A good friend of mine informed me of this Tennessee Green Building event this coming weekend and I wanted to pass it along. This is a great way to learn a bit about green building while getting to meet new people. This event is certainly more than switching out light bulbs or taking your bottles and cans to the recycling bin.
There is gonna be a "wall Raising" of straw bale construction this Saturday outside Portland, TN. Volunteers are needed to build the wall and help out with this event. This is a free event. Please get there as soon after 8 a.m. as possible. Certainly arrive by noon. Food will be served to the helpers! Bring gloves, goggles, and drinking water. RSVP ASAP to help meal planners.
The architect, Howard Switzer, is the organizer for this event. He has built several of these homes in Tennessee. He is looking forward to designing one to be built in Davidson County.. giving Davidson County Codes something Green to chew on. So gang, if you think you might want to build a very green place of your own in the country, or build a home or addition in the city, this meetup is for you! Explore this relatively inexpensive building alternative!
Announcing a new Meetup for Cumberland Green Bioregional Council!
What: Hands on Building House Walls with Straw Bale Construction
When: August 30, 2008 8:00 AM
Where: Click the link below to find out!
When: August 30, 2008 8:00 AM
Where: Click the link below to find out!
Meetup Description: This event is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy group camaraderie and learn about an alternative construction technique while lending a hand building straw bale walls on a house project by Architect Howard Switzer http://www.earthandstraw.com/.
Lunch will be provided for helpers. This project is in a rural setting on Katrina Hay's homestead outside of Portland TN (the map link on this site isn't going to work. You will need to copy address and zip into map browser)Driving Directions are below
Here are benefits of straw bale construction
Excellent insulation— plastered straw bale walls have an insulation rating of R30-35
Plastered straw bales have a Class A fire rating—straw bale walls offer a 2 hour fire wall. This is the level of protection required by codes for stairwells in high-rise buildings.
Easy to install— large “building blocks” stack easily
Beautiful deep window sills— good for window seats and growing plants
Uses a “waste” product— most straw in the United States is burned creating a high particulate pollutant. Enough straw is burned in the US every year to build 2-3 million homes.
Sequesters carbon— the carbon absorbed throughout the straw’s growing cycle is sequestered in the wall rather than released into the air through burning.
Excellent insulation— plastered straw bale walls have an insulation rating of R30-35
Plastered straw bales have a Class A fire rating—straw bale walls offer a 2 hour fire wall. This is the level of protection required by codes for stairwells in high-rise buildings.
Easy to install— large “building blocks” stack easily
Beautiful deep window sills— good for window seats and growing plants
Uses a “waste” product— most straw in the United States is burned creating a high particulate pollutant. Enough straw is burned in the US every year to build 2-3 million homes.
Sequesters carbon— the carbon absorbed throughout the straw’s growing cycle is sequestered in the wall rather than released into the air through burning.
Please RSVP ASAP to help with planning or contact Howard by email or phone 931-589-6513
The date is Saturday, August 30thTime: 8am (come any time before noon)The address is 132 Breeder Road Portland, TN 37148.
The date is Saturday, August 30thTime: 8am (come any time before noon)The address is 132 Breeder Road Portland, TN 37148.
Driving DirectionsTake I 65 North to Exit 117, turn right onto Highway 52 off the ramp, turn left at the four way stop onto Highway 31W. turn right onto old Highway 31 W # 3 across from the weigh station, turn right on Scattersville Road and go .7 miles, turn left onto Breeder Road, turn right into the first driveway.
Bring gloves, dust mask, eye protection...Bring your own drinking water (There is no running water on this project site) there is a porta potty...
Learn more here:http://ecology.meetup.com/34/calendar/8619133/
