Bajame - 10-25-2005 at 10:59 AM
Have been checking out this type of housing. homes make of sand and stucco. very little lumber required. Can withstand all types of weather and is
earth friendly. check out cal earth.com. People from all over the world are looking into this. Homes of the future. Perfect for baja.
Spyderman - 10-25-2005 at 03:23 PM
cal earth.com doesn't come up, nor does a google search for cal earth.
Spyderman - 10-25-2005 at 03:36 PM
Found it, it's calearth.org
Bob and Susan - 10-25-2005 at 03:55 PM
Where is the rebar???
Haven't these people heard of earthquakes???
NOT safe....This is why thousands die in earthquakes in Iran.
bajalou - 10-25-2005 at 08:00 PM
One of the Three Vault ones was built here at Pete's Camp over the last year. It apears to me that they are using something to solidify the material
"Soil Cement" so that in the end it might solidify like concrete.
Cal Earth
John M - 10-26-2005 at 04:27 AM
Cal Earth is several miles from where we live. If there is real interest we can stop by there this weekend and get details of what you want to know.
We drove by the place once and couldn't figure out how they make such a mish-mash of a business place look so tidy. To us it looked like the weeds
were about to overtake everything.
Please post any questions we should ask. I can try to get brochures or what information they have. I believe it's open mostly on weekends.
John M.
wilderone - 10-26-2005 at 10:22 AM
Straw bale is the way to go in Baja. There are contractors that specialize in these.
bajagrouper - 10-26-2005 at 10:52 AM
Baja would look great with these giant beehives dotting the landscape...They would look better in Saudi Arabia or in a Star War movie set...
bajalou - 10-26-2005 at 11:05 AM
Lots of strawbale in San Felipe area - but a lot now going to Rastra & a couple others. - way less cracks.
jerry - 10-26-2005 at 11:20 AM
maybe im wrong but what does one save by using these methods it seems like the filler or insulation is the only difference all the methods still need
cement to cover the inside and out side to seal the surface and or hold it together and if your building a good building you still need reinforced
column every so often with rebar to bear the load of the roof and second storys and span windows and doors so in my thinking the best insulator and
filling in the walls and celing would be stirafoam with the metal mesh so its self reinforcing for the spacings between the columns its uniform and
will take less plaster to cover and seal how much plaster does it take to get good coverage on a irigular bail of hay?? im thinking that most
buildings are built this way for a reason and that the rest is just reinventing the wheel
here in oregon people build log houses there gorgouse but the cost a lot more then a typical house
ther are problems with shrinking, the insulation value less, plumbing ,and electrical can be a nightmare or unsightl, the upkeep and maintain is
high and theres a lot more board foot of lumber the a typical house financing has been a problem too
i offten thought about building my own house out of rock baja has some of the greatest rock i have ever seen
but when i look at the history of baja and its earthquakes and missions flatened i think ill stick to more conventional building thats strutually
sound abd use the rock for decor have a good one jerry
bajalou - 10-26-2005 at 12:35 PM
These other methods use re-bar and are filled with concrete. Check out
http://rastra.net/rastracom/web-site/
others are somewhat similar.
bajalou - 10-26-2005 at 02:23 PM
It is straw, not hay. Straw is not food for any bugs, mice etc. If you keep it sealed they can not use it to make nests.
comitan - 10-26-2005 at 02:46 PM
Jerry
Periods or not, I agree with what you are saying comletely.
jerry - 10-26-2005 at 03:29 PM
sorry larry im not the kinda guy who has a period but i been semi retired since i was 44 you?? see how mutch time i can save without a period
Bob and Susan - 10-26-2005 at 05:39 PM
I hope no COWS or HORSES get near those straw bale houses
"Gone in 60 Seconds"
Bob and Susan - 10-26-2005 at 05:40 PM
Oh Oh they eat hay don't they
Bajame - 10-26-2005 at 10:16 PM
These houses our made of sand or earth that is in sand bags and pounded down, three strands of barb wire are laid on them. I don't know much more but
they are having a open house on the 1st of DEC. They also had a program on TV. Bale houses, if they get moisture in them they can ignite.
Bedman - 10-27-2005 at 12:31 AM
I've read that there is also a problem with ground moisture and mold in the straw houses. Anybody able to confirm this problem?
Bedman
Spyderman - 10-27-2005 at 05:52 AM
cool