Re: [strawbale] Progress and questions

["la maison en paille" <la-maison-en-paille.com@laposte...>]

Dear Attila,

Machines:
The scandinavians use an Italian machine to project clay to the walls. It is
powered by big compressor. They also use a huge mixer that has an 'arm'
mixing the mud. Like Harald says, expensive machinery, and what's more, not
that easy on the body either.
Loud noise and  heavy on the wrists and back.
The work we did in India taught me that keeping the heavy things on the
floor for mixing makes a lot of sense. Lifting up heavy stuff needs a lot of
(human?) energy.
We only lifted and transported the mud once it was mixed (right next to the
house)
True, machines can make work faster and therefor cheaper, but it won't give
you the same engery in the house as a mudplaster that is applied with love
:-)

Chimney:
The Black Range Lodge used a straw mud mixture to build up the chimney.
After an extreemly long and hot fire the chimney transferred the fire. It
seems that the straw in the mud must have burned away and created a passage
through the chimney wall. I just want to warn about using straw in danger
zones. Arround a chimney can be one of those danger zones so make sure it is
a 100% fire proof, it would be a shame to have one little detail set a straw
insulated roof to fire. Take Care.

Good luck with the progress,
Andre

> Hi All,
>
> Strawbuildings are growing like mushrooms in Hungary. Two weeks ago I had
> reported 2 buildings in progress plus 1 in plan and 1 in dream phase.
> Now we have 3 in progress, 3 with nearly finished plans and 1 in dream
> phase. And now we have two proto-companies involved in straw-building.
> In the next 4 weeks we will hold 3 lectures, 2 of them in summer festivals
> with small demo structures...
>
> While I was designing the 2 smallest one and consulting for a larger
> structure I was faced some questions:
>
> * How do one crosses a chimney and a strawbale wall or a strawbale
>   insulated ceiling or roof. According to the hungarian regulation
>   no flammable material (wood eg.) can be placed closer then 12 cm
>   to the surface of the chimney. Does mineral fiber work?
>
> * Does anyone know a machine (or idea of a machine) capable of
>   applying earth based plasters on the straw wall beside the human
>   hand?
>
> * What is the fastest and cheapest way to purchase books like
>   Serious Straw Bale, or Beauty of Strow Homes? Shall we try
>   Amazon, or can we find a European bookstore?
>
> * Martin: If I remember correctly you are experienced with
>   precompressing load bearing walls using baloons. What kind of
>   baloon can fit this purpose?
>
> Attila
>
> >8*O:    2 is not equal to 3 -- not even for large values of 2.
>