5 ms·

Cool idea, the lack of discussion of longevity seems pretty glaring. While we would all love to not cause any stress on the environment, we also have to live th

Cool idea, the lack of discussion of longevity seems pretty glaring. While we would all love to not cause any stress on the environment, we also have to live though heavy rains, snow, and wind. Maybe this structure is designed for dry environment and can with stand a couple of rains a year. >>The architect studied how a building’s shape could impact its efficiency, in relation to its climate and latitude. hopefully someone also studied materials the house is made of, because that seems pretty important. Dirt is a very good insulator of both heat and sound, so maybe they could build something like this a put some sort of shell around it, like siding on current houses, to protect it from weather.

twobitshifter 5y ago
Disposable housing is common in some cultures who value new construction. Having a house naturally erode is better than what happens in Japan for example: [...] the value of the average Japanese house depreciates to zero in 22 years. (It is calculated separately from the land, which is more likely to hold its value.) Most are knocked down and rebuilt. Sales of new homes far outstrip those of used ones, which usually change hands in the expectation that they will be demolished and replaced. In America and Europe second-hand houses accounted for 90% of sales and new-builds for 10% in 2017. In Japan the proportions are the other way around. — The Economist
dakna 5y ago
> Dirt is a very good insulator of both heat and sound Sound yes, heat not so much. While it can store heat due to it's thermal mass, it will release it quickly due to a low R-value, depending on moisture content the R-value could be below 1 per inch. Cellulose has around 3.5 per inch. Without adding additional insulation to restrict thermal transfer, you need to build very thick walls. In sunny desert climates where days are hot and nights are cold, you can build your wall in a way that allows it to go through the heat exchange synced with the 24hr sun cycle, and then it's very efficient. Thinner cob walls need to be wrapped with insulation to slow down heat transfer.
- goda90 5y ago
  From the looks of the video and pictures, they are going with pretty thick walls, and lots of air pockets. The dirt itself might not be the best insulator, but I think the whole wall would do well.
tonyedgecombe 5y ago
It probably needs some kind of render on the outside, lime plaster or something similar. There are old Wattle and Daub[1] houses near me that haven't been washed away by the UK weather. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wattle_and_daub https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wattle_and_daub
turtlebits 5y ago
Theres no reason why existing materials couldn't be use to handle that issue. WRBs, siding, stucco, etc. You could say the same thing for houses now, which are built out of wood...

twobitshifter 5y ago

Disposable housing is common in some cultures who value new construction. Having a house naturally erode is better than what happens in Japan for example: [...] the value of the average Japanese house depreciates to zero in 22 years. (It is calculated separately from the land, which is more likely to hold its value.) Most are knocked down and rebuilt. Sales of new homes far outstrip those of used ones, which usually change hands in the expectation that they will be demolished and replaced. In America and Europe second-hand houses accounted for 90% of sales and new-builds for 10% in 2017. In Japan the proportions are the other way around. — The Economist

dakna 5y ago

> Dirt is a very good insulator of both heat and sound Sound yes, heat not so much. While it can store heat due to it's thermal mass, it will release it quickly due to a low R-value, depending on moisture content the R-value could be below 1 per inch. Cellulose has around 3.5 per inch. Without adding additional insulation to restrict thermal transfer, you need to build very thick walls. In sunny desert climates where days are hot and nights are cold, you can build your wall in a way that allows it to go through the heat exchange synced with the 24hr sun cycle, and then it's very efficient. Thinner cob walls need to be wrapped with insulation to slow down heat transfer.

goda90 5y ago
From the looks of the video and pictures, they are going with pretty thick walls, and lots of air pockets. The dirt itself might not be the best insulator, but I think the whole wall would do well.

tonyedgecombe 5y ago

It probably needs some kind of render on the outside, lime plaster or something similar. There are old Wattle and Daub[1] houses near me that haven't been washed away by the UK weather. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wattle_and_daub https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wattle_and_daub

turtlebits 5y ago

Theres no reason why existing materials couldn't be use to handle that issue. WRBs, siding, stucco, etc. You could say the same thing for houses now, which are built out of wood...