Message-ID: <32bd50e267f1002@mhub1.tc.umn.edu> Date: Sun, 22 Dec 1996 09:16:51 -0600 From: "Patrick L. Pierquet" <mailto:Patrick.L.Pierquet-1@TC.UMN.EDU> Subject: Plastered strawbale construction To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
I am a graduate student in Building Science, at the University of Minnesota, in the USA. I have a special interest in "alternative" building materials, low-tech, do-it-yourself building systems, etc. As some of you may know, in the USA there has been a great amount of interest in building homes using bales of straw as the wall material; the strawbale walls are covered with woven wire, then stucco is applied to the outside, and plaster on the inside. It is a system that, I believe, has great promise for low-cost, energy-efficient housing. This building system originated in the western Great Plains of the USA, which is a "semi-arid" region, and most of the research on this building system has taken place in the southwestern US(again, an arid region). If "plastered strawbale" construction is to be more widely accepted, it must be demonstrated that these buildings can be durable even in more humid regions.For my PhD work, I am planning a research project that would investigate the performance of alternative strawbale wall systems in our cold climate. The objective is to devise construction details that would ensure the durability of the strawbale structure, in non-arid climates. If this were done, there are many regions of the developing world where strawbale construction could be used.
I will be applying for a research grant to do this work. My grant application would be greatly assisted if I could show there is interest, somewhere in the developing countries, in this type of house construction. Can any of you put me in touch with other research organizations, ngo's, and/or individuals, who might be interested in plastered strawbale house construction? This system of construction is most applicable where small grains are grown in abundance, and straw is cheaply available. In addition, I also think it is most appropriate in cold continental climates, similar to Minnesota and the Upper Midwest of the USA.......perhaps areas such as the former Soviet Union, the Ukraine, or Eastern Europe. Any assistance or advice you could offer, would be most appreciated! And if people on this list are interested, I'll keep you posted on the progress of this research project.
Patrick Pierquet (my email address: mailto:pier0075@gold.tc.umn.edu) University of Minnesota Cold Climate Housing Center 2004 Folwell Ave. St. Paul, MN 55108 USA