A CASE FOR

GREEN

A Green Evolution
THE FUTURE OF ARCHITECTURE

AND A CASE FOR ‘GREEN’ BUILDINGS

by
ANUPAMA MOHANRAM
M.Arch, LEED® AP

ACROS FUKUOKA BUILDING,

FUKUOKA CITY, JAPAN
Designed by Emilio Ambasz & Associates

A CASE FOR Contents

GREEN 1. GLOBAL WARMING AND THE BUILDING INDUSTRY
PROBLEM OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING
BUILDING INDUSTRY’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROBLEM
ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES TO STEM THE PROBLEM

2. ECO-FRIENDLY AND GREEN ARCHITECTURE

Mud and thatch hut, India
Winning poster, Energy Wizards
Competition
Organized by Cambridge Carbon
Footprint
Natalie Blake, Age9, Cambridge
- A NECESSITY FOR THE FUTURE
THE ROLE OF ARCHITECTS
TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE OF INDIA- A ROLE MODEL
DEFINITIONS OF A ‘GREEN’ BUILDING
EVOLUTION OF LEED- A GREEN RATING FOR BUILDINGS
3. ALTERNATE BUILDING MATERIALS
AND THE LEED® RATING
• MUD AND STRAW AS ALTERNATE BUILDING MATERIALS
• COB AND STRAW BALE- A COMPARISON

4. A WORKSHOP IN QUILCENE
DESCRIPTION OF SETTING
OBJECTIVES
ACTIVITIES
RESULTS- MY EXPERIENCES AND FUTURE PLANS

5. LIMITATIONS OF COB AND STRAW BALE

Adobe home, Santa Fe

6. REFERENCES AND FUN READING

1
 A CASE FOR
Global warming and the
GREEN building industry
THE PROBLEM
CHANGING CLIMACTIC PATTERNS AND GLOBAL
WARMING IN ADDITION TO RAPIDLY DEPLETING
NATURAL RESOURCES SUCH AS WATER, FOSSIL FUELS

Should we not leave our future generations an

earth with adequate resources and
opportunities for development as we have
Global warming- A melting earth?
today?

ROLE OF THE BUILDING INDUSTRY

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION AND
DEMOLITION CONSTITUTES AS MUCH AS 40% OF RAW
MATERIAL USE, 40% OF MATERIALS SENT TO LANDFILLS
AND, BUILDINGS CONSUME AS MUCH AS 40% OF ENERGY
GENERATED- ‘Worldwide Institute’

BUILDINGS GENERATE ALMOST HALF OF THE CO2

Constr4uction waste in a landfill
EMISSIONS THAT CAUSE GLOBAL WARMING.
A PROCESS THAT COULD POSSIBLY HELP
MITIGATE GLOBAL WARMING –ARCHITECTS CLEARLY THE BUILDING INDUSTRY HAS A HUGE IMPACT
AND RESEARCHERS JOINING FORCES WITH ON THE STATE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT
THE BUIDLING INDUSTRY TO PRODUCE
BETTER, CLEANER, GEENER BUIDLINGS

A CASE FOR
Environmental Initiatives
GREEN THE KYOTO PROTOCOL
INTRODUCED BY THE U.N IN 1992, IN EFFECT IN 1997 AND
MADE LEGALLY BINDING IN 2005, IS THE MOST RECENT
INITIATIVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT THAT HAS BEEN
RATIFIED BY 183 NATIONS INCLUDING INDIA.

THE PROTOCOL INTENDS TO ACHIEVE STABILIZATION OF

GREENHOUSE GAS CONCENTRATIONS IN THE
ATMOSPHERE AT A LEVEL THAT WOULD PREVENT
DANGEROUS ANTHROPOGENIC INTERFERENCE WITH THE
CLIMATE SYSTEM.

THE AIM OF THE PROTOCOL IS TO REDUCE CARBON

EMISSIONS (FROM GREENHOUSE GASES) IN
INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES BY 5.2% OF EMISSION
LEVELS OF 1990. THE PROTOCOL AWARDS A 5 YEAR
PERIOD FROM 2008-2012 TO PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES
TO ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE.
India celebrates legalization of Kyoto
Protocol
THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL (USGBC) IS ONE OF
THE MOVEMENTS BORN OUT OF THIS PROTOCOL. THE
COUNCIL FOCUSSES ON GREENING BUILDING PRACTICES.

ARCHITECTURE 2030
A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN RESPONSE TO GLOBAL
WARMING CRISIS BY ARCHITECT EDWARD MAZRIA IN
2002 IN SANTA FE, USA.

MISSION TO ACHIEVE DRAMATIC REDUCTION IN GHG

EMSSIONS OF THE BUILDING SECTOR BY CHANGING THE
WAY BUILDINGS ARE PLANNED, DESIGNED AND
CONSTRUCTED.
World participation in the Kyoto Protocol

2
 A CASE FOR
GREEN
An ‘Earthship’ House
-A passive solar house made of natural
and recycled materials
-Michael Reynolds, creator of the
‘Earthship’ concept
Norman Foster’s Green Berlin Library
-A beautiful manifestation of active and
passive energy saving design
A CASE FOR
GREEN
Mud and thatch hut, India
Toda Hut, India
Eco-friendly Architecture
A necessity for the future
ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTS ARE THE VOICE OF THE BUILDING
INDUSTRY- THEY CAN INFLUENCE THE FUTURE
DIRECTION OF TRENDS IN THE INDUSTRY.
ARCHITECTS HAVE A MORAL AND SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVOCATE ENVIRONMENTALLY
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
THEY SHOULD NOT BLINDLY FOLLOW MAINSTREAM
BUILDING PRACTICES AND TECHNIQUES WITHOUT
EVALUATING THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF THESE ON OUR
HEALTH, WELLBEING AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND
ULTIMATELY ON EARTH’S NATURAL RESOURCES.
SUSTAINABLE AND GREEN CONCEPTS IN DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION SHOULD BE THE DICTUM OF THE
FUTURE.
GREEN ARCHITECTURE IS THOUGHTFUL ARCHITECTURE
AND THOUGHTFULNESS IS CRUCIAL TO GOOD
ARCHITECTURE.
A green building should create delight when
entered, serenity and health when occupied
and regret when departed- ‘Natural capitalism’
Traditional architecture and
design in India
LESSONS FROM TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE OF INDIA
TRADITIONAL INDIAN ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
WAS CLIMATE CONSCIOUS –THUS CONSERVING UNNECESSARY
ENERGY USED IN CONTEMPORARY BUILDINGS TODAY
USED NATURAL AND SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS –
PREVENTING POLLUTION FROM MANUFACTURE PROCESSES
USED LOCALLY AVAILABLE REOURCES- PREVENTING LONG
DISTANCE TRANSPORTATION AND FUEL NEEDS
AVOIDED WASTAGE – CUTTING DOWN MATERIAL IN LANDFILLS
ENCOURAGED RECYCLING AND RE-USE – CONSERVING NATURAL
RESOURCCES
WAS COST EFFECTIVE –BY USING THE ABOVE MEASURES
CAN THESE TECHNIQUES BE EMULATED, AND IN
COLLABORATION WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY,
PROVIDE ECO-FRIENDLY BUILT ENVIRONMENTS?
Green architecture is sensible, interesting and
exciting. There is still a lot of research and
study yet to be done in order to bring back
green building techniques and measures into
the mainstream. Architects will have an
important role to play in this process.
3
 A CASE FOR
What is a ‘green’ building?
GREEN
The Hamlet, Trivandrum
Designed by Laurie Baker for his
residence
Set along the slope of a rocky, built in 5
levels
Cyber Park, IT Hub- Gurgaon
Designed by Christopher Charles
Benninger Architects, India
Aims to be one of the greenest sites in
the country
A CASE FOR
lEED- A green rating for
GREEN
CII-Godrej Green Business Centre,
Hyderabad
LEED NC Platinum –USGBC
Designed by Architect Karan Grover,
India
Olympia Technology Park, Chennai
LEED CS Gold-USGBC
Designed by RSP Architects and
Planners, Singapore
A green building uses less energy, water and
other natural resources, creates less waste
and is healthier for the people living inside
compared to a standard building. –’Indian Green
Building Council’
FEATURES OF A GREEN BUILDING
MINIMAL DISTURBANCE TO LANDSCAPES AND SITE
CONDITION
USE OF RECYCLED AND ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY
BUILDING MATERIALS
USE OF NON-TOXIC AND RECYCLED/RECYCLABLE
MATERIALS
EFFICIENT USE OF WATER AND WATER RECYCLING
USE OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT AND ECO-FRIENDLY
EQUIPMENT
USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
INDOOR AIR QUALITY FOR HUMAN SAFETY AND
COMFORT
EFFECTIVE CONTROLS AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS
THE GREEN BUILDING CONCEPT ENVISAGES LESS
DEPENDANCE ON NON-RENEWABLE ENERGIES. THERE
WILL BE SIZEABLE REDUCTION IN CARBON EMISSIONS
RESULTING IN SLOWING DOWN OF ENVIRONMENTAL
DEGRADATION WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR GLOBAL
WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE
buildings
U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL (USGBC) AND LEED
IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE THE STAKEHOLDERS OF THE
KYOTO PROTOCOL TO CONSTRUCT SUSTAINABLE
BUILDINGS, USGBC LAUNCHED LEED (LEADERSHIP IN
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN) CERTIFICATION
AND RATING BY WHICH BUILDINGS WERE GRADED AS
PER EFFECTIVENESS OF COMPONENTS USED TO REDUCE
CARBON EMISSIONS.
AS PER LEED RATING, THE BUILDINGS ARE CLASSIFIED
INTO FOUR LEVELS NAMELY PLATINUM, GOLD, SILVER
AND GREEN. THE RATING HAS BEEN ACCEPTED AS A
GLOBAL STANDARD.
INDIAN GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL (IGBC)
THE INDIAN GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL WAS FORMED TO
USHER IN A GREEN BUILDING MOVEMENT IN INDIA AND
TO FACILITATE INDIA EMERGING AS ONE OF THE WORLD
LEADERS IN GREEN BUILDINGS BY 2010.
IGBC HAS BEEN FORMED AS AN ASSOCIATE OF THE
USGBC AND CURRENTLY PROMOTES LEED AS THE GREEN
BUILDING RATING SYSTEM IN INDIA.
4
 A CASE FOR
lEED- A green rating for
GREEN
ITC Green Centre, Gurgaon
LEED NC Platinum –USGBC
The building has reduced its energy
consumption by 51% over standards
Each rotated module
signifies a change in
the function of the
tower.
Aims to be the
greenest skyscraper in
India.
India Tower, Mumbai
Applied for LEED Gold-IGBC
Designed by FXFowle Architects, USA
BUILDING WITH
EARTH
Rajasthan, India
buildings
THE LEED RATING SYSTEM
CREDITS AWARDED IN 5 CATEGORIES
SUSTAINABLE SITES
WATER EFFICIENCY
ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE
MATERIAL AND RESOURCES
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
INNOVATION IN DESIGN
• RATINGS FOR VARIED BUILDING TYPES
LEED-NC (NEW CONSTRUCTION) IGBC,USGBC
LEED-EB (EXISTING BUILDINGS) USGBC
LEED-CS (CORE AND SHELL) IGBC, USGBC
LEED-CI (COMMERCIAL INTERIOR) USGBC
LEED-SCHOOLS USGBC
GREEN HOMES IGBC
LEED IN INDIAN CONTEXT
• CURRENTLY ANY IMPROVEMENTS TO OBTAIN LEED
RATING RESULTS IN ADDITIONAL BUILDING COSTS. LEED
IS VIEWED AS HIGH COST
• ARCHITECTS SHOULD CONSIDER EVALUATING NOT ONLY
GREEN BUT ALSO COST EFFECTIVE OPTIONS FOR
OBTAINING LEED IN A PREDOMINANTLY MIDDLE-CLASS
SOCIETY SUCH AS INDIA
A Green Evolution
LEED SECTION: MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
CREDIT NUMBER: 4.1, 4.2
CREDIT DESCRIPTION: RECYCLED CONTENT
LEED CREDIT NUMBER: 6.0
CREDIT DESCRIPTION: RAPIDLY RENEWABLE MATERIALS
ANUPAMA
MOHANRAM
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 BUILDING WITH Mud and straw
EARTH PROVEN OVER CENTURIES; AESTHETICALLY PLEASING

ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE; ENERGY EFFICIENT

LOCALLY AVAILABLE; COST-EFFECTIVE

EASE OF CONSTRUCTION; UNSKILLED LABOR

MUD- THERMAL MASS; STRAW- INSULATION

Taos Pueblo, New Mexico
Adobe/cedar wood; 15oo’s
MUD- COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH ;
STRAW- TENSILE AND SHEAR STRENGTH (PLASTERED)

MUD -FIRE, WATER, INSECT RESISTANCE;

STRAW -CONTROLS SHRINKAGE CRACKS

Cob building, Devon England

Cob/Thatch; 1539

ADOBE, RAMMED EARTH, WATTLE AND

DAUB, STRAW-CLAY, LIGHT CLAY,
EARTHBAGS, EARTHSHIPS
NATURAL BUILDING Grand Mosque, at Djenne, MaiI ; Adobe/mud plaster;
1906
MATERIALS Largest existing mud building in the world

WILL NOT BURN DOWN, BUGS CANNOT EAT IT, AND ITS DIRT CHEAP!
BUILDING WITH
What is cob?
EARTH CLAYEY SUB-SOIL MIXED WITH STRAW AND WATER

HANDMADE INTO LUMPS OR ‘COBS’

ASSEMBLED TO FORM A MONOLITHIC WALL

NO FORMS; NO MACHINERY

Windows without frames

Cob house, Oregon “There are no straight lines in
nature- all are curved”
Albert Einstein

FREEDOM OF DESIGN-ORGANIC SHAPES, CURVED WALLS

SCULPTING WITH CLAY

- A SENSORY AND AESTHETIC EXPERIENCE

‘The Spiral’ TRADITIONALLY POPULAR IN WESTERN BRITAIN

Cob house Cob sculpture,
interior
Buda, Texas Devon England
2001 COB HOUSES BUILT AS EARLY AS 13TH CENTURY
-NORM BY 15TH CENTURY IN BRITAIN/ DEVON

NATURAL BUILDING THERMAL MASS- TROMBE WALLS IN GREENHOUSES

MATERIALS

6
 BUILDING WITH What is Straw-bale ?
EARTH LEFTOVER STEMS OF HARVESTED GRAINS -STRAW

COMPRESSED AND TIED WITH STRING/ WIRE -BALES

STACKED IN RUNNING BOND; PLASTERED WITH MUD

Srraw bale house, Santa Fe

Architect-Steve Robinson

STRAW- A WASTE PRODUCT THAT IS OTHERWISE BURNT

BIO-DEGRADABLE; SUSTAINABLY GROWN IN SHORT TIME

STRENGTH TESTED – STRONGEST:3-STRING BALES, LAID FLAT

EARLIEST DOCUMENTED BUILDING IN 1887 IN NEBRASKA

Straw bale house with one plastered GOOD EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE

wall
Tucson, Carolyn Roberts EXCELLENT INSULATION; PASSIVE COOLING

UPTO 60% COST SAVINGS WHEN OWNER-BUILT

NATURAL BUILDING
MATERIALS

BUILDING WITH
Cob-strawbale comparison
EARTH COB:
AMORPHOUS- CAN BE FORMED TO ANY SHAPE
GOOD THERMAL MASS (1” /HOUR), POOR INSULATION

SETTLES AS IT DRIES AND THEN STABLE

PROVEN MANY CENTURIES IN VARIOUS CLIMACTIC

CONDTIONS INCLUDING WINDY, RAINY COASTLINES

SLOW BUILDING RATE, LITTLE FINISH NEEDED

House for Hilde Dawe
British Columbia, Canada SCULPTURAL, CURVED BUILDINGS, MULTISTORY

STRAW-BALE:
PRE-ASSEMBLED MODULAR, HOMOGENOUS PRODUCT
• POOR THERMAL MASS, EXCELLENT INSULATION-
UPTO R-50 FOR 3-STRING BALES PLACED FLAT

• COMPRESSES UNDER VERTICAL LOADING;

• PROVEN ONE CENTURY IN DRY CONDITIONS

• FAST ASSMEBLY; NEEDS EXTENSIVE FINISHING

Guesthouse, Arizona; 640sft • MODULAR SIMPLE BUILDINGS; SINGLE STORY

Architect: Bill Cook

7
 BUILDING WITH
Quilcene, Washington
EARTH

PICTURESQUE TOWN ON THE HOOD CANAL-OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Looking down from Mt Walker TWO HOUR’S DRIVE FROM SEATTLE

over the Hood Canal
BEACHES AND MOUNTAINS-POPULAR WEEKEND GETAWAY

EXPERIENCING MUD MAIN ECONOMY- FARMING

BUILDING

BUILDING WITH
Serendipity farm
EARTH

River sand from banks of

Quilcene River

The farm ‘crew’

40 ACRES OF FARMLAND- 40% IN CONSERVATION RESERVE

ORGANIC PRODUCE; SUSTAINABLITY WORKSHOPS/ RETREATS

PEACEFUL SETTING SURROUNDED BY NATURAL BEAUTY

EXPERIENCING MUD LIVED AND BUILT WITH MUD FOR 4 ½ DAYS

BUILDING

8
BUILDING WITH

EARTH The workshop Objectives

Mixing mud and straw for TO BUILD A 200 SFT OUTDOOR KITCHEN USING COB/STRAW BALE
plaster

TO BE COMPLETED IN 2 -5 DAY WORKSHOP SESSIONS

FIRST SESSION- RAISE THE BUILDING UPTO WINDOW HEADER

EXPERIENCING MUD SECOND SESSION- TO COMPLETE ROOFING AND FINISHING

BUILDING

BUILDING WITH
The Group
EARTH COENRAAD ROGMANS-TEACHES NATURAL BUILDING

GROUP OF 12 PEOPLE, 8 FROM THE SEATTLE AREA

COMMON INTEREST IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

VARIED BACKGROUNDS

-RETIREES LOOKING TO BUILD THEIR OWN HOME

-STUDENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY CURIOUS TO LEARN

-PEOPLE STARTING TO FORM AN ECOVILLAGE –BUILT OF EARTH

-SCHOOL TEACHER HOPING TO SPREAD ENVIRONMENTAL

AWARENESS AMONG HER STUDENTS

-SECOND-TIMERS TO HONE THEIR NATURAL BUILDING SKILLS

Fun with mud
MY EXPECTATIONS
-CONFIRM THE PRACTICABILITY OF ALL THAT I HAD READ

-TO TRY OUT AN EXCITING TECHNIQUE HANDS-ON

EXPERIENCING MUD -TO SEE THE RESULTS OF SIMPLE CONSTRUCTION/UNSKILLED LABOR

BUILDING

9
 BUILDING WITH

EARTH Our typical day

MIXING MUD FOR COB STARTS AT 6.30 AM

BREAKFAST FROM 7.30- 8AM- DELICIOUS HOMECOOKED MEAL

DANCING ON MUD, MAKING COBS (AND FRIENDS) UNTIL NOON

LUNCH AT NOON

MOST WELCOME MID-DAY BREAK UNTIL 2PM

CLASSROOM SESSIONS UNDER A TREE UNTIL 3PM

BUILDING WALLS, MIXING/MAKING THE NEXT BATCH OF COBS

TIRED OUT AND ABOUT READY TO GIVE UP BY 6PM

DINNER SERVED AT 6.30PM

Learning under the shade of a

tree DISCUSSIONS/ SLIDE SHOWS/ OVERVIEW OF THE DAY AHEAD

MUSIC AND BEDTIME

EXPERIENCING MUD
BUILDING

BUILDING WITH
The Foundation
EARTH

Stone set on
wet concrete to
bond

Top of the stem

wall is irregular to
provide ‘tooth’ for
cob

RUBBLE TRENCH UPTO FROST LINE BELOW

CONTINUOUS REINFORCED CONCRETE BOND BEAM

STEM WALL OF URBANITE – RECYCLED CONCRETE FROM

THE PROCESS DEMOLITION SITES

10
 BUILDING WITH
Mixing for cob
EARTH

Adding straw while treading

Dancing on mud
Mixing by tossing

MIXING IN PAIRS- EASE OF HANDLING HEAVY LOADS, MORE FUN

Clayey soil- 1 part sand added
to 1 part soil MIX TREADED TO A SCULPTABLE CONSISTENCY

HANDFULS OF STRAW ADDED- MIXING CONTINUES

THE PROCESS

BUILDING WITH
Cobs
EARTH

First layer of cob on wall

Cob and more cob…….

‘COBS’ OF MIX ARE MADE BY KNEADING AND SHAPING

HAND-SIZE COBS ARE EASIER TO ASSEMBLE INTO WALLS

COBS ARE STACKED ON STEM WALL IN LAYERS

THE PROCESS EACH LAYER SEWED IN WITH A ‘COBBER’S THUMB’-PIECE OF WOOD

11
 BUILDING WITH Sewing, leveling and
EARTH trimming
‘Sewing’ tieing’ each layer of cob with a ‘cobber’s thumb’-
a piece of wood that is comfortable to hold by hand

In Oregon cob, walls are built to a

slight taper to provide added WALL IS BUILT IN STAGES OF 18” HIGH
stability

LEVELING AND TRIMMING AFTER EVERY STAGE TO PREVENT

UNLEVELLED WALLS FROM BUILDING UP AND DRYING OUT
THE PROCESS

BUILDING WITH
Walls are going up
EARTH

2x4s for support of kitchen counter

Arches- Cobbing over rigid plywood PIPES AND WIRES BUILT IN TO THE COB BEFORE WALLS GET TO
form
COUNTER HEIGHT. PLUMBING PIPES INSULATED WITH STRAW

ELECTRICAL BOXES ATTACHED TO WOOD STIFFENERS/DEADMEN

WOOD STIFFENERS/DEADMEN BURIED INTO COB FOR ATTACHMENT

THE PROCESS OF CABINETS, COUNTERS, SHELVES, WINDOW FRAMES

12
 BUILDING WITH
Window frames are in
EARTH

Lets move this one more to the

center

Ah, that’s better! FLEXIBLE DESIGN-PLACEMENT OF WINDOWS DECIDED ON SITE

WINDOW/ DOOR FRAMES ARE IN; WALLS BUILT AROUND THEM

WET COB IS HEAVY AND CAN EXERT ENORMOUS PRESSURE ON WOOD

THE PROCESS LINTELS AND FRAMES NEED GOOD BRACING UNTIL COB IS DRY

BUILDING WITH
Window frames are in
EARTH

Placing windows in frames

ATTACHING DOOR AND WINDOW FRAMES TO WALL

THE PROCESS

13
BUILDING WITH
Straw bale wall
EARTH MOISTURE BARRIER ON TOP OF FOUNDATION/ STEM WALL

2X4s ON STEM WALL TO ELEVATE WALLS HIGHER

-SPACE FILLED WITH GRAVEL-INSECT BARRIER

BALES ARE LAID STARTING AT CORNERS/ DOOR FRAMES

STACKED IN RUNNING BOND- 12” MINIMUM OVERLAP

IRREGULARITES ARE FILLED/ PLASTERED WITH MUD

OPENINGS NOT TO EXCEED 50% OF WALL SURFACE

Pinning bale walls

Wire rope is run through
pipe sleeves at 6’ intervals
Metal corner protectors
Bale walls going up fast Bamboo corset tied
through bales to prevent
toppling of wall; added
NORTH WALL-EAST CORNER stability

THE PROCESS

BUILDING WITH
Straw bale wall
EARTH

ELECTRICAL WIRING/CONDUITS LAID IN JOINTS BETWEEN BALES OR IN

GROOVES CUT ACROSS BALE SURFACE

NAILING SURFACE- SHARPENED WOODEN STAKES, ATTACHED TO BACK

OF A 2X4; DRIVEN INTO BALES UNTIL 2X4 IS FLAT AGAINST BALES

THE PROCESS
PLUMBING IN FURRED OUT WALLS- PREFERABLE

14
 BUILDING WITH
The Roof
EARTH

Tieing down the ridge beam

ROUND WOOD-MORE STRENGTH- CAN BE PLACED FURTHER APART

ROOF DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED

RAFTERS TIED DOWN TO COB WALLS BELOW

THE PROCESS INSULATION- STRAW CLAY- ALTERNATE

BUILDING WITH
Roofing
EARTH

LIVING ROOFS- GRASS, FLOWERS, HERBS, SOME EDIBLES

ATTACHING RAFTERS TO WALLS
• RAFTERS TIED DIRECTLY TO ROOF HAS TO BE PRE-DESIGNED FOR ADDITIONAL LOAD
WALL BELOW IN COB WALLS
VEGETATION ON SOIL/ ORGANIC MATTER;WATERPROOFING

• CONTINUOUS ROOF PLATE SOUND INSULATION; REDUCE RUNOFF; COOLING; AESTHETIC

FOR RAFTER ATTACHMENT
IN STRAW BALEWALL THATCH- AESTHETIC; INSULATION; MORE COMMON IN BRITAIN

HIGH QUALITY STRAW; HIGHLY SKILLED LABOR; FIRE HAZARDS

THE PROCESS

15
 BUILDING WITH
Plastering
EARTH
ALL SETTLING TO BE COMPLETE BEFORE PLASTERING STARTS

PLASTER IN MODERATE TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS

EARTH PLASTER- COMPLEMENTS COB AND STRAW BALE

MIX OF SOIL-STRAW; NATURAL STABILIZERS, LIME

APPLIED BY HAND AND THE TROWELLED IN

SCRATCH COAT- THICK TO COVER IRREGULARITIES

BROWN COAT –FINAL SHAPE

FINISH COAT- ALIS- COLORED CLAY, PIGMENTS ADDED FOR COLOR

LIME PLASTER/ WHITE WASH- ALTERNATE

NATURAL WALL PAINTS

CEMENT PLASTER IS RIGID; WILL NOT ALLOW WALL TO BREATHE

THE PROCESS

BUILDING WITH
Flooring
EARTH

COMPACT SUB-SOIL TO FLAT LEVEL; SLOPE TO OUT TO DRAIN

MINIMUM 4” LAYER OF GRAVEL; SCREEN OUT FINE PARTICLES

BASE LAYER OF COARSE GRAVEL, SAND, CLAY, FULL LENGTH STRAW

Leveling the poured adobe floor SECOND LAYER- SMOOTHER/FINER MIX- CHOPPED STRAW

WAIT UNTIL COMPLETE PLASTERING BEFORE THE FINAL LAYER

SMOOTH MIX- SHREDDED STRAW

THE PROCESS BOILED LINSEED OIL FINISH –DURABILITY; WATERPROOFING

16
 BUILDING WITH
A Case study
EARTH

Finished living room

Finished kitchen with built-in FINISHED CABIN

cooler
THE BEAUTIFUL RESULT OF 2 -WEEK LONG SUMMER
WORKSHOPS

THE PROCESS

BUILDING WITH
The results
EARTH

THE GROUP’S EXPERIENCE-

SUMMED UP IN THEIR WORDS
“Most gratifying ”;

“I will definitely be back for more”

“Fun while you work” ;

“Amazing technique”
MY EXPERIENCE
MOST ENJOYABLE 5 DAYS LAST SUMMER;
TIRING BUT IMMENSELY SATISFYING
MADE FRIENDS; TRIED OUT SOMETHING NEW
ABOVE ALL- THE JOY OF BUILDING BY HAND, WITHOUT USE OF
EXPENSIVE TOOLS, MACHINERY, FORMWORK

THE EXPERIENCE HAS FURTHER MOTIVATED ME TO NOT ONLY TO

LEARN MORE ABOUT AND BUILD WITH EARTH BUT TO ALSO SHARE
A SUMMARY THESE EXCITING BUILDING TECHNIQUES WITH OTHERS

17
BUILDING WITH Limitations of Cob and
EARTH COB:
Straw Bale
WILL WEAKEN WHEN EXPOSED TO WATER OR MOISTURE FOR
LONG PERIODS

HIGH THERMAL MASS MAY NOT BE SUITABLE IN EXTREME COLD

LABOR INTENSIVE; TIME-CONSUMING

NEEDS LOCAL MATERIALS TO BE COST EFFECTIVE

STRAW BALE:

ROT AT CONTINUOUSLY HIGH MOISTURE CONTENT -OVER 20%

NOT SUITABLE IN PLACES WITH WIDE TEMPERATURE CHANGES

Cob greenhouse under
construction
LOCAL MATERIALS AND LABOR TO BE COST EFFECTIVE

LOAD BEARING STRAW BALE HAS NOT BEEN TESTED BEYOND

ONE STORY

OBTAINING BUILDING PERMITS IS NOT EASY

NATURAL BUILDING
MATERIALS

BUILDING WITH
References
EARTH BOOKS:
THE HAND-SCULPTED HOUSE
Ianto Evans, Michael G. Smith, Linda Smiley
THE STRAW BALE HOUSE
Athena Swentzell Steen, Bill Steen, David Bainbridge with Davis
Eisenberg
BUILDING WITH EARTH- A guide to earthbag construction
Paulina Wojciechowska
ADOBE AND RAMMED EARTH BUILDINGS
Paul Graham McHenry, Jr.
Finished living room
THE RAMMED EARTH HOUSE
David Easton

NEWSLETTERS/ JOURNALS:
THE LAST STRAW; THE ADOBE NEWSLETTER

GREEN/NATURAL BUILDING ORGANIZATIONS/GROUPS:

USGBC; IGBC; INHABITAT; COBWORKS; KLEIWORKS; COB COTTAGE
COMPANY; HABITAT FOR HUMANITY; CALIFORNIA STRAW BUILDING
ASSOCIATION (CASBA); STRAW BALE ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS

WEBSITES:
USGBC.ORG; IGBC.IN; INHABITAT.COM; GREENBUILDER.COM;
SOLARLIVING.ORG; EARTHSHIP.NET; ARCHITECTURE2030.ORG

INFORMATION

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 A CASE FOR GREEN

ARCHITECTURE A Green Evolution

THE FUTURE OF ARCHITECTURE AND A

CASE FOR ‘GREEN’ BUILDINGS

ACROS FUKUOKA BUILDING, ANUPAMA

FUKUOKA CITY, JAPAN
Designed by Emilio Ambasz &
Associates,
MOHANRAM

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