Straw bale construction in the Mid-Atlantic region

Conference · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:361858

Fisher, T A ^[1]

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1. Environmental Design Collaborative, Charlottesville, VA (United States)

Straw bale construction is experiencing a renaissance of interest in semi arid regions of the American Southwest, Australia and New Zealand. It is now gaining increasing attention in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic region with several projects using straw bales now built. A high thermal resistance (R-value), low cost, and a non-toxic by-product of grain agriculture make straw bales an ideal Green or environmentally responsible building material. It is also an aesthetically pleasing material lending itself to soft curvature in building form, finishes and deep window recesses. Common concerns involving pest infestation, rot and mildew and structural stability have been responsibly addressed by both construction and academic professionals. Specific concerns of the Southeast and Mid Atlantic region involve cost effective foundation systems, moisture vapor migration, condensation and building detailing for a moist climate.

• OSTI ID: 361858
• Report Number(s): CONF-970441--; ISBN 0-89553-212-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
AUSTRALIA
BUILDING MATERIALS
NEW ZEALAND
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
STRAW
USA
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION