How to Choose a Plaster System, part 3
This is the third article in a four part series explaining all of the issues surrounding the choice of a plaster system on straw bale walls…
In the previous article we began by exploring the first three parameters in depth. We will continue by exploring the next three parameters and look at the in the context [...]
World Green Building Day – Sept 23, 2009
There is now a World Green Building Day, and it is tomorrow! The World Green Building Council has declared September 23, 2009 as the inaugural day for you, the green builder!
Nations around the globe will be hosting various gatherings, including the USGBC’s Congressional Advocacy Day.
“As the built environment accounts for 40 percent of global carbon [...]
Collecting Rainwater in Colorado
Effective July 1, 2009 the Colorado Division of Water Resources is now overseeing two new laws (online summary) allowing the restricted use of precipitation by landowners. The first bill allows individuals to harvest rainwater and is covered by the new law (SB 09-080). Another bill (HB 09-1129) allows for ten pilot projects consisting of residential [...]
Green Building Insurance?
A few folks at Green Building Law Update have obtained and are analyzing a policy document regarding green building insurance from one of our favorite insurance companies, AIG.
It appears that the policy covers claims that question the “green building” claim of your green building. This is not the type of coverage for residential construction but [...]
ADRA Straw Bale Housing in China
To those of us in the straw bale community this is not a new story, but ongoing coverage is great to see. Kelly Lerner of One World Design has made a huge impact in China and Mongolia by helping the people build bale homes that are far superior to the brick homes common in the [...]
Straw Sculpture of Big Ben
This story is provided for a great chuckle and sobering example of straw bale construction.
Leave it to the Brits to find something to do with straw! A replica of Big Ben, the clock tower, has been built in the countryside. We couldn’t help but highlight this one for its “wow factor.” It is a great [...]
LEED Driven Services – The Chauffagiste
There is much discussion on various forums these days, such as here and here, about the impact LEED is starting to have on designers, developers and owners of certified buildings. De-certification is being discussed as a way for LEED to maintain some teeth post-construction, while LEED already includes building operations in the certification process. It [...]
Top 10 mistakes made by the Owner-Builder
So your thinking of building a house? You are not the type to hire someone else to do it. You need to do it yourself, or at least a significant portion of it on your own. You remodeled the doghouse once so you know how to hit a nail with a hammer. Maybe you built [...]
LEED Now Includes Building Operations
An interesting article in the SF Examiner and a follow up summary at Green Building Law Blog of the updated LEED certification process discuss an interesting new component of LEED certification.
The operations of a building are now being considered as part of the certification process. While this seems like it can be a good thing, [...]
10,000 sf straw bale Audubon building near Little Rock, AR
Audubon Arkansas is completing a 10,000 sf headquarters building that uses straw bales in the walls. The facility will be used as an education center and is adjacent to the Granite Mountian subdivision near Gillam Park. From the article they appear to be using earthen plasters. The article appears on the KUAR public broadcasting website.
How to Choose a Plaster System, part 2
This is the second article in a four part series explaining all of the issues surrounding the choice of a plaster system on straw bale walls…
In the first article of this series we were introduced to a list of parameters that we would use when choosing a plaster system. This article will focus on the [...]
Green Building Litigation
It is the dreaded “L” word. Litigation implies lawsuits and all sorts of things most of us in the green building sector would like to avoid. We tend to think of ourselves as immune to some degree to the consequences of our actions. Disputes will arise on projects, particularly the ones with larger budgets. More [...]
Legal Problems for Building Green? – Harvard Law School Report
A recent report by a Harvard Law School clinic highlights potential legal hazards when building green, but also offers recommendations for avoiding a majority of them. As it turns out, using a good dose of common sense helps! This is a report on large-scale “green” building at the government, institutional and commercial levels. It can [...]
The source of rammed-earth strength
Scientist in the UK have are delving into the strength of rammed-earth walls. It turns out that moisture content, which in turn leads to cohesion at the molecular level, is a most important characteristic. There is an article about the research here which is written by The Northern Echo, a UK publication. [...]
Binghamton selling property for new straw bale home
The City of Binghampton, NY is selling a piece of property that will soon have an affordable straw bale house built on it. The organization Community Potential, Inc., a subsidiary of the Binghamton Housing Authority, will be buying and develop the property. The City of Binghamton will be selling the property for $1.
Follow the link [...]
