I think this is the beginnings of an economy based on perpetual growth and fossil fuel energy running headlong into geological energy constraints. Basically I see an undulatory downward path for the rest of my life. From here out, I think any rallies in our economic condition are going to be met with spiking commodity prices that knock us right back down.
Joined: Oct 23, 2004 Posts: 490 Location: Canada/Quebec Province
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 7:39 pm Post subject:
Adobe and Cob are great in the south..but not so good in cold and wet climates ! When the temp fall too much,the thermal mass of earth walls begin to play again you ..
But even in cold climate,it can be usefull when you use it in the building of fences,making of micro-climates and outside walls !
The sad side is..unless the gov begin to be unable to work,the buildings code Inspectors will cut you in pieces if you want to use it for a house ...
I dunno Schneider, people are building more and more Cob and Straw Bale houses in England and Ireland, and we've got plenty of cold wet weather.
That Adobe house sounds fantastic. I love the part about the indoor rainforest...lol. Are there any pictures of it online? _________________ We've tried nothin' and we're all out of ideas.
I am only one. I can only do what one can do. But what one can do, I will do. -- John Seymour.
Joined: Feb 13, 2005 Posts: 46 Location: SE Wisconsin
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:32 pm Post subject:
Ebyss said,
Quote:
I dunno Schneider, people are building more and more Cob and Straw Bale houses in England and Ireland, and we've got plenty of cold wet weather. Smile
I don't know about the Irish climate, but England is much warmer, on average, than many parts of the U.S. I live in southern Wisconsin and have been advised against using cob (this advice came from an architect who specializes in alternative housing). Cob is a huge thermal mass and it will get cold and STAY cold all winter. Straw bale is entirely different; straw is an insulator, and it is excellent stuff in cold climates. Put a thick plaster on the outside of your straw bales and you have the best of both worlds.
Cob will, however, withstand a wet climate, as long as you protect it from direct rain. Put wide eaves on your roof.
I work for a county government. Permitting (in CA) is tricky but not impossible. We had a development go in that used strawbale construction last year. The key is get your plans well engineered and you'll be fine. Getting financing is tougher, banks are more hesitant to lend to projects that are outside of conventional forms.
Strawbales are perhaps the more versatile of the two types. You can build directly on the bales or use them as insulation on a post and beam structure. You can put any number of coatings on them and (as long as you can keep them dry) can be placed anywhere.
Adobe and other stucco-mud housing of course functions the best in dry climates. I personally love the Mexican desert structures, the soft lines, curved archways and massive walls.
Another important element, long forgotten is the courtyard. Many structures in latin america still incorporate this element, an interior space that is open to the outdoors. Private it can have a garden, fountains, interesting decorations. More private than a conventional house with a backyard, it also consumes less space. The larger the building, the more elaborate the court yard. Here is another pic from the same adobe/strawbale structure.
I do admire those who build sustainably, though. I'm always willing to look and see what they did that I might learn from. I myself would love to build a passive & active solar home from Rastra (so it'll last my children & greats 500+ years).
Adobe is very nice, but you do have to consider climate. Strawbale does well in nearly every climate except superwet, unless you have huge roof overhangs. Actually, there's lots of cob in England, a wet country, you just need to have overhangs again, adn it doesn't store heat the way strawbale does. Rammed earth will do well in many climates except super wet; for wet climates with lots of wood, consider cordwood building. Properly roofed earth bag and rammed tire homes could be built nearly anywhere, and earth bag building is certainly the cheapest way to build (also the most labor intensive, though). I think there's a sustainable and local way to build in most places in the world, you just have to think outside the box, and in many places, look to see how the indigineous people built generations ago.... usually they have good ideas for your climate.
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