First introduction

In a crucial moment in the development of human civilization man has courage

stepped out of the cave , changed their culture and life began to build

Superintendent of materials found at hand , whether it is mud , stone

or wood .

In 21th century , in an age when practically everyone is currently ( tangible )

safety is questionable and the current system has not proved justified ,

effective and safe , a technology that has long surpassed limited

development of the human mind bringing him probably to the maximum extent

alienation , but again , giving him the option of maximum networking and

connectivity , most notably the collection of new information , it's hard not to find

the person who will be the memorial house of straw taunt remembering that evil

wolf from the story of The Three Little Pigs or will imagine the little hobbit dwelling ,

forest creatures . Only a small number of people will think of the new or old

material , excellent quality , but unjustly neglected .

This study wanted through simple examples to explain some

basic methods of building a house of straw , and their advantages and

characteristics, leading some contemporary projects to point to their

the quality and possibilities of further development in the design of sustainable

housing.

Second The history of the house of straw

Buildings of straw bales were first built in the late 19th century in the United States , at the time when
they were invented strojeviza straw . white settlers

plains of Nebraska ( in areas without rocks and forests for construction ) grew

cereals , and in anticipation of timber , which they should not arrive

next spring , they built temporary home of what is for them a

waste materials - straw bales . They built directly from the bales in a way that

the huge building blocks in the form of construction , the supporting walls .

This construction method known as Nebraska method or methods supporting

walls . The settlers saw them as such houses are heated during the very

cold winters and cool during the hot summer . They noticed a discernible sound

protection from the noisy winds . Their positive examples of construction and housing

in these homes resulted in the construction of permanent houses , and some of them live

even today . These early methods of construction experienced a flourishing around the 1940s.

years , until the war , population growth and start using cement not

led to its demise . In the late 70's was again reveal some of the

these old houses and the idea spread very quickly , " green " and permaculture

circles . The UK is the first house of straw built in 1994.

Today it is around the world to build about 1,000 new homes

year .

3rd characteristics of straw

Straw is a one obnovljiviprirodni product that is often

produce more than is necessary . Only in the UK every year

produces about 4 million tons of surplus which would be enough to build

at least 450,000 houses a year of 150 m2 . straw provides

extremely good insulation at a very affordable price . K coefficient of straw

is 0:09 W / mK , and the standard wall thickness of 450 mm provide value in

ratio of 12:13 W/m2K , which is two to three times less than the contemporary

materials and much less than the demand of today's construction

regulations . Also , one of the main characteristics of the sound insulation and

frequent use of the walls of straw bales near the runways of airports and highways

in the U.S. and Europe as a protection against noise pollution . low cost

building , reducing heating costs up to 75 % per year just yet

Some of the benefits of building with straw .

Different types of straw have different chemical compositions and the inherent

strength . However mikrosvojstva straw are less important than

makrosvojstva bales . According to experience , and certain laboratory

tests , moisture content , density , and history ( history storing bales and

protection from harvest to construction ) are the primary determining factors affecting

quality bales . Moisture content depends on the conditions at the time of baling and when

subsequent storage and transport . Quality control and testing of bales

straw requires the use of a hygrometer . Density bale depends on the type of grain ,

moisture content and the degree of compression of the baler , but generally should not exceed

at least 1.1 kN/m3 ( dry density is the density which is calculated and

stripped weight moisture ) if it intends to use as a load-bearing element .

Bale size varies depending on the baler to be used locally , although

more or less standard for 3 - wire bales mmx1.168 mmx406 584 mm ( 2 - wire bales are much less ) .
According to various laboratory tests for

bales of straw was established modulus of elasticity 1379 kPa ( depending on the density

and moisture ) and compressive stress of 482.7 kPa . Plastered walls heights 2438

mm according to tests to withstand the pressure (before buckling wall) pressures from

27.6 to 34.5 kPa.

Until the establishment of construction standards relating to baled

Straw, on the basis of careful design and testing must be determined

the actual quality of specific bales selected for a particular project. practically
watching, specifications like maksimalnodopuštenog moisture content in

construction time and minimum density shall be expressed as a criterion

Performance.

4th methods of construction

Nebraska method or methods of retaining walls of the bundle

This is the original method branches - derives from immigrants in Nebraska ,

USA . In this method , the bales assume the weight of the roof - there is no

second structural frame . Stacked together like a big building

blocks , attached to the foundation , and another one for the hazel rods and

associated belts ( straps ) with a wooden roof beams resting on

top of the wall . Windows and doors are located suunutar structural framework , which

attached to the bale to be lifted wall . This is the simplest method

and requires very little prior knowledge of constructing the walls and the

one of the fastest methods , ideal zasamostalne builders because of the ease

design and low cost . Straw Jevrem and adaptive design goal is not

completely vertical and straight walls . What can be a problem during construction

larger buildings is the straw must remain dry through the whole process of construction ,

until plastering , open area can not be greater than 50 % of any

by the wall , and the maximum length of unsupported wall is 6 m

Nebraska style is the most common method of construction that can be found in Ireland and

UK .

Method of lightweight structural frame with the mounting wall of the bale

When this method is used a wooden box in which the columns accommodation

only in the corners and on the sides of the frame openings . It is quite
lightweight and temporary support until a straw that has taken

the role of the supporting wall . This allows the construction of the roof before

built walls which provides protection from the weather. Such construction

provides greater stability for door and window frames , but it is more complicated than

Nebraska methods and requires greater technical skill .

The method of filling / method of poles and logs / timber frame method

In this method, the weight carried by the roof with timber , steel or

concrete skeleton and bales simply fill insulation belts

between the columns . This is a common choice of architects because structural concepts are not

innovative and rely on većetabliranje construction methods and the risk

associated with minimal experimental techniques . Requires a high level of

carpentry skills and a lot more used timber.

The method of building with bales

This is used as a bale to build a plain brick wall with cement

mortar that holds them together , and the whole building is plastered with cement

plaster inside and out . Today is rarely used because of familiarity

simpler method , uses a lot of cement and is sensitive to moisture because of

use cement plaster on the straw surface .

All other aspects of construction remain the same , including the setting up of installations,

electricity , roofing , etc. The biggest difference , as mentioned before , can be

note the design of the foundation , the type of material for the construction of the wall and the type of

facade and plaster . Since the straw breathable material , works best with

materials similar to themselves . It is usual to design a foundation that does not

require the use of cement .

5th contemporary examples

a) Houses

Unatočsve greater rise building houses of straw , the vast majority of these houses

I come across during this research is still in the traditional

shaped manner , and it is mainly about the houses in which only slightly

amorphous form obtained inability absolutely flat plastering reveals that

it comes home a different material , ie straw . It is probably

consequence of the possibilities that the vast majority of these houses built in a small number of people
,

without the required specialized education and often do not go home and continue

since their primary purpose , which is to provide a roof over their heads . only in

the last few years there have been some architects who experiment

methods of construction ( transforming walls in prefabricated elements or

maximum compressing ) and how to design the facade and thus

emphasize the use of straw , not only as an excellent insulating material ,

većkao and interesting visual and design element .

Hereafter I have included a couple of interesting projects

in contrast with the classical shaped buildings with their innovative and

experimenting with the design of straw .

The house of straw, Felix Jerusalem, Switzerland

This house is a simple plan succeeded in affirming used

material through the transparent membrane to get a new form of the facade, not otherwise

during a typical classical building houses of straw. Straw is used here

used not only as an insulating material and fill material and većkao

structural material and for this purpose compressed and converted into
panels. They are made in a way to put a straw in a box with attached

upper and lower plates, and the edges remain open. Then while they are lying in

factory plaster and thus avoid all the problems that normally occur

Due to bad weather, and panelise after treatment delivered to

site and ready for installation.

Word of jednoetažnoj rectangular building, with three bedrooms and

common areas formed in the central part. lining

translucent panels in the color given to interesting new effects.

Guest house, Aata, Chile

This house is made of wooden construction on two levels, a hypothetical

as a low-energy house and the special attention paid to its

orientation, location of windows and insulation. In this case, the material for the isolation of

a special feature of the facade and the whole project, since it is

straw.

As infill walls used baled straw plastered with clay because

its high thermal efficiency and abundance in this area. the walls are

protected from rain transparent polycarbonate panels, which leaves

evidence of material and corrugated sheet metal in the upper and lower portions, while

for 5th facade green roof. Position window is designed to

missed a lot of sun in the interior in winter and air flow for ventilation in summer.

The interior is painted in white to repel natural light and reduce

needs the use of artificial light.

b) Houses made partly from straw

Since the straw still a relatively new material, often in modern

examples encountered houses that combine the use of straw walls with

some other material. The walls are usually lined with straw walls

western, eastern and northern orientation, while walls facing south

are usually of a more classic and otherwise upotrebljivanog materials.

The reason for this is probably their purpose as a space for gathering

most of solar energy and consequently a number of openings, which

complicates the construction of the wall of straw in the area due to a large

the crop straw, which reduces its capacity.

The house of straw , Sarah Wigglesworth Architects , London

This house has an unusual design architects for their house and associated office .

What makes it different is the home of numerous innovative use of technology

based on the principles of sustainable design , many of which are used in

urban context first . This includes new wall system that includes

bales of straw .

According to the architects , the intention was to create a model of sustainable designed

living in an urban environment . At the same time , the project represents

innovative spatial , formal and material solutions for the design house .

The main floor of the house was built on pillars , with a garden below it . layout

living area is designed to provide flexible options

use of space , while the wing of bedrooms thoughtfully as warm

haven , wrapped in a protective wall of straw . Tower of books from five floors

rising through the roof , allowing the top of a reading room with a view .
The roof of the house is made of green cover , planted with wild strawberries .

The project is comprised of a large office , responding to the need

hybrid house with office space in the cities of the 21st century . Office of the

located on the side where the railway passes and his facade coated bags

sand . These bags are made of sand , lime and cement to time to

when they rot , the wall will turn into concrete form contained with these bags .

The design principles of passive house uses energy , with strong insulating wall of

straw that winds around the north-eastern and north-west, while

south side " polished " to catch the warmth of the sun .

The tower acts as a thermal chimney , catching the wind and encouraging natural

ventilation for cooling the house in summer . Materials have been used with a view to

minimal impact on the environment . The north wall is made of the standard bundle

straw , placed between the load-bearing wooden frame and protected from the outside

translucent panels for protection from the rain , which allow the straw

see them and also ventilate . The inner side is plastered , and so it seems

fire protection . Straw advantage is that it is extremely inexpensive , can be

be recycled and provides great insulation. Also , straw bales can be very

quick and easy to build .

Also , one of the interesting things is the first street use gabion walls

(steel cages that are often seen along highways ) filled with recycled

concrete. Seskuplja rainwater and using solar pumps are used for

Irrigation roof , use of toilets and washing laundry . Further savings

Water is used uklopljavanjemjednog of the first composting toilets

used in the UK in an urban environment .

Common Ground, Mithun & Lopez Community Land Trust, USA

One of the islands of the eastern coast of the United States, Lopez Island, has become increasingly
expensive

place to live, and so made the pressure on teachers, workers and other

residents who are looking for affordable housing. to them

help, architectural firm Mithun together with the non-profit

Lopez Community LandTrust organization created 11 economic,

environmentally and socially sustainable homes that make absolutely incredible

a small village. Sustainable elements odkojih these low-energy houses

The walls consist of straw on the north, east and west, solar heating

water and generating energy from photovoltaic cells, rainwater collection for

toilets, washing machines and breeding their own food. Tenants know exactly

what happens because each unit contains information of the consumption of energy and

water. Land is owned LCLT organizations to maintain acceptable

land prices.

Forwarding Dallas , Atelier Days + MOOV

project for tender Re : Vision Dallas

Word about the contest in which architects realized prototype sustainable urban

living. Their proposal transforms components that make up the city block

aimed at shaping the future of human ways of life and work .

This residential and commercial complex incorporates 854 units of various

size . Using natural forms , the space is organized as a valley ,

downhill and hills which maximizes solar gain , views and usable

surface . Dynamic composition of buildings creates large gaps in

open green space or green roofs , which are planned as

agricultural area .

Energy is produced by combining photovoltaic cells and the wind.

Southwest facade is designed to adapt to

the season and the amount of sunlight it needs , while

northeastern facade made up of walls of straw that provide

sufficient insulation . The aim of the project was the creation of a building as a physical

structure , većkako community can populate the structure . Upon completion of

contest , the entire block will be renovated into a fully sustainable urban community

which should serve as a pattern has been produced later be used in

other cities .

c) University Projects

As this is a material that is because of its exceptional ecological and

insulating properties aroused znatiželjumnogih people and institutions, not even

surprising that they are at various universities around the world have decided to engage in

different studies on the subject. Straw is a material whose construction

achievable with a small number of people, and with little funding and is only

was a matter of time apart from various environmental organizations building

start with the professional educational side. The advantage of such a construction is not

only in the research and also the aspect of promoting new

materials, većšto gives young people whose profession it is a direct insight into

issues and participate in its further development without

market force. The house of straw - University of Bath , Somerset

This house was built with the aim to examine the effectiveness of houses of straw and

their resistance to wind , as tests proved successful .

The walls are made of straw compressed between wooden frame , coated

with three layers of waterproof lime plaster , and are thus transformed into

prefabricated panels . Inside the house there are 66 wireless sensors

mounted inside the panel 12 and the interior light bulbs

replaced by body heat and the average family activities , given that the house

no kitchen and bathroom . Panels are većprošli fireproof test

temperatures greater than 1000 C.

The concept includes a vision of decentralizing the production of construction

material - material is purchased on farms within 10 km from

construction and mounted on a previously built foundation . Wearing panels can

submit three floors , and finally njihovogvijeka , all components can be

reused , recycled , used as biomass or composted . have

50 - year guarantee , while their life expectancy is at least 75 years.

It was designed to reduce heating costs 85 % , and each additional heating

can be provided through a biomass boiler or solar water system .

Grand House cooperatives , Cambridge , Ontario

The project started graduate student of architecture University of Waterloo

that was fueled by a lack of homework students . Since the city and

Communities were interested , stvorilase opportunity to connect with people

faculty and community with people from the industry .

This three-story building is located on a slope , the large steel girders and

consists of 12 bedrooms , two kitchen and a common living

stay . A relatively small number of volunteers and students from places

Architecture worked on the project a little more than a year .

The walls are made of straw covered with plaster of clay limestone ,

while the floors are made of wood recikliranogiz halls of local high schools .

Money for the construction was collected from local sponsors and donations through

various campaigns , construction costs are minimized by using

locally made and recycled materials . Students living in a cooperative ,

together deciding on all matters relating to the house and bear monthly

costs which are paying off a mortgage and work . This could become a model or

bar instance solving future problems related to student homes

because it shows that with a little money and a lot of effort , a lot can be achieved .

6th The situation in Croatia

Although in recent years around the world appears more house

baled straw , in Croatia this architectural technique recently appeared .

The big problem is the lack of legislation for straw as

building material . So it breaks down , which , although it has better insulating

properties of some recognized insulating material , must now legally

used in construction. In other countries , such as Germany

were carried out all the necessary tests on straw and now baled straw

can be used like any other building material . In the U.S., it can be

obtain a building permit even for houses where the straw walls bear

Roofing , therefore no additional load-bearing structures .

In Croatia, the last few years built the first three houses of

straw , and are in Lopatincu end Cakovec , in Bale in Istria and

Vukomerić . All three are the product of open workshops organized by

environmental associations . Working seo small objects measuring about 12 m

2

And use

will be as demonstrative examples to help educate about building with straw . all three

facility were built of straw from local farmers , and the walls are

plastered with clay , which is found on the ground or near the field of construction . only

recently built the first house in the foothills of larger sizes

Medvednica .

House of wood and straw , Poljanica Bistranska , Marina and Mijo Zajec

The particularity of this house is that its base structure makes the wood , while

exterior walls instead of ordinary insulation filled with bales of straw .

The house is structurally divided into clearly reinforced underground part

and an overhead light wooden construction . The basement was dug under the entire

floor plan of the house , the ground floor and in the gallery below the steep part of the sloping roof

lower the residential premises of its layout and dimensions follow

the logic of the structural system .

The bearing wooden structure forms a so-called . platform system performance with

pillars of spruce wood . Axis grid structures derived from

dimensions of straw bales ( approx 35/50/89 cm ) . Such a system allows

footprint dodge columns if necessary due to the elements of the window or

door . " Skeleton " that make up the wooden elements of columns , beams and rafters covered with

the planks stiffened structure and the necessary supporting element for

the stability of the building . The outer covering of the house is made of wood and ventilated , while

running as a green roof . The wooden structure of the walls will be filled with 35 cm

thick straw bales and wooden planks made from acacia will change
over time, influenced by weather conditions and the color appearance and

show the character of the house made of " live " material - wood .

Outside the windows are made , as well as covering the facade , acacia .

Four-layer laminated profiles and triple insulating glass with Low - E

coating and filling gas , with a well-insulated exterior walls , further

improve the thermal characteristics of the outer membrane .

7th conclusion

Do not simply utopian idea fervid individuals and members

various permaculture circles , VECO real and effective

the future of contemporary sustainable housing tells us a growing number of

fans of this kind of building and growing number of members of the architectural

profession that increasingly recognize the benefits of using the still relatively new ,

that is, until now unjustly neglected material . As such, it

certainly deserves more attention and experimentation to his

technical defects to a minimum , a high-quality examples of architects to

Should people open to this new form of housing. because of his

quality not only in većnaširoko known characteristics of sustainability through

recyclability , excellent insulation provided by or equivalence with

Passive houses as basic guidelines to build 21st century , it

provides a new level of quality , people slowly većzaboravljenu , where

a man with a family , with only a few people , or as we have seen through

example of student cooperatives in the United States , the possibility of building

own home , or the sense of security that the man I

able to take care of yourself in this rather unstable age .

8th data Sources

literature

Manual for the construction of houses of straw bales, B. Jones, 2006th

More straw bale building, C. Magwood, P. Mack, T. Therrien, 2005th

Wood, no. 63, in March 2010.

Internet

http:// www.strohhaus.net

http:// www.swarch.co.uk

http:// www.grandhouse.org

http:// www.archdaily.com

http://www.strawbale.com/