[GSBN] Wall Detail

Sun May 20 16:08:31 UTC 2018

Great discussion!

I'll add just a bit, from the perspective of the cold climate
designer/builder. We initially developed the StrawCell system to be able to
get up to higher levels of wall performance - say, R40-50 - for those
seeking to achieve Passive House-level enclosures. The exterior cladding
has been a feature in our cold wet climate for ages now; having a system
that further normalizes framing, flashing detailing, and close-in in a
region where we have such a short frost-free building system has been very
important for longevity and quality control, let alone the fact that we are
now able to install bales in January! We have moving towards development of
a prefab panel system as well - this for us is every bit as much about
being able to extend our service range and construction radius without as
heavy of a carbon (and personal) impact from driving long distances to site
as it is for all the other good reasons already mentioned. We are trying
hard to figure out how to manage our carbon footprint, which is heavily
weighted towards travel in our rural environment.

I heard the original question as "why straw? why not cellulose or other
more conventional materials?" when trying to standardize a bale wall
assembly (i.e. prefab, hybrid, exterior cladding). We look at this a lot,
and in many cases forego straw for a double-stud wall or thick exterior
board insulation over a signal stud wall when all other signs point that
way. But, we still prefer bales (for example, in a StrawCell assembly) for
a series of reasons:
- straw has the potential (depending on source) to store much more carbon
in the building than other insulation materials
- straw has the potential (depending on source) to link us to sustainable
agricultural systems, supporting the multi-industry approach required to
achieve deeper levels of carbon reduction, social equity, and other such
critical goals
- straw is gorgeous, and plastered bale wall will look incomparably
beautiful
- interior plaster (clay, lime) still has performance values of interior
mass, moisture management, and air-tightness that exceed many other
interior finishes
- straw and plaster are WAY more fun to build with than basically any other
material or system we work with.

Glad to see this conversation evolving!
Jacob

On Sat, May 19, 2018 at 9:16 PM, Ian Smith <ian at lopezsmolensengineers.com>
wrote:

> 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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>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>    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-b
>> ale-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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>> ------------------------------
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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 at 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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-- 
Jacob Deva Racusin
Co-Owner
New Frameworks Natural Design/Build
1 Mill St., Ste. 161
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 782-7783
jacob at newframeworks.com
www.newframeworks.com
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