Re:360 reasons to build with SB

["Huff 'n' Puff Constructions" <huffnpuff@shoal.net.au>]

G' Day Bill

> In code enforced areas in the United States, at least, strawbale is not any
> cheaper than standard construction. I hear fairly realistic numbers around
> 40 to $65/sq. ft, *not* counting all the owner builder labor, for

Mate I agree with your figures and add that reasonable expectations would have
to be in the order that you have mentioned, still competitive with brick veneer
homes BUT the crux of the matter is your building codes and you need to get
load bearing accepted throughout your country because as you are all aware
(those that are on the list are always aware), the USA alone will be building
some 38 million new homes over the next twelve or so years.  That is a lot of
embodied energy.  Lots of potential here to get it right but not so much time.

> Time is money.  Labor time should at least be acknowledged, so newbies have
> an inkling of what they may be getting themselves into.

OK I will agree but something is missing in our fabric of the so called western
way of life when a group of villagers cannot help each other without payment.
That is the way we live I suppose and that calls for a complete sea change in
our thinking as a society.  How many of us know the bloke next door?  How many
of us still work indirectly for the banks?

> The unavoidable costs of some type of foundation, roof, plaster, etc,
> (especially in snow country) are why building small is so important if you
> want to keep costs down.

Yes I agree but I still cannot help thinking that we can use rubber tyres and
stuff like that for our footings as explained in a previous message on this
subject.  Do not want to flog a dead horse but as DE said to us he does not
care what you build out of if the shelter you are building is SMALL build it
from whatever you like as the impact you have will be small, and so on.

Performance based codes such as the Building Code of Australia is one way to
overcome stringent litigation type codes unless you are in earthquake prone
California I suppose.  Reem Farhat our visitor form San Francisco is still
wondering how I get away with the methods that I use but they work are strong
and my engineer has no problems with the certification.

At least we are talking and I will continue to push my small barrow for as long
as it takes for the message to get through in our mad society.

The Straw Wolf.