New Meetup: Hands on Building House Walls with Straw Bale Construction

[Ghost in the Machine]

New Meetup: Hands on Building House Walls with Straw Bale Construction

There is gonna be a "wall Raising" of straw bale construction this Saturday outside Portland, TN. Volunteers are needed to build the wall and help out with this event. This is a free event. Please get there as soon after 8 a.m. as possible. Certainly arrive by noon. Food will be served to the helpers! Bring gloves, goggles, and drinking water. RSVP ASAP to help meal planners.

The architect, Howard Switzer, is the organizer for this event. He has built several of these homes in Tennessee. He is looking forward to designing one to be built in Davidson County.. giving Davidson County Codes something Green to chew on.

So gang, if you think you might want to build a very green place of your own in the country, or build a home or addition in the city, this meetup is for you! Explore this relatively inexpensive building alternative!

Announcing a new Meetup for Cumberland Green Bioregional Council!

What: Hands on Building House Walls with Straw Bale Construction

When: August 30, 2008 8:00 AM

Where: Click the link below to find out!

Meetup Description: This event is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy group camaraderie and learn about an alternative construction technique while lending a hand building straw bale walls on a house project by Architect Howard Switzer http://www.earthandstraw.com/.
Lunch will be provided for helpers.
This project is in a rural setting on Katrina Hay's homestead outside of Portland TN (the map link on this site isn't going to work. You will need to copy address and zip into map browser)
Driving Directions are below

Here are benefits of straw bale construction

Excellent insulation— plastered straw bale walls have an insulation rating of R30-35

Plastered straw bales have a Class A fire rating—straw bale walls offer a 2 hour fire wall. This is the level of protection required by codes for stairwells in high-rise buildings.

Easy to install— large “building blocks” stack easily

Beautiful deep window sills— good for window seats and growing plants

Uses a “waste” product— most straw in the United States is burned creating a high particulate pollutant. Enough straw is burned in the US every year to build 2-3 million homes.

Sequesters carbon— the carbon absorbed throughout the straw’s growing cycle is sequestered in the wall rather than released into the air through burning.

Please RSVP ASAP to help with planning or contact Howard by email or phone [phone]

The date is Saturday, August 30th
Time: 8am (come any time before noon)
The address is 132 Breeder Road Portland, TN 37148.

Driving Directions
Take I 65 North to Exit 117, turn right onto Highway 52 off the ramp, turn left at the four way stop onto Highway 31W. turn right onto old Highway 31 W # 3 across from the weigh station, turn right on Scattersville Road and go .7 miles, turn left onto Breeder Road, turn right into the first driveway.

Bring gloves, dust mask, eye protection...
Bring your own drinking water (There is no running water on this project site) there is a porta potty...

Learn more here:
http://ecology.meetup.com/34/calendar/8619133/

[midnight]

1. I'm so darn jealous. I wish I could take some time off and

participate. I would love to build an addition using an alternative method.

[Ghost in the Machine]

3. Here's another link you might find handy...

My name is Andrew Morrison and welcome to my straw bale building site dedicated to anyone interested in building their own straw bale house. If you are brand new to straw bale or a straw bale construction specialist there's something for you at StrawBale.com.

Click here if you are brand new to straw bale building and want to know the basics about straw bale construction.

I have a ton of free information for you on this site including: Online videos, audio podcasts, straw bale articles, a photo gallery, an online web store, our online green building resource guide, and a full straw bale and green building blog. Be sure to sign up for my e-mail updates and my free 7 day strawbale e-course so we can keep you posted of the latest developments in the ever-changing world of straw bale. Click here for more details.

Thanks for stopping by,
Andrew


http://www.strawbale.com

:hi:

[tuckessee]

2. Very interesting. Are you involved in this?

What kind of turnout do you expect?

[Ghost in the Machine]

4. I'm going to try to attend, but don't know yet if I'll be able to..

I was just made aware of it tonight through a mailing from my son's homeschool list. I use a very liberal homeschool program from The Farm School.

"The Farm School provides alternative education for students taught by qualified members. Our kids are taught to be socially conscious, creative, and critical thinkers. Most importantly, they put what they learn into practice and have a good time doing it.

The philosophy of The Farm School begins with the belief that all kids have a natural desire to learn and grow, and that all aspects of life are considered a part of a person’s education. The students are allowed to pursue their areas of interest, in a relaxed setting of encouragement and with a variety of resources. We use cooperation, not competition as a model. Intimidation and authoritarian means of implementing school programs are not part of the agenda so students have the freedom to be who they are without interference or judgment. We believe knowledge of one’s self, honesty and tolerance are as important a part of a child’s education as academics.

Vision
We envision a world where all people live in peace and harmony with each other and our planet.

Mission
We seek to help our students manifest a peaceful and harmonious world.

Organizational Structure
The Farm School is a consensus-democratic school. We attempt to achieve consensus on all shared decisions and use voting to make decisions when this seems like the most peaceful path to a decision. We make decisions about the daily functioning of the school during school meetings where students and teachers each have equal voice. Our Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA) makes decisions about the daily functioning of the school that require the input of parents. We make decisions specific to individual students during triadic meetings that include a student, her/his advisor and a family member."

http://www.thefarmschool.tv/

[tuckessee]

5. Kick!

[Ghost in the Machine]

6. Thank you..

:kick:

[tuckessee]

7. This should really be a great opportunity to get some hands on experience.

I've always been fascinated by straw bale construction for many reasons - the insulating factor, fire rating, environmental aspects, etc.

Most SB buildings & construction seem to be in the West so having a project going up in the Southeast/Mid South makes for a rare opportunity for those in the Kentucky, Tennessee, North Georgia area.