Design
& Build with Strawbales
Weekend Residential Workshop 17-18 March 2012
11 Formal Hours for Registered Architects as a CPD Activity
Facilitator Frank Thomas
About the Workshop
Our environment has always provided an abundant variety of natural materials
useful for creating safe and comfortable shelter. The first known strawbale
buildings were constructed in the USA in the late 1800s and proved to
be equal if not superior to the standard building materials of the time.
Bale structures ranged from barns and stables to churches and residential
homes proving to be durable, safe and comfortable.
The inherent thickness and curves of strawbales offer the designer a
unique opportunity for expression of walls and structural components.
They take on the appearance of a thick stone or mudbrick elements with
a compelling tactile nature. Their natural plaster finish also provides
a breathability to the building envelope giving healthier internal living
spaces that feel fresh and invigorating.
The
construction system of strawbales (infill or loadbearing) offer endless
possibilities in forming curved or straight walls. Niches, rounded edges
and texture variation all become part of the expressive pallet for creating
beautiful and ecologically sustainable buildings.
Straw is an annually renewing & relative abundant natural material.
In most grain producing regions straw, the long hollow stems of cereal
crops such as wheat, oats, rice & barley', is considered waste that
is discarded. Enormous quantities of straw are produced in Australia
every year. More than half of it is burned, releasing thousands of tonnes
of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Straw is usually regionally available
and requires little or no industrial processing giving it's very low
embodied energy. Strawbale buildings also require considerable less
timber and other building materials making it an economically viable
alternative construction system.
Topics Covered
Background of natural building materials
Sustainable properties of strawbale buildings
Construction systems and details
Design and aesthetics of strawbales
Examples and projects
Standards and Council Approvals
The weekend will incorporate presentations and construction of a small
strawbale structure. There will also be plenty of time for informal
exchanges with the presenter and other participants.
Outcomes
Ability to design with strawbales
Appreciation of sustainable qualities of a natural building materials
Hands on experience in constructing with strawbales
Opportunity to share with other professionals
Facilitator - Frank Thomas
After finishing his carpentry/roofing apprenticeship in Germany, Frank
travelled the world as a member of the traditional tradesman guild "Freiheitsschacht".
The aim of the journey was to gain new skills, become an expert tradespern
and extend ones knowledge of cultural, social and political issues of
our world. He became interested in alternative building technologies
around 1986, as part of a team specializing in grass-roof construction
in Europe then participating in a large solar-active/passive mud brick
research project in Delhi, India during 1989/1990 http://www.uni-kassel.de/fb6/fachgebiete/feb/.
Frank has been involved with over 50 strawbale projects including hospitals,
meditation centres, schools and private residences. His Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow
Strawbale Construction Company provides a wide range of sustainable
building services. After more than twenty years of widespread experience
in the building industry his aim is to build healthy, environmentally
friendly and energy efficient houses, emphasizing sustainability and
permaculture principles.
Investment and inclusions
The workshop will commence 9.30am Saturday 17 March and conclude 1pm
Sunday 18 March and will be located in the beautiful bushland retreat
centre in the Southern Highlands, NSW. Accommodation is in twin share
rooms or single rooms with ensuite. Meals are delicious organic vegetarian
cuisine with morning and afternoon teas included. For rates and registration
details
see here. More detailed information on what to bring and
directions will be provided on registration. Register
here. For transport to workshop by train see
here.
