GBlist: RE: can we build without cutting trees

["Tom Ravey" <starkrav@kdsi.net>]

Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2000 19:59:43 +0000
From: Matthew Weinreb <mwphoto@mac.com>
Subject: GBlist: re: can we build without cutting trees

Clifton Perry info and links on thermal mass construction are fascinating
however, as with so much on the web, all the info tends to be US-centric.
I am about to build a house in SW France where in summer the outside
temperature can easily be 95deg, but in winter the house can often require
heating day and night for say four to five months of the year, albeit with
a lot of sunshine.  So, I am confused as to whether I can benefit from using
ACC (or a similar local equivalent,) or whether I should go with a
conventional open block arrangement and insulate the building on the inside.
ACC sounds environmentally friendly which is very important to me, and also,
considerably easier to build, but I need to get this right.
If anybody can set me on the right course I would be most grateful, also if
anybody can suggest a good ACC equivalent available in France...
Many thanks
Matthew Weinreb

*****************************************

Dear Matthew,

I just returned from a month long course with CRATerre
(http://www.craterre.archi.fr/) in Grenoble, France. If you're serious, then
you definitely should contact this group. In my opinion, they have more
knowledge than any organization in the world when it comes to earth
construction. You are building in an area that has a 200 year old tradition
of building with earth. You owe it to yourself to find out from the world's
experts what is known about traditional mass construction, especially in
France.

Regards,

Tom Ravey

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