straw bale construction: harvesting its potential as an … · the truths about strawbale •...
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Straw‐Bale Construction:Harvesting Its Potential as anAffordable Energy EfficientAffordable, Energy‐EfficientBuilding StrategyJune 20, 2008
Sandy WigginsSandy WigginsPrincipal, Consilience LLCImmediate Past Chair, U.S. Green Building Council
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Why Bother?Why Bother?
• Strengthen local economiesStrengthen local economies• Jobs in both agriculture and construction• Local self reliance• Local self reliance• Protection from rising energy pricesE i d d• Energy independence
• Climate change• Indoor environmental quality• Aesthetic beauty
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Aerzen Project PrinciplesAerzen Project Principles
• Design from the inside‐outDesign from the inside out
• Improve working conditions for all
• Express Aerzen's focus on efficiency innovation and• Express Aerzen's focus on efficiency, innovation, and continual improvement
R t b t ti f & i d i• Represent best practices of green & organic design
• Foster connections among employees
• Respect the land and the surrounding community
SINCE 18646/20/2008
Aerzen Project PrinciplesAerzen Project Principles
• Design from the inside‐outDesign from the inside out
• Improve working conditions for all
• Express Aerzen's focus on efficiency innovation and• Express Aerzen's focus on efficiency, innovation, and continual improvement
R t b t ti f & i d i• Represent best practices of green & organic design
• Foster connections among employees
• Respect the land and the surrounding community
SINCE 18646/20/2008
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ObstaclesObstacles• Resistance from from local regulatory agencies
d d ffi i land code officials
• Lack of knowledge in design community
• Lack of technical skills in local labor force
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Documented 41% reduction in energy
SINCE 1864
consumption over conventional construction
Aerzen USA – Coatesville, PA6/20/2008
The Truths about StrawbaleThe Truths about Strawbale• Strawbale is an economically viable, safe, and appropriate
building material in many regions of the country
• Strawbale construction builds local economies by creating skilled labor jobs in both the agricultural and construction sectors
• Strawbale with natural plasters contributes to superior indoor air quality, which has a proven beneficial impact on human health and productivityand productivity
• Strawbale’s superior insulation values dramatically reduce energy consumption, protecting businesses and homeowners from rising p p g genergy prices and reducing our dependence on foreign oil
• Strawbale’s low embodied energy, sequestered carbon content, and insulation value make it a potentially significant tool for lowering our country’s greenhouse gas emissions
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