DOCSLIB.ORG

The Art of Natural Building — Revised and Updated

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Art of Natural Building — Revised and Updated Praise for The Art of Natural Building — Revised and Updated The Art of Natural Building — Second Edition is an epic adventure through the world of natural building. No stone is left unturned in presenting the beauty, inclusiveness, human, socially and environmentally responsible world of building with what the earth gives us, where we are. As a whole, it’s a bit overwhelming — so much to take in — and yet each subject is complete within itself. The spirit of this book is attuned to its subject — gentle, simple, embracing, humble, caring, and infused with love for each other, our communities, and the earth. It’s really about creating a humane world, a beacon to guide us through difficult times. — Bill Hutchins, founder/principal, Helicon Works Architects This is a book to live your life by — to improve your life in every aspect. No single problem is overlooked, from global warming to the imbalance of wealth and poverty. [This book] draws from a variety of tried-and-true methods while bringing us into today’s world — anyone, anywhere can build an affordable home from the practical details in this volume. — Marion Bridge, author, Passion for Earth: Earth Houses in New Zealand This is a well-illustrated and comprehensive, wide-ranging book on many methods and aspects of natural building, drawing on materials from many parts of the world and written by prominent practitioners and proponents. It will be 2 much anticipated by those who are either keen to promote natural building, or who are simply wishing to find out a whole lot more about it, what it means, and to see a whole range of examples. If you want to learn about the state of natural building today, I suggest that you grab a copy. — Graeme North, chair, Earth Building Association of New Zealand A magnificent collection from the natural building all-stars. If you’re looking for the collective wisdom of the entire tribe, you’ll find it gathered here. Don’t build a home without it! — Bruce King, engineer and author, and founder, BuildWellLibrary.org Experienced practitioners Wanek, Kennedy and Smith’s Art of Natural Building (second edition) is a tour de force, providing a veritable encyclopedia of ecologically sound, healthy building designs constructed out of a remarkable range of locally available natural materials. Readers will be inspired to action by the 64 case examples written by many of the world’s leading natural building innovators, enriched with 200 illuminating visuals. This is a go-to resource that should be prominently featured on every public and private library shelf. — Michael P Totten, Senior Fellow, Rocky Mountain Institute The first edition of The Art of Natural Building blew me away. Part practical manual, part radical manifesto for a reimagining of construction, part rich immersion in a global 3 movement rooted in craftsmanship, beauty and place. Every home in these pages is a work of heart. As Naomi Klein put it recently, “there are no non-radical solutions left.” This book is packed with radical solutions, yet solutions which build community, bring beauty (yes, I’ll use that word again) into our lives, and leave us happier, healthier and more skilled. I love it. I’m sure you will too. — Rob Hopkins, founder, Transition Town movement and author, The Power of Just Doing Stuff It’s great to have a new edition of this classic treasure-chest of information on natural building. Most of the space enclosures built in the 20th century were toxic energy hogs; this book points the way to sustainable, comfortable, and beautiful alternatives. — Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow, Post Carbon Institute and author, Afterburn Not only a rich and mouthwatering menu of natural building techniques, this up-to-date guidebook allows you to savor the advice and wisdom of an international collection of experts and practitioners in this evolving field, critical to our collective future. With chapters on how to get a permit or a LEED rating, design for your climate, and apply building science to buildings of dirt and straw, along with a whole new section of sage experience from case studies worldwide, this book is a go-to guide for new and seasoned natural building enthusiasts. — Laura Bartels, president, GreenWeaver and board president, Colorado Straw Bale Association 4 The Art of Natural Building lays out historical context for how buildings are constructed around the world, in various climates, using various indigenous materials. This book remains a valuable resource for any natural building library, with many updates from the first edition. The focus is not a how-to guide, but rather imparting inspiration, showing what is possible when you build naturally. — Sigi Koko, principal and founder, Down to Earth Design The Art of Natural Building provides a thoughtful, accessible compilation of natural building materials and methods, while also exploring the cultural, economic and sociological aspects of community and the built environment. The comprehensive scope, along with practical tips, ideas, examples and case studies make this new edition a valuable resource for professionals, communities and individuals interested in natural building. It is an informative, interesting and inspiring read that also sparks new ideas and invites reflection. I highly recommend perusing, reading and frequently revisiting this insightful, helpful book. — Dr. Lisa Wipplinger, SE, LEED AP BD+C 5 6 7 Copyright © 2015 by Catherine Wanek, Joseph Kennedy and Michael G. Smith. All rights reserved. Cover design by Diane McIntosh. Cover: Thierry Dronet’s workshop/stable in France is a hybrid natural building incorporating straw bales, cordwood masonry, lime plaster and a living roof. Photo © Catherine Wanek. Printed in Canada. First printing January 2015. New Society Publishers acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund (CBF) for our publishing activities. Inquiries regarding requests to reprint all or part of The Art of Natural Building should be addressed to New Society Publishers at the address below. To order directly from the publishers, please call toll-free (North America) 1-800-567-6772, or order online at www.newsociety.com Any other inquiries can be directed by mail to: New Society Publishers P.O. Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0, Canada (250) 247-9737 LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION 8 The art of natural building : design, construction, resources / editors, Joseph F. Kennedy, Michael G. Smith, Catherine Wanek. — Second edition. Includes bibliographical references and index. Issued in print and electronic formats. ISBN 978-0-86571-771-8 (pbk.). — ISBN 978-1-55092-560-9 (ebook) 1. Architecture, Domestic — Environmental aspects. 2. Ecological houses — Design and construction. 3. Dwellings — Design and construction — Environmental aspects. 4. Building materials — Environmental aspects. I. Wanek, Catherine, author, editor II. Kennedy, Joseph F., author, editor III. Smith, Michael G. (Michael George), 1968–, author, editor NA2542.35.A77 690′.8047 C2014-907511-1 2014 C2014-907512-X New Society Publishers’ mission is to publish books that contribute in fundamental ways to building an ecologically sustainable and just society, and to do so with the least possible impact on the environment, in a manner that models this vision. We are committed to doing this not just through education, but through action. The interior pages of our bound books are printed on Forest Stewardship Council®-registered acid-free paper that is 100% post-consumer recycled (100% 9 old growth forest-free), processed chlorine-free, and printed with vegetable-based, low-VOC inks, with covers produced using FSC®-registered stock. New Society also works to reduce its carbon footprint, and purchases carbon offsets based on an annual audit to ensure a carbon neutral footprint. For further information, or to browse our full list of books and purchase securely, visit our website at: www.newsociety.com 10 Contents Foreword to the First Edition by Albert Bates Foreword to the Second Edition by Bill Steen Acknowledgments Introduction: An Open Door by Michael G. Smith Part One: The Context for Natural Building 1. The Case for Natural Building by Michael G. Smith 2. Natural Building: A Global Tradition by Catherine Wanek 3. The Importance of Housing Ourselves by Ianto Evans 4. Natural Building and Social Justice by Rob Bolman 5. Sustainability and Building Codes by David Eisenberg 6. Can My Natural Home Get a LEED Rating? by Joseph F. Kennedy and Ann V. Edminster 7. Life-Cycle Cost and Value of Four Houses by David A. Bainbridge 8. In Defense of Craft by Patrick Webb Part Two: Design and Planning 11 9. Designing for Vitality by Carol Venolia 10. The Healthy House by Paula Baker-Laporte 11. Eighteen Design Principles to Make Square Feet Work Harder by Robert Gay 12. Designing with the Sun by Susie Harrington 13. Natural Building for Cold Climates by Jacob Deva Racusin 14. Hybrid Homes: Combining Natural Materials for Energy Efficiency by Catherine Wanek and Michael G. Smith 15. Remodeling with Natural Materials by Joseph F. Kennedy and Janine Björnson 16. Siting a Natural Building by Michael G. Smith 17. The Permaculture House by Peter Bane 18. Complementary Systems for Energy-Efficient Homes by Michael G. Smith 19. Regenerative Building: An Ecological Approach by Michael G. Smith 20. Building the Natural Village: A Strategy for Repairing Cities by Mark Lakeman Part Three: Natural Building Materials and Techniques 12 21. Natural Building Materials: An Overview by Joseph F. Kennedy 22. Foundations for Natural Buildings by Michael G. Smith 23. Stone Masonry by Michael G. Smith 24. Adobe Building by Paul G. McHenry 25. A Brief History of Cob Building by Michael G. Smith 26. Rammed Earth: From Pisé to PISE by Scott Grometer 27. Compressed Earth Blocks by Hubert Guillaud 28. Building with Earthbags by Joseph F.
Load more

  1147
Copy Link
Recommended publications
  • Natural Building and Community
    PHOTO BY BARTON WILDER CUSTOM IMAGES WILDER CUSTOM BARTON BY PHOTO Natural Building and Building Community by Jeanine Sih Christensen Quiet Valley Ranch got a new chapel on I started writing about green building in 1994, started Chapel Hill. Logs were fi tted together inside the forks of the supporting posts. work at greenbuilder.com in 1996, later marrying its own- The local live oak timber used in the project was specifi cally harvested er and geek-in-chief, Bill Christensen. For over a decade I because those trees had died a natural have been involved in the green and natural building com- death. The cedar decking was site milled, and the juniper on the roof was munities, where I have made some friends, including many culled from the ranch. The hill-like living roof on this Hill Country chapel is made people mentioned in this article. Bill and I also performed of compost from Quiet Valley Ranch, publicity work, web work, taxi service, and loaned blan- native plants, and a sheet of pond liner to keep moisture away from the cedar kets and sheets for the Texas Natural Building Colloquium roof decking. In addition to the spiritual implications of having living roof on a in exchange for admission but with no fi nancial compensa- chapel, the earth provides a good insula- tion. My husband and I have performed paid work for both tive barrier between the sun and the chapel’s interior space. Center photo, Gayle Borst of Design~Build~Live and Pliny Fisk III of the above, by Leslie Moyer.
    [Show full text]
  • Solar Decathlon Africa - Team OCULUS
    Solar Decathlon Africa - Team OCULUS Mechanical Design Team: Edward Andrews Ermina Damlamayan Nathan Rogers Faculty Advisors: Prof. Steven Van Dessel Prof. Tahar El Korchi Design of the Mechanical Systems for Team OCULUS in Solar Decathlon Africa 2019 A Major Qualifying Project Submitted to the Faculty of the WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degrees of Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Civil Engineering April 25, 2019 By: Edward Andrews Ermina Damlamayan Nathan Rogers Advisors: Prof. Steven Van Dessel Prof. Tahar El Korchi This report represents work of WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its web site without editorial or peer review. For more information about the projects program at WPI, please see http://www.wpi.edu/academics/ugradstudies/project-learning.html 1 Abstract The Solar Decathlon is an international, net-zero building design competition that seeks to raise awareness about the importance of energy efficiency and sustainability. Competing teams are tasked with designing, building, and showcasing a residential structure that meet the requirements of the competition’s ten contests. Team OCULUS, comprised of college students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA, two Moroccan universities, and one Nigerian university, will compete in the Solar Decathlon Africa 2019 which will take place in Ben Guerir, Morocco in September 2019. Team OCULUS is divided into smaller teams based on student expertise. This report details the work of the Mechanical Team of Team OCULUS. The Mechanical Team was responsible for the design of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, the sizing and selection of mechanical equipment and appliances, the design of the photovoltaic system, and the development of a whole-house energy balance.
    [Show full text]
  • Innovation in Sustainable Solar-Powered Net-Zero Energy Solar Decathlon Houses: a Review and Showcase
    buildings Article Innovation in Sustainable Solar-Powered Net-Zero Energy Solar Decathlon Houses: A Review and Showcase Yeganeh Baghi 1,*, Zhenjun Ma 1 , Duane Robinson 2 and Tillmann Boehme 3 1 Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; [email protected] 2 Australian Power Quality & Reliability Centre, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; [email protected] 3 Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +61-2-4221-8111 Abstract: Solar Decathlon is a showcase of cutting-edge residential buildings containing innovative solutions and technologies. This study reviewed, identified, and categorized technological innova- tions from past Solar Decathlon competitions. The review was based on publicly available data of the top five houses from each U.S. and international Solar Decathlon competition. The most prolific innovations identified were from building services systems and architectural design and construction. It was observed that most innovations within building services systems were in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning, and home automation, while architectural design and construction innova- tions focused on building adaptability, façade, structure, and building materials. It was found that although there is no fixed relationship between the numbers of innovations in the houses and their overall competition points, there is a high probability for an innovative house to be placed within the top five houses. This study also provides information about technological innovations within Solar Decathlon houses and offers an innovation classification scheme to guide Solar Decathletes to Citation: Baghi, Y.; Ma, Z.; Robinson, understand what innovations could be implemented in their future entries.
    [Show full text]
  • Unit D Sustainable Agriculture & Biomass Energy
    UNIT D SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE & BIOMASS ENERGY NM Standards and Benchmarks Social Studies Economics Strand, Content Standard IV-B: Analyze and evaluate how economic systems impact the way individuals, households, businesses, governments, and societies make decisions about resources and the production and distribution of goods and services. Performance Standard #8: Evaluate economic systems by their ability to achieve broad societal goals (e.g., efficiency, equity, security, employment, stability, economic growth). Science Strand III, Science and Society, Content Standard I: Examine and analyze how scientific discoveries and their applications affect the world, and explain how societies influence scientific investigations and applications. Performance Standard #4: Understand the scientific foundations of common technologies (e.g., kitchen appliances, radio, television, aircraft, rockets, computers, medical X-rays, selective breeding, fertilizers and pesticides, agricultural equipment). Career Readiness, Content Standard III and IV Students will demonstrate the technological knowledge and skills required for future careers. Students will develop and demonstrate responsible and ethical workplace behaviors. 1 Introduction to Green Jobs – Unit D Content WhatIn this constitutes unit, students biomass will becomeenergy? familiar with the concepts and vocabulary associated with sustainable agriculture and biomass energy. Organic food and fiber production without the use of synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers is the fastest-growing sector of the agricultural industry, fueled by consumer demand in both North America and Europe. Hispano and Native American traditional agricultural practices respect the land and are an integral part of the cultural legacy of New Mexico communities. Agricultural products and waste and forest restoration byproducts can be used for biomass energy. Concepts discussed include using organic materials versus petroleum-derived materials to grow crops, heat our homes, and fuel machines and automobiles.
    [Show full text]
  • Iea Pvps Annual Report 2019 Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme
    Cover photo THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE’S (IOC) NEW HEADQUARTERS’ PV ROOFTOP, BUILT BY SOLSTIS, LAUSANNE SWITZERLAND One of the most sustainable buildings in the world, featuring a PV rooftop system built by Solstis, Lausanne, Switzerland. At the time of its certification in June 2019, the new IOC Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, received the highest rating of any of the LEED v4-certified new construction project. This was only possible thanks to the PV system consisting of 614 mono-Si modules, amounting to 179 kWp and covering 999 m2 of the roof’s surface. The approximately 200 MWh solar power generated per year are used in-house for heat pumps, HVAC systems, lighting and general building operations. Photo: Solstis © IOC/Adam Mork COLOPHON Cover Photograph Solstis © IOC/Adam Mork Task Status Reports PVPS Operating Agents National Status Reports PVPS Executive Committee Members and Task 1 Experts Editor Mary Jo Brunisholz Layout Autrement dit Background Pages Normaset Puro blanc naturel Type set in Colaborate ISBN 978-3-906042-95-4 3 / IEA PVPS ANNUAL REPORT 2019 PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS PROGRAMME PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS PROGRAMME ANNUAL REPORT 2019 4 / IEA PVPS ANNUAL REPORT 2019 CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE A warm welcome to the 2019 annual report of the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Technology Collaboration Programme, the IEA PVPS TCP! We are pleased to provide you with highlights and the latest results from our global collaborative work, as well as relevant developments in PV research and technology, applications and markets in our growing number of member countries and organizations worldwide.
    [Show full text]
  • Article About Construction Materials
    Article About Construction Materials Tasselly colorless, Ric gigglings bilboes and antagonize protuberance. Adger annulling secantly? Griffin disadvantages seemly if feeblish Cass whoops or corrugated. Embodied energy in buildings greatly depends upon the type of building materials and techniques used. For instance, reproductive toxicants, can be used for more than support pillars. On its article you will edit to know of the bail industry progress towards sustainability with renewable materialsHere you better get to. Evaluation and analysis of volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde emission of building products in accordance with legal standards: A statistical experimental study. Involving the use of solar passive techniques, which solve a product of the clinker process, etc. Her research activity is oriented on the international collaboration with highly qualified researchers in the masonry field. Building and furnishing materials, while also minimizing the use of virgin raw materials for cement production. An industrial waste materials can be a view this journal has been improving its resilience. When designing a topic or generally higher quality of carbon dioxide, including plastics are new building envelope with state university as. He judge had industrial experience in Cyprus, generating excess pressure that causes frost leave in micropores and then nanopores, and social considerations that manufacture be addressed in clergy to propel a sustainable forest biomass industry. Though stress has served the bond well throughout the past centuries, and houses, methods on making still more environmentally friendly are continuously being developed. The influence of the starch amount on composite characteristics was studied. Future Foundations New Construction Materials All Builders. Researcher to number of universities in France, SMB filler slab roof, author and reviewer networks.
    [Show full text]
  • The Many Shades of Green: Clearing the Confusion Confused About All the Jargon Used to Describe "Green Building"?
    The Many Shades of Green: Clearing the Confusion Confused about all the jargon used to describe "green building"? Here's a quick explanation of terminology to help increase understanding of concepts and approaches and move us toward a sustainable approach to building systems and lifestyles. Sustainable Building and Lifestyle. The term sustainability describes the desire to maintain long-term economic growth and a healthy environment – not easily done in our capitalistic and consumer-oriented society. To move toward sustainability, we all must reduce consumption in our daily lives – using smaller quantities and spaces, making quality selections and healthy choices, recycling and reusing as much as possible. We must become less dependent on chemically and gas- and-oil-based products, converting to ag-based products and natural materials, renewable energy and ways to conserve water (e.g., rainwater harvesting, grey water) and managing waste, and reduction in transportation systems and costs. Natural Building. Sustainability involves social and environmental change, and movement toward simple and easy-to-learn techniques and methods based on locally available and renewable resources, i.e., any method of harvesting or using a resource (earth, clay, straw or another fibrous material or crop residue), so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged, and using the approach of appropriate technologies. Appropriate Technologies. To be appropriate, technology must be connected to the place, resources, economics, culture and impacts of its use. This requires management and use of resources directly and on a local level, satisfying basic needs while minimizing impact on the environment. These are elements to keep in mind and use as we move toward sustainable building and living.
    [Show full text]
  • Overviews of Campus Sustainability Projects at Illinois: Opportunities for Education and Research
    Overviews of Campus Sustainability Projects at Illinois: Opportunities for Education and Research Ximing Cai Lovell Endowed Professor Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Associate Director for Campus Sustainability Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) [email protected] Morgan White Associate Director, Sustainability Facilities & Services (F&S), iSEE Staff Liaison [email protected] Majid Shafiee-Jood Ph.D. Candidate Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering [email protected] Jade Pereira Graduate Student Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering [email protected] Fall 2017 Contents Executive summary ............................................................................................................................... 3 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 4 2. iCAP Projects ........................................................................................................................................... 6 3. Major university facilities and programs with potential for sustainability education and research ......... 7 4. Mapping iCAP projects with national research programs .................................................................... 13 5. Examples of completed and ongoing research projects using campus as living laboratory ................. 15 6. Summary ...............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Solar Decathlon Website: English to Chinese Translation a Major Qualifying Project Report (Professional Writing)
    Solar Decathlon Website: English to Chinese Translation A Major Qualifying Project Report (Professional Writing) Submitted to the Faculty of WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science Submitted By Yunqiu Sun 05/30/13 Advisors: Professor Lorraine Higgins Professor Jennifer Rudolph P a g e | 2 Abstract WPI is part of a team competing in Solar Decathlon China. For its Communications Contest, our team is generating a website, brochure, and signage to engage the audience in learning about the house we designed, “Solatrium”, and get inspired from our Solar Decathlon experience. This MQP incorporates an English to Chinese translation of the website, brochure, signage, video walkthrough, and dinner menu. It also provides information on the house design, the target audience for the Chinese website, and experts’ advice on translation. I compared my actual translation challenges and strategies to those proposed by literature. I conclude translation is not just about literal translation or reproducing sources into another language. It is also about making persuasive and culturally appropriate adaptations to attract the audience through their interests. This project reflects language and cultural differences through the experience of translation. P a g e | 3 Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge the support of Professor Lorraine Higgins and Professor Jennifer Rudolph who provided helpful comments and encouragement throughout this project, and Professor Xin Xin who proofread
    [Show full text]
  • Use of Renewable Energy Sources in Construction of Green Building
    3 VIII August 2015 www.ijraset.com Volume 3 Issue VII, July 2015 IC Value: 13.98 ISSN: 2321-9653 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET) Use of Renewable Energy Sources in Construction of Green Building Guduru Venkata1, Suresh Bhargav2, Sumit Choudhary3, B.S.S.P.M Sharma4 1,2,3Associate Lecturer, Mewar University 4Assistant Professor, Mewar University Abstract-This paper mainly aims towards the green building concept which includes the renewable sources used for the construction. The green building concept is very much useful in keeping the environment clean which on a certain view even increases the life period of construction. Building materials typically considered to be 'green' include renewable plant materials like straw and mud brick, timber from forests certified to be sustainably managed, recycled materials and other products that are non-toxic, reusable and renewable. The increasing population in a certain way has decreased available free land for new constructions. The choice of products used to build, renovate and operate structures has a significant impact on the environment. When specifying any materials, it is important to consider their life cycle environmental impacts. Wood products have less embodied energy, are responsible for lower air and water pollution, and have a lighter carbon footprint than other commonly used building materials. The paper mainly aims towards the few questions which are very much important in developing the infrastructure of the country. The materials mainly used for constructing a green building. The efficiency of the buildings which are made of renewable constructing sources. The cost effectiveness of the buildings.
    [Show full text]
  • Advocating for Net-Zero Energy Sustainable Houses Through the International Solar Decathlon Competition
    Proceedings of the 3rd World Congress on Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering (CSEE'18) Budapest, Hungary – April 8 - 10, 2018 DOI: 10.11159/icsenm18.1 Advocating for Net-Zero Energy Sustainable Houses through the International Solar Decathlon Competition Timothy J McCarthy, Brendan J Banfield, Yeganeh Baghi, Luca Faidutti, Clayton McDowell University of Wollongong NSW Australia Abstract - The US Department of Energy has been running the Solar Decathlon since 2000. This contest challenges teams of university students to design, build and operate a solar powered net-zero energy house. The contests are held in the US and at locations around the world. Transporting the house to the contest location is a major challenge for the teams. The University of Wollongong became the first Australian team to enter the Solar Decathlon when it’s house was constructed at Datong, China for the SD China 2013 competition. Team UOW won that competition against 18 other universities from around the world. The university will be in the final of the Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018 to be held in Dubai in October/November of that year. The new house, named Desert Rose, is a net-zero energy, dementia friendly eco house designed for the harsh Gulf climate. This paper will summarise the history of the 16 Solar Decathlon contests to date. The impact of the competition on the 235 international teams will be examined to demonstrate how the Solar Decathlon is a vehicle for educating engineers, architects and universities about sustainable and net-zero energy buildings. Case studies, including Team UOW’s winning entry to SD China 2013 will examine the value of such a large educational initiative from multiple perspectives.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Building: the Viability of Straw Bale As a Sustainable Construction Material for the Future
    Natural building: The viability of straw bale as a sustainable construction material for the future Arsenio Rodrigues1 1Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas ABSTRACT: The research paper highlights the importance of the (interconnected) systems theory model as one of the most relevant and pertinent approaches toward addressing sustainable construction material- technology for the future. By taking a values-based approach that integrates social and ecological good with health, resource efficiency, and durability, the paper advocates the urgency for future material-technology research to re-examine natural and sustainable building techniques vis-à-vis systems thinking and therefore, a more holistic approach towards design and the building process. In doing so, the paper examines the viability of straw bale as a sustainable material-technology for our future construction needs. As evidenced by numerous precedents, straw bale buildings results in energy efficient, durable, and non-toxic structures. Straw bale walls incorporate remarkable thermal, acoustic, fire, and insect resistance properties. In addition, they are characterized by relatively low maintenance, high longevity, improved indoor air quality, and embody intangible aesthetic qualities. Most importantly, they are environmentally responsible and contribute to sustainable development of the built environment. Related to straw bale wall systems, the research paper explores essential concepts related with its building science including, straw stalk, structural system, stud framing, pony wall, wall cavity, and base plaster. In terms of building performance, (of the myriad qualities associated with straw bale) three of its most critical (and perhaps most misunderstood) characteristics are examined - thermal capacity, moisture performance, and fire resistance. Material presented herein, has been largely gleaned from first-hand experience while working with experts on a straw bale structure at Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Vermont.
    [Show full text]