Kash Hartz

10/29/2018
Period 2
Mrs. Chawkat
Data Collection
Dates Focus Question Notes Observations/
Summary

January 29 What is the best ● Underground structures are typically

(Source 1) way to create an covered on 3 sides with the front exposed
insulated, to sunlight
waterproof, and
○ Allows heat to enter and the
energy efficient
home? insulation allows for less
regulation of temperature
● Soil grade is important to take into
account
○ Sand and gravel are best for
underground structures because
they allow water to drain easily
while insulating temperatures very
well
■ You need to drain water
to decrease water pressure
on frames
● Water insulation is extremely important
when it comes to underground homes
○ Rubberized asphalt: Synthetic
rubber, asphalt, and a layer of
polyethylene (typically long
lasting)
○ Plastic and Vulcanized Sheets:
harder to use because it needs to
be set up correctly in order to be
correctly
○ Liquid polyurethanes: typically
used to fill hard to reach places
like a membrane (NOTE: Only
apply when it is warm and dry
outside)
○ Bentonite: natural clay usually in
the form of a spray, when it comes
in contact with moisture in
expands
● Humidity is a tricky field while you might
 be able to properly insulate a home, it
comes down to whether you prefer your
home hot or cool
○ Insulating a house can store heat
but, this doesn’t help in the
summer
● Insulation is important but, only effective
if you can preserve it
○ Be sure to create a layer of board
between the earth and the
insulation so the insulation
doesn’t rub off
● With these superior insulated homes you
need to make sure you have good access
to air
○ Be careful of what you use inside
the home
● Creating an energy efficient home takes
into account (Site conditions, Local
climate, Appliances and home electronics,
Insulation and air sealing, Lighting and
daylighting, Space heating and cooling,
Water heating, Windows, doors, and
skylights)
○ Extremely efficient homes are
connected to solar water heating
or solar electricity
● Maximizing efficiency doesn’t just mean
having an efficient home, it also takes into
account designing the frame efficiently
○ When creating a frame, substitute
insulating materials into frame
and reduce lumber output to
maximize insulation and maintain
structural integrity
○ Constructing advanced framing
saves up to 3-5 % labor and
somewhere from 500- 1000
dollars of material costs
● Cool roofing (Highly reflective roofs repel
heat and keep houses cool in the summer
● Passive solar energy/ heating
○ Utilizes position to capture light
 and convert to energy to provide
heat and energy during summer
and winter
● Log Homes
○ Designing homes with logs help
maintain consistent heat
throughout colder days, great
insulators of heat
● URL:
https://energy.gov/energysaver/types-
homes/efficient-earth-sheltered-homes

January 31 What is the ● Insulation for roofing Layering and

(Source 2) better material ○ This depends on where you live so paying attention
and tacic to deciding whether to use Cool to climate plays
create the a major role in
Roofing or Rubber insulation is
perfect roof material usage
depending on completely dependent on your for house
the temperature? climate
■ For insulation use 0.06
inch. EPDM (ethylene
propylene diene
monomer), very flexible
through range of
temperatures from -50
degrees celsius to 150
degrees celsius and is
highly resistant to
ultraviolet rays (Fairly
easy to set, make sure
nothing can puncture it
otherwise it’s insulating
purpose is negligible)
■ An alternative in
bentonite which when it
comes into contact with
water is expands to 22
times its normal size
making it completely air
tight, this material is also
reusable so it will deflate
when not exposed to
water, temperature is not
really an issue seeing as it
 can withstand 205 degrees
celsius and still act
perfectly fine (Very
expensive material
though), 1 bucket of
bentonite will cover 60
square feet and is
workable for 2 hours
before setting
permanently (Infinite
lifespan)
● URL:https://www.motherearthnews.com/g
reen-homes/earth-sheltered-house-
zmaz81ndzraw
February 1 Where would ● Create bar frame
(Source 3) you begin in ○ Essentially layout the shape of
creating an earth building using whatever materials
bermed house?
you see fit
● Fill in frame with raw material as the main
skeleton for the house
○ Sheets of metal, etc.
● Cover with material that will fill all holes
and cracks to prevent leakage
● Apply another layer of insulating material
to retain heat as well as keep out water
● Apply a last layer that will protect the
insulating material so it is not damaged
● Finish by covering with local soil or if
your going for an earth bermed house go
for covering three sides and construct cool
roofing/ insulating roof
○ Be sure to leave entrances clear ad
open
● Creating earth bermed houses is much like
putting a cast on an arm
○ You create/ have a frame and then
just apply layers until you have
everything, then let it set
● URL:
http://www.formworksbuilding.com/our-
process/

February 3 What is the best ● When utilizing passive solar heating Be aware of
(Source 4) kind of solar always have windows pointing south if your
panel to use your north of the equator surroundings,
when creating and understand
○ Its opposite if your south of the
an energy where the sun
efficient home? equator will rise and fall
Cost? ● Mono- Crystalline Solar panels
○ More effective in harnessing solar
energy
○ Very hard to create
○ Make sure to insulate property
otherwise extreme temperatures
(heat mainly), will destroy the
 efficiency of the panel
● Poly- Crystalline Solar panels
○ Less effective in harnessing solar
energy
○ Easy to create
● URL: https://news.energysage.com/what-
are-solar-panels-made-of-list-of-solar-pv-
materials/

February 7 What are other ● Creating the floor of your home a

(Source 5) ways to create vibration/ mechanical stress converter
clean, and easily ○ Whenever the material undergoes
accessible
stress it creates electricity which
energy?
can be implemented onto
driveways to gain the extreme
stress from the cars
■ Use PZT (Lead
Zirconium Titanate), most
effective material for
converting mechanical
stress into electrical Easy way to
energy create energy
through
■ Pb[Zr(x)Ti(1-x)]O3 is the
movement
chemical property of PZT without forcing
● Easy way to create energy without even people to move
thinking about it, just walking around
generates energy for your home
○ Encourages movement which can
help keep people more fit
● Possible materials to use
○ Barium titanate, Lithium Niobate,
has similar properties to the
piezoelectric effect
● Piezoelectricity drivers help magnify the
power of voltage
● URL:
http://www.electronicdesign.com/power/w
hat-piezoelectric-effect

February 9 What would be ● Recycle material in order to achieve the Take into
(Source 6) a good example full green like house account the
of an earth ● Use recycled concrete depth at which
bermed house? you are building
○ High insulation
(Specific sweet
● Recycled glass
 ○ Allows sunlight to come in spot for constant
○ Green temperature all
● Utilize any recycled material, especially
from old run down buildings like
apartments, prisons, etc.
● URL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgW
TeU7zDGI

year round)

February 10 What are good ● Earth Sheltering Be aware of

(Source 7) all around tips ○ Two independent thermal masses your
to know when affect insulation temperature to
constructing an ■ Mass of the earth (How know what
earth bermed much there is, the type of temperature of
house? soil/ density of area is,
understand
it)(Typically hard to
common natural
control so you can’t solely causes, pay
rely on it) attention to
■ The mass of the building pitch of roof
which we have massive
control over (You can
control where and how
much insulation to apply
to your house)
○ Building a house 6-8 feet deep
will result in a constant
temperature ranging from 40- 60
degrees fahrenheit (depends on
your regions particular climate)
■ This helps with using
little to no air-
conditioning or heating
■ You need insulation
otherwise this constant
temperature won't hold
● Pros of living roof
○ Provides longevity
■ By utilizing soil and plant
life on top of the actual
roof it reduces the effects
of ultraviolet radiation,
erosion and freeze- thaw
cycling
○ Provides Insulation
■ Having 3 to 4 inches of
soil provides a decent
amount of insulation not
including plant life
○ Provides cooling
■ Plants give shade and
with the mixture of
evaporation also provides
cooling
○ Provides protection
■ The fact that you have the
 earth protecting you
means your house is less
susceptible to fire, sound,
radiation, earthquakes,
tornadoes, and hurricanes
○ Provides Aesthetics
■ Having the ability to give
natural life to your roof
looks absolutely amazing
● Effective Building Techniques
○ When creating a strong structure
use concrete and make walls
roughly eight inches thick with
fiber-reinforced surface-bonding
cement to give it extra support/
strength
○ Use heavy timber when creating
framework
■ Use for roofs
○ Waterproofing and drainage
■ Use Neoprene or EPDM
to provide sufficient
waterproofing
■ When using membranes
be sure to use backing
paper so it doesn’t stick to
any unintended objects
(Fairly cheap to use
membranes)
■ You could use crushed
stones and hay to create
drainage which is
effective but, is fairly
heavy and you don’t want
to compromise the
building integrity
■ You could also use tough
nylon mesh with a pocket
of air in between to direct
the path of water
● Constructing your roof
○ Having the perfect pitch allows
the water to run off reliably while
 maintaining the earth on top of the
roof
■ Pitch: How slanted a roof
or object is
○ Place a few layers of insulation
over the planking and then create
your drainage layer
■ Be sure to not add too
much weight
○ Finally plant your desired flowers,
grasses, etc. (make sure they don’t
need a lot of soil seeing as you’ll
have about 3-4 inches of soil on
your roof)\
● URL:http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.d
o?tabID=T003&resultListType=RESULT
_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&s
earchType=SubjectGuideForm&currentPo
sition=26&docId=GALE%7CA17397052
2&docType=Article&sort=Relevance&co
ntentSegment=&prodId=GPS&contentSet
=GALE%7CA173970522&searchId=R8&
userGroupName=glen20233&inPS=true

February 27 What are some ● Architect Eugene Tsui designs By noticing

(Source 8) innovative ideas architecture that has a more natural feel nature's secrets
to create a better ○ Adapts to sunlight, weather, we can create
earth bermed effective
external forces, and the changing
house? buildings, we’ve
needs of people been given
○ His designs cause disturbances blueprints we
due to the abnormality of it just need to
■ Simple mathematics, follow them
engineering, and
imagination
● Bases ideas of how nature would adapt to
an environment
○ For example, one of his designs is
called a nautilus shell
■ Has a main section and
then branches out
overtime
■ Uses only recycled
materials to keep the
 natural aspect
■ Alters materials of house
depending on exterior
effects like the wind/ sun/
sea
■ Utilizes solar heating to
save money
(Approximately 3,000
dollars a year)
○ Utilizes rounder shaped houses
because they hold up better
compared to that of sharp corners
■ Nature is flowing and
smooth, not crisp and
tough
○ He even utilizes natures guide to
keep great insulation
■ For example, a wasp nest,
using water glue and
wood chips to create very
good insulation
● URL:
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?tab
ID=T003&resultListType=RESULT_LIS
T&searchResultsType=SingleTab&search
Type=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition
=4&docId=GALE%7CA15239863&docT
ype=Article&sort=Relevance&contentSeg
ment=&prodId=GPS&contentSet=GALE
%7CA15239863&searchId=R2&userGrou
pName=glen20233&inPS=true#

February 23 What are ● Use of cooling tubes Utilizing

(Source 9) interesting ○ Using natural convection to cool science and
characteristics I the outside air traveling through natures natural
could use to the earth mass and pushes out the function to our
make a house hot air through windows, best benefit
less energy skylights, etc.
dependent? ■ Cold air is denser than hot
air so your house will stay
noticeably cooler and
longer than heat
○ Completely non- electric
○ Keeps fresh air flowing
● Can leave roof completely exposed for
 water
○ Acts as a funnel and runs off
completely natural water
○ Utilizes light grease and particle
filter to recycle water
● Utilize AC and DC voltage to maximize
energy efficiency
● Use recycled materials
○ Better for environment cuts down
on buying manufactured materials
● URL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5voB
FW1fQPs

February 20 What other extra ● Utilize gravity fed water Using these tips
(Source 10) information can ○ Used for showers, sinks, water helps the
I find that stands plants, etc. environment
out and would ● Have plants and humans
be useful to my ○ Keeps air in circulation overall
research? ○ Looks visually appealing
○ Can use excess/ gray water on
them
● URL:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
KoAFJKLsnko