SB: SB in Sri Lanka (was Re:Please join to discuss.)

["Robert W. Tom" <ArchiLogic@yahoo.ca>]

5/24/02 11:19:32 PM, trkrice <trkarice@sltnet.lk> wrote:

>I'm a young rice miller in srilanka, and a university student.

>1]  Are there any institution in the world , to have 
>knowledge and financial support for straw bale constructions.
>
> 2]Could I found a any person or group or organization to  arrange a Join 
>venture for above purpose.
>
>3]Could I arrange a "discussion" in this discussion group ,for have a any 
>effort.
>
>4]If any thing cant arrange for this purpose , 
>what is the best alternative for these  sraws.{ I mean do some thing 
>with out burning]
>Tharaka Herath. 


Greetings Tharaka;

I had to look at an atlas to learn where Sri Lanka is located. That should 
provide you with an indication of my level of knowledge about the Sri Lankan 
climate. (None).

However, given your proximity to the equator and the fact that the country is 
completely surrounded by ocean, one assumes that high temperatures, high 
humidity and copious amounts of rain would be the characteristics that define 
your climatic considerations and as such, straw bales would not be the material 
choice that immediately come to my mind for the walls.

That being said, I can tell you that the United Nations (UNEDP ?) and a couple 
of church organisations (Seventh Day Adventists and Mennonites, whose acronyms 
also escape me at the moment) have been involved in a number of multi-million$ 
SB housing projects in Mongolia and northern China... cold climate regions where 
the superinsulation qualities of SB walls will help to significantly reduce fuel 
consumed for space heating, thereby bestowing the numerous benefits that are 
reaped as a result.

In the case of Sri Lanka, it appears that the scenario would be closer to that 
of California, where the primary motivation for using straw is to reduce air 
pollution by not burning the straw that is a byproduct of the rice growing 
industry. I'm sure that the Californians on this List can speak more 
knowledgably/accurately than I on this matter but I think that the impetus to 
promote the use of straw has come from the Rice Growers Association and SB 
building enthusiasts rather than from aid agencies and govt.

I suspect that in order to introduce SB construction to Sri Lanka, it will have 
to be through private initiative... ie find a client or sponsor that is willing 
to build one... and then use that as a demonstration project to generate 
interest.

I don't have any idea what the exchange rate for Sri Lankan currency is and I 
have no idea what your material costs might be, but I'm guessing that if you 
make a credible case for SBC in the Sri Lankan climate and can provide the 
humanpower to execute the building project, the financing could be arranged 
through a fundraising project on this List, and it may be that groups like 
Builders Without Borders or CASBA could be encouraged to provide some teaching 
materials.

 
--- * ---
Rob Tom
Kanata, Ontario, Canada
(remove the "chaff" from my edress if you hit "reply")

Please visit http://www.theHungerSite.com daily



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