Strawbale construction case study at Plain Green 2008

1. many bales : one house
history and examples of straw bale construction
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2. history
history
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3. history
history
• people throughout history built
with what was available
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4. history
history
• people throughout history built
with what was available
• late 1800’s with invention of
horse/steam balers
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5. history
history
• people throughout history built
with what was available
• late 1800’s with invention of
horse/steam balers
• 1886-87 first recorded structure
was a schoolhouse near Scotts
Bluff, NE
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6. history
history
• people throughout history built
with what was available
• late 1800’s with invention of
horse/steam balers
• 1886-87 first recorded structure
was a schoolhouse near Scotts
Bluff, NE
• burke homestead built in 1903
and occupied until 1956 and is
still standing today - no
maintenance for 60 years
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7. why straw?
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8. why straw?
• waste products
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9. why straw?
• waste products
• energy efficiency
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10. why straw?
• waste products
• energy efficiency
• sustainability
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11. why straw?
• waste products
• energy efficiency
• sustainability
20 year life cycle cost:
(energy/maintenance)
1375 s.f. 3 bdrm, 2 bath
conventional: straw bale:
$36,000 $18,000
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12. common questions…
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13. common questions…
• durability
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14. common questions…
• durability
• supports in walls
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15. common questions…
• durability
• supports in walls
• vermin
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16. common questions…
• durability
• supports in walls
• vermin
• fire
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17. common questions…
• durability
• supports in walls
• vermin
• fire
• load capacity
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18. building process/examples
McCrory Gardens, Red Feather Development Group
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19. foundations
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20. roof bearing assembly (RBA)
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21. toe up
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22. window / door bucks
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23. stacking straw
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24. RBA / roof trusses
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25. living roof
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26. prepping for stucco
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27. stucco
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28. come visit
Children’s Outdoor Classroom
McCrory Gardens, Brookings, SD
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