Design Build Live: Straw Bale Wall Raising

From the Design Build Live Website

Saturday, April 4, 9:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Instructor: Norm Ballinger

Location: Between Manor and Elgin, Texas

Fee: $75 - Registration required (You will be asked to create an account. Click HERE if you already have an account.)

Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Straw bale walls are perhaps the best known of all the natural building elements. These thick walls are valued for their incredible thermal insulation as well as their beauty. Several straw bale structures have been built in Central Texas over the last two decades, ranging from garden walls to three storey homes and even commercial buildings.

Straw bale wall raisings, like old-fashioned barn raisings, bring people together to share knowledge, skill, work, food and camaraderie. During this upcoming workshop we will learn many of the skills needed to build a house of straw, including:

Preparing foundations for straw bale walls

Stacking and securing bales

Making custom bale

Stabilizing with external pinning

Attaching window and door bucks

The project is a 2,000 square foot home for Sarah Graham and Brent Jones, who fell in love with the beauty and sustainability of straw bale construction after reading just one book on the topic. Read about their story and see the project’s progress at www.safiandshmuel.com .

Austin musician and natural builder Norm Ballinger will lead the workshop and complete the walls. Norm and his wife, Cat, live in “The Treehouse”, a three-story straw bale home in South Austin.

Fee for the workshop is $75 and includes a healthy vegetarian lunch and all necessary workshop materials and tools. Water, coffee and tea will also be provided. Enrollment is limited to twenty people. Register for the workshop HERE or contact Gayle at 512-478-9033.

An Ordinance 200 G -0 3 -1 2 -0 1 7 9 Approving And Adopting The Recommendations Of The Mayor's Sustainable Building Task Force

The ordinance based on the Mayor's Sustainable Building Task Force was passed by the city council on March 12. A pdf of the Ordinance (200 G -0 3 -1 2 -0 1 7 9) is on line but sometimes it is useful to have a document in html format. Naturally it is very long. But you can follow the read more link below to the full text in html.

This text was copied from the pdf and put into Word using character recognition, so there may be some missing or garbled text in this version. If you need to be certain about the wording of the ordinance be sure to rely on the city's pdf which is signed by Mayor Hardberger and the city attorney.

On the city's pdf, quite a few sections are underlined. That underlining is not here. I'm not sure of the meaning of it. But until someone tells me otherwise I'll guess that those sections were revised between the draft and final stages.

AN ORDINANCE 200 g -0 3 -1 2 -0 1 7 9
APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MAYOR'S SUSTAINABLE BUILDING TASK FORCE, PROVIDING FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY CODE TO IMPLEMENT CERTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND FOR SEVERANCE.
* * * * *
WHEREAS, during the 2009 State of the City Address, Mayor Phil Hardberger announced his "Mission Verde" effort to begin building a 21 8t Century energy infrastructure for the City of San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, as a component of the "Mission Verde" plan, the Mayor established a Sustainable Building Task Force, consisting of representatives from key stakeholder groups whose mission was "to develop building strategies that enhance San Antonio's capacity to experience a resilient and environmentally sensitive future, emphasizing and focused on energy and water conservation"; and



WHEREAS, the City of San Antonio supports the adoption and implementation of energy provisions that result in energy savings of 15% or greater than the currently adopted code in 2008 (International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2000 with 2001 supplement and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1 1999), the goal of 30% energy savings in 2012 over the currently adopted code in 2008 (IECC 2000 with 2001 supplement and ASHRAE 90.1 1999), the goal of net-zero carbon by 2030 with the intent to provide flexibility to permit the use of innovative approaches and techniques to achieve the effective use of energy and to reduce greenhouse gas and ozone precursor emissions in San Antonio and which is not intended to abridge safety, health, or environmental requirements contained in other applicable codes or Ordinances; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO:
SECTION 1. The San Antonio City Council approves and adopts the recommendations of the Mayor's Sustainable Building Task Force as provided for in this Ordinance.
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall regulate the design and construction of new buildings, building additions, or level 3 alterations as defined in the International Existing Building Code 2006 for the effective use of energy and will take effect on January 1, 2010. This Ordinance shall be publicly reviewed before March 1, 2012. After that date, it shall be reviewed, and amended as needed, every three years at a minimum. The Director, Planning and Development Services Department, shall be permitted to approve specific computer software (including at least one free, publicly-available source), worksheets, compliance manuals, and other similar materials that meet the intent of this Ordinance.
SECTION 3. Chapter 6, Article XV. International Energy Conservation Code, section 6·658 is amended by adding a Preamble and new sections (b) and (c), and to reflect the following changes underline indicating new.
ARTICLE XV. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE
PREAMBLE: The City of San Antonio supports the adoption and implementation of energy provisions that result in energy savings of 15% or greater than the currently adopted code in 2008 (IECC 2000 with 2001 supplement and ASHRAE 90.1 1999), the goal of 30% energy savings in 2012 over the currently adopted code in 2008 (IECC 2000 with 2001 sURplement and ASHRAE 90.1 1999), the goal of net-zero carbon by 2030 with the intent to provide flexibility to permit the use of innovative approaches and techniques to achieve the effective use of energy and to reduce greenhouse gas and ozone precursor emissions in San Antonio and which is not intended to abridge safety, health, or environmental requirements contained in other awlicable codes or Ordinances.
The City of San Antonio approves the goals of the following recommendations of the Sustainable Building Task Force:
That the Planning and Development Services Department. Office of Public Utilities within Finance, and the Office of Environmental Policy coordinate with CPS Energy and San Antonio Water System (SAWS) to evaluate a new construction residential and commercial financial incentive program to include the provision of specific rebates or other incentives, with an ultimate goal of achieving net zero carbon by 2030 and be designed to reward improved performance in a scaled fashion, within the current limitations of all applicable laws and regulations.
2. That the City of San Antonio create a marketing and education awareness campaign which is a unified comprehensive community-wide outreach effort supporting an advanced sustainable buildings initiative.
That CPS Energy and SAWS provide existing rebate and incentive information to the City of San Antonio to coordinate and promote incentives to provide one-stop information.
That the Planning and Development Services DeRartment, with assistance from the Office of Environmental Policy, provide information on sustainable building practices and incentives to encourage residential and commercial developers to exceed minimum code requirements and serve as a clearinghouse for green building information from a wide and ever-increasing variety of sources.
That the City of San Antonio Office of Environmental Policy coordinate education awareness with other agencies or organizations that include workshops. trainings, and seminars which will provide sustainable building practices for residential and commercial buildings that exceed minimum code requirements.
That the City of San Antonio evaluate the feasibility of offering a property tax exemption for new homes and tax abatement or phase-in for new commercial buildings that achieve high energy performance levels, including participation in a third party verified green rating system addressing residential and commercial building. Such considerations may include a minimum HERS score for residential buildings.
7. That the City of San Antonio evaluate the feasibility of offering an additional amount of property tax abatement or phase-in for new homes and commercial buildings that utilize on-site renewable energy.
8 That the City of San Antonio Office of Environmental Policy promote an annual San Antonio Green Leadership awards program to recognize all new residential and commercial builders, architects, and others that significantly exceed the minimum code and to post those names on the City's website and through additional public media outlets.
9. That CPS Energy and SAWS evaluate incentives and rebates to support energy and water conservation for programs that exceeds code and include such programs in a unified city-wide promotion.

10. That the City of San Antonio evaluate the feasibility of funding for incentives through the Planning and Development Services Department. which could include fast-track permitting and reimbursement of fees, within the limitations of the current enterprise organization structure.
11. That energy incentives be provided to achieve 30% or greater savings above the currently adopted energy code; and
12. That a Stakeholder Sustainable Building Committee (SSBC) be formed which consists of representatives of architectural, engineering, construction, development, green building and building code professionals. Among other duties, the SSBC would monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the Mayor's Task Force on Sustainable Buildings and meet as needed but not less often than every three years to review COSA sustainability energy policies and goals. The SSBC would measure periodic progress and recommend the establishment or modification of interim goals to attain agreed long-term goals. Interim and long-term goals would be evaluated and recommended for amendment as required on the basis of sustainable environmental and community benefits, return on investment and practical impact on the regulated community. In 2012 the interim goal would target 30% above the current code in effect in 2008 (IECC 2000 with 2001 supplement and ASHRAE 90.1 1999); incentives will increase proportionately to achieve greater savings. Finally, should the energy needs/uses of existing buildings be examined in the future, the SSBC would be charged with the responsibility to present recommendations to City Council.
Sec. 6-658. Adoption of the International Energy Conservation Code.
(a) The 2000 International Energy Conservation Code with 2001 supplement is hereby adopted as the energy conservation code for the city. The 2000 International Energy Conservation Code with 2001 Supplement is incorporated herein as fully as if set out at length and three (3) copies ofboth have been and are now filed in the office of the city clerk for permanent record and inspection pursuant to section 17 of the City Charter. From the date on which the article shall take effect, the provisions thereof are controlling within the limits of the city .
(b) Beginning January 1. 2010, energy usage in one-and two-family and multi-family dwellings, 3 stories or less, must achieve an efficiency rate of 15% above the current City of San Antonio energy code that was in effect in 2008 (IECC 2000 with 2001 supplement and ASHRAE 90.1 1999) by complying with any of the following options:
1. IECC 2009 (as approved and/or amended by the City of San Antonio and/or Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL». This meets the 15% standard referenced above.
2. Energy Star Certification Compliance. This meets the 15% standard referenced above.
3. Software or energy modeling tools or prescriptive building packages approved by the City of San Antonio Building Official and/or ESL. A demonstrated passing score satisfies the 15% standard referenced above.
4. Approved compliance methods as adopted by the State of Texas and/or Energy Systems Lab (ESL). A demonstrated passing score satisfies the 15% standard referenced above.
5. Build San Antonio Green, USGBC LEED-H, or other third-party certification program that meets or exceeds the energy requirements as approved by the Code Official shall be considered 10 compliance. This meets the 15% standard referenced above.
(c) Beginning January 1, 2010, buildings not covered in (b) above must achieve an efficiency rate of 15% above the current City of San Antonio energy code that was in effect in 2008 (IECC 2000 with 2001 supplement and ASHRAE 90.1 1999) by complying with any of the following options:
L COMcheck or other software as approved by Planning and Development Services based on existing codes (ASHRAE 90.1 1999 & IECC 2000 with 2001 supplements) showing 15% or above the passing score.
2. COMcheck based on ASHRAE 90.1 2007. A passing score satisfies the 15% standard referenced above.
3..COMcheck based on IECC 2009 (when IECC 2009 is available and approved by ESL). A passing score satisfies the 15% standard referenced
4. ASHRAE 90.1 2007 energy modeling analysis approved methods. This meets the 15% standard referenced above.
5. ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guidelines. This meets the 15% standard referenced above.
6. Software or energy modeling methods or prescriptive building packages as adopted by the City of San Antonio Building Official and/or ESL. A demonstrated passing score satisfies the 15% standard referenced above.
7. Approved compliance methods that meet the new energy requirements herein as adopted by the State of Texas. A demonstrated Qassing score satisfies the 15% standard referenced above.
8. USGBC LEED or other third-party certification program that meets or exceeds the energy requirements as approved by the Code Official shall be considered in compliance.
9. Performance rating calculations and documentation shall be in accordance with the International Building Code, "Performance Rating Method", and shall be submitted with each application for a building permit. Documentation, including calculations, shall be prepared by a registered design professionaL
SECTION 4. Chapter 6, Article III. Building Code, is amended to reflect the following changes, underline indicating new:
Sec. 6-37. Local Amendments to the IBC
*************
SECTION 1502 DEFINITIONS
1502.1 General. The following words and terms shall, for the purposes ofthis chapter and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown herein.
Energy Star Certified Roof: Applicable to 2:12 sloped roofs or less. A roof that is Energy Star certified. Energy Star is a joint program of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department ofEnergy.
**********
SECTION 1506 MATERIALS
1506.1 Scope. The requirements set forth in this section shall apply to the application ofroof~ covering materials specified herein. Roof coverings shall be applied in accordance with this chapter and the manufacturer's installation instructions. Installation of roof coverings shall comply with the applicable provisions of Section 1507. Beginning January 1, 2010, Energy Star Certified roofs shall be required on all new buildings with a roof slope of 2: 12 or less.
Exception: Buildings with a use classification of Group R-2, R-3, or R-4 and 3 stories or
SECTION 5. Chapter 6, Article V. Mechanical Code, is amended to reflect the following change, underline indicating new:
Sec. 6-67. Amendments
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107.2.1 New, Altered, extended or repaired systems. New mechanical systems and parts of existing systems, which have been altered, extended, renovated or repaired, shall be tested as prescribed herein to disclose leaks and defects. Beginning January 1, 2010, all ducts in unconditioned spaces of all new Group R-3 Residential occupancies shall be duct tested prior to covering or concealment as prescribed herein to disclose leaks and defects.
SECTION 6. Chapter 6, Article XIII. International Residential Code is amended to reflect the following change, underline indicating new:
Sec. 6-631. Local Amendments to the IRe
*************
SECTION RI09 INSPECTIONS AND TESTING
RI09,1 Types ofinspections and tests. For onsite construction, from time to time the building official, upon notification from the permit holder or his agent, shall make or cause to be made any necessary inspections and tests and shall approve that portion of the construction as completed or shall notify the permit holder or his or her agent wherein the same fails to comply with this code.
RI09.1.2 Plumbing, mechanical, gas and electrical systcms inspections and tests. Rough inspections of plumbing, mechanical, gas and electrical systems shall be made prior to covering or concealment, before fixtures or appliances are set or installed, and prior to framing inspection.
Exception: Back-filling of ground-source heat pump loop systems tested in accordance with Section M21 05.1 prior to inspection shall be permitted.
Beginning January 1, 2010, for all one-and two-family dwellings, all ducts in unconditioned spaces shall be duct tested prior to covering or concealment to disclose leaks and defects. Tests shall be made by an independent certified RESNET energy rater or an alternate approved by the building official using objective, verifiable testing criteria and results provided to the building official. Apparatus, material and labor reguired for testing a mechanical system shall be furnished by the independent certified RESNET energy rater or building official approved alternate. Where any work or installation does not pass an initial test or inspection, the necessary corrections shall be made so as to achieve compliance with this code. The work or installation shall then be resubmitted to the building official for inspection and testing.

SECTION 7. Chapter 24, Article II. Plumbing Code, ofthe City Code of San Antonio, Texas, is amended to reflect the following changes, underline indicating new:
Sec. 24-12. Amendments
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402.8 Certain Plumbing Fixtures. When installing gravity flush toilets, bathroom aerators, showerheads, urinals in new buildings on or after January 1, 2010, unless specifically stated otherwise, the fixtures will meet or exceed the following performance standards; and where the Environmental Protection Agency has accepted that specific plumbing fixtures by make and model, meet or exceed the WaterSense standards, such fixtures installed will be from the most current listing available at the time of installation:
a. Gravity flush toilets shall have a maximum average water use of no more than
1.28 gallons per flush.
b. Faucet aerators for bathrooms shall have a maximum water flow of 1.5 gallons per minute.
c. Showerheads shall have a maximum water flow of 2.0 gallons ner minute. All associated valves must be appropriate to the flows.
d. Urinals in commercial buildings shall have a maximum water use of 0.5 gallons per flush.
**********
609.11 Hot Water Lines. Buildings with a use classification of Group R-2, R-3, or R~4, as defined in the International Building Code and that are 3 stories or less without a dedicated hot-water return line with runs exceeding 20 feet between the heating element and the end use fixture shall be insulated with R4 sleeve insulation or with materials approved by the Planning and Development Services Department (such as 5/8" foam). A dedicated return loop with an on-demand system is an acceptable alternative. Insulation will not be required to be continuous through studs.
SECTION 8. The following sections of Chapter 34, Water and Sewers, of the City Code of San Antonio, Texas, is amended to reflect the following changes, underline indicating new and strikeout deleted:
Sec. 34-271. Definitions.
********** Large property means a tract of land or several tracts of land managed as a group such as commonly found in neighborhood common areas or medians and street setbacks commonly found associated with commercial development regardless of the number of meters or individual parcel sizes associated with the property [owned by a geftet'a1 etls1:omer] that equals or exceeds five (5) acres in size and has an irrigation system covering all or a portion of the property.
Large property means a tract of land or several tracts of land managed as a group such as commonly found in neighborhood common areas or medians and street setbacks commonly found associated with commercial development regardless of the number of meters or individual parcel sizes associated with the property [oWfled by a general 6Hstomer] that equals or exceeds five (5) acres in size and has an irrigation system covering all or a portion ofthe property.
Large use property means any property that uses 1 million gallons of water or more for irrigation purposes in a single calendar year.
************
Sec. 34-273. Activities to be regulated on or after January 1, 2006. is amended by the following changes to sections (1) and (2) and the addition of new sections (8), (9), and (10), as follows:
*************
(1) Minimum irrigation area and flow direction. Newly installed irrigation systems using pop-up spray or rotor technology shall not be used in landscaped areas which have both:
a. Dimensions less than five (5) feet in length and/or width; and,
b. Impervious pedestrian or vehicular traffic surfaces along two (2) or more perimeters.
Where pop-up sprays and rotor heads are allowed in newly installed irrigation systems, they:
a. Must direct flow away from any adjacent impervious surface; and
b. Shall not be placed within four (4) inches from an impervious surface.
c. Irrigation systems newly installed in one-and two-family dwellings may not cover more than 10,000 square feet of landscape with spray or rotor irrigation heads. The use of drip irrigation or micro-sprays may be used to expand the coverage size upon approval of the landscape plan by SAWS.
(2) Annual irrigation system analysis for athletic fields, golf courses, large use and large properties.
a. An annual irrigation system analysis shall be required for all athletic fields, golf courses~ large use and large properties and shall be submitted in writing to the San Antonio Water System Conservation Department on or before May 1 st of each year [, begiooiRg OR May 1, 2006]. Golf courses, athletic fields, and large properties that meet the definition of large use and large use properties regardless of size including residential properties must have a licensed irrigator signoff on the annual irrigation system analysis. Golf courses, either than those utilizing recycled water for irrigation in accordance with an agreement with SAWS, shall comply with residential irrigation requirements on areas other than tee boxes, fairways and greens.
*************
(8) Certain Plumbing Fixtures.
When installing gravity flush toilets, bathroom aerators, showerheads, urinals in new buildings on or after January 1, 2010, unless specifically stated otherwise, the fixtures wi11 meet or exceed the following performance standards; and where the Environmental Protection Agency has accepted that specific plumbing fixtures by make and model, meet or exceed the WaterSense standards, such fixtures installed will be from the most current listing available at the time of installation:
d. Urinals in commercial buildings shall have a maximum water use of 0.5 gallons per flush.
(9) Coin Operated Washing Machines.
All newly installed coin-operated washing machines including, but not limited to those that might be found in laundry-mats, apartment houses, dorms or other communal use situations shall be selected from Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) that meet or exceed the most current Tier 2 water and energy standards as detennined by the CEE.
(10) Hot Water Lines.
Buildings with a use classification of Group R-2, R-3, or R-4, as defined in the International Building Code and that are 3 stories or less without a dedicated hot-water return line with runs exceeding 20 feet between the heating element and the end use fixture shall be insulated with R4 sleeve insulation or with materials approved by the Planning and Development Services Department (such as 5/8" foam). A dedicated return loop with an on-demand system is an acceptable alternative. Insulation will not be required to be continuous through studs.
*************
Sec. 34-275. Landscaping regulations generally applicable on and after January 1,2006. is amended by the addition of a new section (6) as follows:
************
(6) Irrigation system use, setting and schedule recommendations.
All irrigators installing irrigation systems permitted by the City of San Antonio shall provide to the irrigation system owner a recommended seasonal irrigation schedule and instructions on how to use the irrigation system and set the controller. Seasonal schedules provided will be approved by the SAWS Conservation Director or designee. The schedule will be affixed to the irrigation controller or an adjacent wall.
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SECTION 9. The City Council finds that the amendments to Chapter 34 of the San Antonio Municipal Code as described above are in the nature of tariff revisions to terms and conditions of water delivery service by the San Antonio Water System. Further, the City Council finds that the amendments are in the public interest; and are fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory.
SECTION 10. To the extent there is a conflict with another Ordinance or provision of the City Code, this Ordinance shall supersede.
SECTION 11. All other provisions of the City Code of San Antonio, Texas shall remain in full force and effect unless expressly amended by this Ordinance.
SECTION 12. Should any Article, Section, Part, Paragraph, Sentence, Phrase, Clause, or Word of this Ordinance, for any reason be held illegal, inoperative, or invalid, or if any exception to or limitation upon any general provision herein contained be held to be unconstitutional or invalid or ineffective, the remainder shall, nevertheless, stand effective and valid as if it had been enacted and ordained without the portion held to be unconstitutional or invalid or ineffective.
SECTION 13. The City Clerk is directed to publish notice of this Ordinance in accordance with Section 17 ofthe Charter ofthe City of San Antonio.
SECTION 14. The publishers of the City Code of San Antonio, Texas, are authorized to amend said Code to reflect the changes adopted herein and to correct typographical errors and to format and number paragraphs to conform to the existing code.
SECTION 15. This Ordinance shall take effect on January 1 st, 2010.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 12th day of March 2009 #~
Phil Hardberger
MAYOR

CHECK IT OUT- - Glorious Mud! by Gus W Van Beek. Ancient and Contemporary Earthen Design.

In "CHECK IT OUT" posts we'll spotlight books on green subjects available at our own San Antonio Public Library. First up is "Glorious Mud" by Gus W. Van Beek with Ora Van Beek. This 500 page book, profusely illustrated with black and white photos, documents the investigations of the former curator for anthropology at the National Museum of Natural History into earth built buildings the world over.

Unlike other books on natural construction this book also looks into the ancient history of earth buildings. This is not a how-to book, it is more of a survey of earth building methods and their history. It might well serve as an inspiration to a modern builder to see the multi-storied mud brick buildings of Yemen or the the rammed earth houses of Germany. To hear that the longest lasting structures of ancient Egypt were made of mud might be give confidence to someone interested in rammed earth building today. Though Mr. Van Beek suggests at one point that perhaps "adobe" would be a more attractive word to use than "mud".

Ora Van Beek, travelling with her husband, was able to gain access to the female only interior quarters in muslim countries which her husband could not, this gives a new insight into daily life in present day Pakistan and elsewhere.

The sustainable building enthusiast will find much to enjoy in this book and will come away with a much broader understanding of the many methods of using earth for building. If only the pictures were in color. Black and white photos do not do justice to the beauty of these buildings.

This book is currently in the New Books section of the Central Library. It was given to the library in honor of Library Foundation board member, Lamar Spencer. Considering the book sells on Amazon for $99.95 checking it out free from the library is quite a bargain. You can even reserve it online.

Glorious mud!; ancient and contemporary earthen design and construction in North Africa, Western Europe, the Near East, and Southwest Asia.
560 pages, Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press (December 28, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0978846001, SBN-13: 978-0978846008

San Antonio Roger Rasbach Mansion for sale (with pictures) (Post updated 12/2010)

(As of December 2010 this realtor still has the photos up and apparently it is still for sale.  With that beautiful little lake why doesn't the city buy it and make a beautiful park just where it is needed!).

Several years ago Roger Rasbach spoke at SAC and many members of our group were able to attend. In the 1950's and early 1960's his designs were frequently featured in House Beautiful, including several homes built in San Antonio. His homes at that time were classic mid-century modern with many features we would consider elements of green building today, including careful siting, passive solar, use of local materials and use of natural ventilation.

A 1961 San Antonio mansion of his design is currently for sale. This allows us to take a peek at it by way of the realtor's site.  Of course if you can talk your way into a tour of the $1,600,000 six thousand square foot, 5 bedroom 7 1/2 bath then that's another option.

Though the house near Callaghan and Vance Jackson has been renovated and changed quite a bit inside you can still see the exposed roof rafters, open floor plan, generous use of glass and local stone that marked his designs at the time.

Mr. Rasbach passed away July 30, 2003. Throughout his career he continued to develop his ideas. He became a pioneer of green building. His book "The Provident Planner" published in 1976 contrasted the improvident wasteful, inefficient and hard to maintain with the provident. He showed how to transform an improvident home into a provident one.


His newly built  Provident Homes included Thermasave SIPS for insulation and steel framing to deter termites.

December 2010 Addition.
This post is getting some hits this month perhaps due to the offer for sale of a 1965 Rasbach home in  Rollingwood Texas.

So I thought I'd add a little bit to it off the top of my head.

I'm no Rasbach expert but I did hear him speak, look at some of his House Beautiful designs and read the Provident Planner. Advertisement for the Provident Planner in Texas Monthly via Google Books.


To my knowledge, Mr. Rasbach's designs from the beginning to the early 1970's seem to have included lots of glass in a typical Mid-Century style.  His rule of thumb for a Provident Home though was that it should have l0% or less fenestration, which is a far cry from his early work.

He advocated built in furniture, which is in line with his modernist background.  He argued that built ins made for easier cleaning.  Ease of cleaning is also why he advocated wide baseboards and door casements.  He suggested that light switches be placed in the woodwork surrounding doors because such glossy painted surfaces would be easier to clean of the inevitable finger prints.

He didn't like the idea of people taking time out of their lives to paint and repaint walls.  

His advice on flooring differed from today's green architects.  While he advocated for permanence in driveways, he did not seek permanent interior flooring. (He wanted permanent concrete drives rather than temporary asphalt ones.)

Inside he suggested that a sacrificial surface be used in high traffic areas.  Vinyl or rubber floors in the kitchen and hallways which could be replaced as needed while providing an easy to clean and relatively soft surface was his suggestion.

Green Camp SA, Saturday May 9, 2009: An Unconference. Learn from and teach your green peers, exchange ideas and start solving problems.

Green Camp San Antonio, May 9 2009 , 9 to 4 at the Pearl Stables on the renovated and reused Pearl Brewery grounds will be unlike any conference in San Antonio this year.

In fact the organizers call it an "unconference and a gathering of people to share & learn in an open environment with discussions, demos & interaction." Admission is free but you will need a ticket, which you can get from Eventbrite. Volunteers and donations are also welcome.

When you sign up for your ticket you will be asked for three topics you most want discussed at Green Camp. You will also be asked what presentations you could make. It isn't a top down event. The agenda is determined on the day of the event.

The Green Camp unconference is modeled on PodCamp which focuses on new media and BarCamp which focused originally on web applications but whose concept has been applied to explorations of public transit, health care and political organizing. PodCamp San Antonio Dos took place in May of 2008.

Classic Australian Hills Hoists Clothelines now available in the USA

The Hills Hoist rotary clothes line is a icon of Australian life. Though often imitated, the Hills Hoist has the reputation as the very best in outdoor rotary clothes lines. But they have only been available in the USA on a very limited basis, until now.

The hoist features a geared cranked lift that raises the unit so that your clothes can catch the breeze. It is also designed to allow you to remove the unit from the ground so that your yard is not permanently graced with a spinning clothesline.

Currently they are available on line from breezedryer.com and from other purveyors reached through the official US site linedryit.com.

Here are some reasons to give line drying a try: (Provided by Hills)

• Line Drying Saves Energy: Second to the refrigerator, the electric dryer is the second biggest household user of electricity. According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, as of 2005 there were 88 million dryers in the United States. Each of these consumes approximately 1,079 kilowatt hours of energy per household, emitting 2,224 pounds of carbon dioxide. Every individual who chooses to do one less dryer load makes a difference.
• Clothes typically last longer without the duress of a machine dryer.
• Exposure to sunlight is the best natural bleach for your clothes.
  
• Line Drying kills germs: The sun's ultraviolet rays are an antiseptic and kill bacteria.
• Line Drying is perfect for things that can't go in the dyer- rubber backed throw rugs, car mats, extra large blankets.
• Line Drying inside on a retractable or folding clothesline is a great humidifier for your plants, skin and hair.

Line drying tips:

• Shake out clothing before hanging to diminish wrinkles.
• Hang shirts and tops from the hem or tail so clothespin marks don’t show.
• Add vinegar to the rinse water (1/2 cup per load) to prevent any drying stiffness. Vinegar removes soap residues that cause stiffness and, as the clothing dries, the odor disappears so you don’t have to worry about smelling like a pickle!

FIRST EARTH documentary offers views of notable and beautiful natural buildings

FIRST EARTH- Uncompromising Ecological Architecture is a new documentary to be on the look out for if you have any interest in the beauty of natural architecture and in the possible implications of more widespread building with earth.

The segment from youtube below entitled "American Earth" includes view of Taos Pueblo and interviews with, Meka Bunch of Kleiworks and natural builder artist, Sun Ray Kelly, who designed the new structure on Chapel Hill at the Kerrville Folk Festival site. (Photo by Peter and Hui-i Morehead of Earth Passengers.org in Taiwan.)


The documentary is currently being screened at festivals and special events. The documentary website has wonderful galleries of natural buildings on four continents.