>> Looks like a great project,
> >>>>
> >>>> David / ATA & CASBA
> >>>>
> >>>> <2017-0224 YW2 bale corner detail2.jpg>
> >>>> <IMG_9936.JPG>
> >>>>> On May 14, 2018, at 8:47 AM, Chris Magwood <
> chris at endeavourcentre.org> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Hi Doug,
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Here's a detail from our last straw-cell project. Hope it's helpful
> to you. You can contact me off list if you want to discuss it.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Cheers,
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Chris
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> On 2018-05-14 11:03 AM, douglas nichols wrote:
> >>>>>> Hello All
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> I'm consulting with a non-profit (http://www.yinnovations.org/)
> to  build an affordable straw home for a low income family.  Their current
> engineering was provided by someone unfamiliar with straw bale building and
> is coming up pretty short of being a low carbon, sustainable, or natural
> design.  So we are moving to a straw cell design to help ease any
> engineering and building official concerns about the straw bale part.  My
> question is-- does anyone have a good straw cell wall detail drawing they
> can point me to or donate to the effort?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Y Innovations, Inc.
> >>>>>> www.yinnovations.org
> >>>>>> 2903 North Jefferson Street 2903 North Jefferson Street is a 4500
> square foot vacant lot in the city of Wilmington, where Y Innovations will
> be completing a 630 square foot naturally-built straw bale home in 2018.
> >>>>>> Thanks
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Doug Nichols
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Creating Energy Efficient Homes Since 1995
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Nichols Contracting LLC
> >>>>>> 821 S. 400 E.
> >>>>>> Moab, Utah 84532
> >>>>>> Cell #970.683.1517
> >>>>>> Lic. #9508518-5501
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Principal / Qualifying Builder
> >>>>>> Community Rebuilds Moab -- http://www.communityrebuilds.org/
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>>>> Gsbn mailing list
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Gsbn at sustainablesources.com
> >>>>>> http://sustainablesources.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/gsbn
> >>>>>
> >>>>> --
> >>>>> Chris Magwood
> >>>>> Director, Endeavour Centre
> >>>>>
> >>>>> www.endeavourcentre.org
> >>>>> <Screen Shot 2018-05-14 at 11.29.45 AM.png>_______________________
> ________________________
> >>>>> Gsbn mailing list
> >>>>> Gsbn at sustainablesources.com
> >>>>> http://sustainablesources.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/gsbn
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> *  *  *  *  *
> >>>> Arkin Tilt Architects
> >>>> Ecological Planning & Design
> >>>> 1101 8th St. #180, Berkeley, CA  94710
> >>>> 510/528-9830 ext. 2#
> >>>> www.arkintilt.com
> >>>>
> >>>> David Arkin, AIA, Architect
> >>>> LEED Accredited Professional
> >>>> CA #C22459/NV #5030
> >>>>
> >>>> Director, California Straw Building Association
> >>>> www.strawbuilding.org
> >>>> CASBA is a project of the Tides Center
> >>>>
> >>>> "There is no way to peace. Peace is the way."
> >>>> ? A. J. Muste
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> Gsbn mailing list
> >>>> Gsbn at sustainablesources.com
> >>>> http://sustainablesources.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/gsbn
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> Gsbn mailing list
> >>> Gsbn at sustainablesources.com
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> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Sun, 20 May 2018 09:56:44 +1000
> From: John Glassford <jacksflat at gmail.com>
> To: Global Straw Building Network <gsbn at sustainablesources.com>
> Subject: Re: [GSBN] Wall Detail
> Message-ID:
>         <CADO2z1s6CzQaVx-yEBWYCHp_UBF4eaTfY-yqoAaYOkEKhTpZoA@
> mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Morning Bill and Athena
>
> Been a long time my friends.
>
> Have to get back to Canelo one day once you two have visited the land Down
> Under!!!!
>
> I agree about the Lithuanians and love their work.  It does take the panel
> system to another level simple and elegant.  Both our systems also lend
> themselves to owner builders.
>
> Talk soon.
>
> JG aka The Straw Wolf
>
> Huff 'n' Puff Constructions
> http://www.glassford.com.au
> 61 2 6927 6027
> In Australia (02) 6927 6027
> Mobile 0412 11 61 57
>
> *0498 190 880 <0498%20190%20880>*
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