Green Means
Green Building Step-by-Step
By Shannon Scott
Since my
husband, Rob, made the executive decision for us to build a straw bale
mother-in-law cottage, I thought this would be a great opportunity to relate
the steps as they unfold. Follow and
modify them to your needs, steal ideas, or just think how you might make all of
it even better. Maybe I can alleviate
any trepidation you might harbor about building your own super cost effective,
energy efficient, state-of-the-art green home.
This is
also a great time to offer the hands-on DIY straw bale construction workshops
which many of you have requested. As
soon as I know the approximate building schedule I will organize classes and
costs for each phase. There will be a
discount for those wanting to learn it all.
Workshops will include green building design principles, how to build a foundation,
slab floor with floor radiant tubing beneath, rough plumbing and wiring to meet
codes, straw bale work, roofing, and finish detail work like lime plastering
and making your own concrete counter tops.
In the
Green Means column, over this next year, interspersed among other relevant home
building topics, I’ll chronicle our steps, joys and challenges, in building a
straw bale cottage. And since more heads
and didactic conversations lead to great things, if you have any awe-inspiring
ideas on cost savings or building tips to help other DIYers, please e-mail
me. If they apply, I’ll post them in
upcoming columns.
Winter 2012-2013:
Planning Phase
Planning
involves deciding what to build, how big, where, and so forth. All factors must consider the triple bottom
line: environmental health, human well-being, and economic sustainability. Cost weighs heavily. Cost overruns can cause immense stress and
take the fun out of building, so every consideration and effort must be made to
cut back here and do with less there, without sacrificing quality.
The
question Rob and I asked ourselves is this: Is it possible to build a straw
bale, green, primarily solar heated, mother-in-law cottage for around
$40,000. We’re going to try our best. Or should I say, we will do it or die trying.
Determination is paramount for DIY project success. Never underestimate human will.
Well, that
initial planning phase was easy! Now
let’s go further.
In keeping
with sound green build principles, the cottage will be constructed upon
previously disturbed ground, utilize passive and active solar applications, use
healthy responsibly harvested and manufactured materials, feel good to inhabit,
and prove economically rational to build and operate after completion.
When trying
to figure out a style and floor plan my first thought was: How will this space
be used? What will make it highly
functional? What can I do to make this
room or living space feel and look good?
Function precedes the form.
I like
harmony amongst buildings. Since our
existing house and garage have roof pitches of 4 on 12 (4 feet rise over 12
feet of linear distance) and corrugated roofs, I want the cottage to have the
same. Metal roofs last a lifetime, hold
up to the elements, and are aesthetically pleasing. Corrugated styles prove less expensive than
standing seam. The roof must accommodate
a south facing solar array, so over such a small structure, there can’t be too
many corners, angles, or small sections.
One or two broad areas such as a gable or shed style would work
well. I like the looks of shed roofs
for a modern casual, or also a rustic look, so we’ll try that.
Since floor
area is limited the interior space must be open, with few interior walls. The longest east-west wall will face directly
south, with 12% glazing (glass) of total floor space on the south wall to
maximize solar gain during cold winter months.
Glazing on other sides will allow cross ventilation or breeze pathways, make
rooms feel good, but kept to a minimum.
Everyone likes a view, and fresh air is important to human health indoor
environmental quality. Quality glass
matters, so installing aluminum clad, double or triple pane, Low E glazing, may
be the single largest expense on the project.
Ouch.
Solar floor
radiant heat and domestic hot water, with flash on-demand hot water back-up
will account for primary energy consumption.
Maybe there will be a wood stove for ambiance. Very likely the solar system will be the
second most costly element for the cottage, yet it should pay for itself in
approximately four years - the amount of time our homes’ solar system realized
payback.
Considering
that too many corners cost more and take longer to construct. I came up with a small rectangular building,
36’l by 24’w, 864 square feet. Since
straw bale walls take up approximately 24” of space the resulting interior
space will be around 640 square feet. Wow,
sounds small. On the bright side,
smaller costs less.
We’ve
reduced potential costs by planning to build small, reducing corners, keeping a
simple roof line, and planning for energy efficiency. I’ll provide more cost reducing strategies in
my next column.
If you are
interested in participating in DIY green building classes during the 2013
construction season, please e-mail me at the address below.
Shannon Scott
is a green home owner, designer, and builder, and LEED Green Associate. She
and her husband live in northwestern Nevada in a straw bale home they designed
and built without hired help. She can be
reached at: greenmeansnv@gmail.com
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