Several Western states, counties, and municipalities have already accepted strawbale building in their codes. Why is it important to have a straw bale code in the IBC or IRC?
Building Codes affect all of us; this is an appeal for donations to fund a straw bale building code effort to create a chapter in both the International Building Code and International Residential Code.
The Ecological Building Network is an open, collaborative group of builders, scientists, architects and engineers sharing the best knowledge we can find for everyone's benefit. Visit them at www.ecobuildnetwork.org
The California Straw Building Association, founded in 1996, is an all-volunteer non-profit organization committed to straw bale building. CASBA funds research and code development, provides information and education, and holds workshops. CASBA members are architects, engineers, contractors, owner-builders, straw and other building material suppliers, and people interested in building with straw. Find them at www.strawbuilding.org
The American Rainwater Catchment System Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote sustainable rainwater harvesting practices to help solve potable, non-potable, storm water and energy challenges throughout the world. Founded in 1994, they offer rainwater catchment system design and installation certification courses and other information on rainwater catchment systems. Visit ARCSA at www.arcsa.org
Rainwater catchment systems can be as simple as a rain barrel placed under a downspout to store water for a few roses, or large enough to supply an entire garden and orchard with water during Southern Oregon’s dry summer growing season
Building with Straw Bale creates energy efficient, affordable, long-lasting structures from a simple, natural building material. Today’s straw bale homes are built to last, and offer comfortable, healthy, quiet, inspiring dwellings.
Used inside or out, natural plasters offer protection from moisture, fire, and pest intrusion, while subtly highlighting natural wall shapes. They also provide a distributed thermal mass that makes straw walls energy efficient and comfortable.
