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It is. When Kate renovated my house in California she built a retaining wall out of it. That could be a good way for this technology to get a foot in the door
by pg 18y ago
It is. When Kate renovated my house in California she
built a retaining wall out of it. That could be a good way for this technology to get a foot in the door in the US.
Another option that might work even better in the US is straw bale adobe:
http://www.buildingwithawareness.com/house1.html http://www.buildingwithawareness.com/house1.html
I believe the reason Kate & Co. went with Eco-Domes for Darfur was that they couldn't count on finding anything there except dirt. But there is lots of straw in the US.
- ensignavenger 18y agoHowever, straw burns- and mildews, rather easily. I'm sure they have ways to minimize the negative consequences of this, but I think the dirt houses may be easier? What do they use for roofing on the Eco-Domes?
- mkn 18y agoActually, straw bales burn very poorly. When locked away behind a layer of stucco, even more poorly. Ditto for mildew. The earthquake resistance, pest resistance, and insulating qualities of straw bale construction are mind-blowing.
- ensignavenger 18y agoOkay, I can agree with a tightly bailed bail of hay not burning (as long as it stays tight) but mildew? I've seen a lot of mildewed hay in my life. Living in a farming community, I know the importance of keeping your hay dry. Of course, I'm not totally familiar with the construction techniques- if you have any links you'd recommend, I'd be willing to read up on it.