SB: Re:Earthsweet in Vt

[Charmaine R Taylor <tms@northcoast.com>]

Hi- Here is the article as it appeared in 1997-98 on their website.

Charmaine Taylor
http://www.dirtcheapbuilder.com


____________________
Earthsweethome,98 Falk Road, East Dummerston, VT. 05346 (802)254-7674,
email: earthswt@sover.net, web: www.envirolink.org/orgs/earthsweet
©1996-97 EARTHSWEETHOME
reproduced with permission.


Juliet Cuming or David Shaw
The Earth Sweet Home House is an experimental residential home in
Southern Vermont. Here is some information about the Building Site and
Structure.  Virtually all the materials used in the Foundation, Frame,
Roof, Walls, and Interiors are Òall naturalÓ and come from within 30
miles of the building site. We have avoided, wherever possible, the use
of any concrete, plastics, or synthetics and minimized the use of energy
intensive materials.
The building is a Straw Bale house and utilizes traditional lime and mud
plasters on the exterior and interior walls.  All technologies and
systems used in the house will be monitored regularly. Data will be
collected for the purpose of increasing the acceptability of all the
technologies used- this data will be made available to those
organizations seeking to develop building codes and regulations. The
temperature, humidity, air quality, and energy usage will by
continuously monitored.

THE BUILDING - A 2 story timber frame structure. The timber frame has
been wrapped with straw bales making 18" thick walls before plastering.
Insulation comes primarily from Straw Bales (R45). Straw was used in
walls and above the second floor ceiling. Our goal was to create a
totally breathing building that will allow any moisture from
condensation that builds up inside to escape easily. ( Important in a
climate where it can be 30 below in the winter!) All wall finishes allow
the walls to breathe (Lime plaster, Mud Plaster, Natural Paints). Above
all we wish to avoid the moisture and indoor air quality problems that
have plagued super insulated homes in colder climates.

THE FOUNDATION - Built the old fashioned way of dry laid stone - the
foundation is over 2' wide to accommodate the timber frame and 18" thick
bale walls. All stone used in the foundation was recycled from stone
walls located on the property. Built half on ledge the house has a crawl
space and partial basement which will initially be left raw to be used
as a root cellar and unheated storage. The partial basement will
function as a natural layer of insulation.  Because the straw bale walls
must be protected from moisture the stone foundation extends above grade
and the sill and first course of bales sit on a natural moisture
barrier- a layer of rot resistant black locust which allows air to pass
between bales and stone. Between the basement/crawl space and the first
floor we insulated using a recycled cotton insulation with R30.

THE ROOF SYSTEM - The Hip roof, with overhangs on all four sides, is
shingled with eastern cedar shingles. To keep the roof cool and prevent
ice dams we used soffit vents; a roof rake will be used to keep snow
buildup from becoming excessive.  The ceiling above the second floor has
been heavily insulated with straw to at least R60.

FLOOR PLAN - The house is a basic rectangle with interior dimensions of
22' by 47' (Exterior dimensions -assuming 18"- thick bale walls are 25'
x 50'). The long sides face North and South - very few windows on the
North give shelter from the cold and wind. Many more windows to the
South maximize solar gain and views. Windows on the East and West sides
are crucial for cross ventilation during hot humid summers. All windows
are triple glazed high efficiency glass with a center of glass R value
of 9.  We have made the building basically one room deep to maximize
winter sun penetration.

UTILITIES - Electricity is all generated on site with a wind turbine and
solar panels. Using the on site high winds in late Fall, Winter and
early Spring, and direct Sun in late Spring, Summer and Early fall this
hybrid system takes advantage of two natural resources to generate
electricity in a climate that can rarely rely only on Solar.  Super
energy efficient appliances -electrical Asko washing machine and
dishwasher and Sunfrost refrigerator, and low voltage ceiling lighting
are used throughout. Hot water is preheated using a solar hot water
heater and/or the Masonry heater. Further water heating is accomplished
using an Aquastar propane powered ÒOn-DemandÓ Tankless hot water
heater.  The Masonry heater is currently the sole source of heat- we do
plan to have backup in which the Masonry heater will also be used to
heat water for Radiant flooring. (Tubes will be configured to minimize
the traditional ill effects of underground water lines).

WATER TREATMENT - We have a constructed wetland for sewage treatment.

Earthsweethome,98 Falk Road, East Dummerston, VT. 05346 (802)254-7674,
email: earthswt@sover.net, web: www.envirolink.org/orgs/earthsweet
©1996-97 EARTHSWEETHOME
reproduced with permission.


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