1 .

0 NATURAL BUILDING METHODS – SOLUTIONS FOR A

SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

We are facing a climate crisis that needs to be addressed at all levels and in all
parts of the world. New and better solutions have to be developed. The building
industry and houses consume a large proportion of the total climate gas
emissions. We need to develop houses that are far more energy efficient than
today. We have to move from the use of building materials that causes large
consumption of energy (climate gas emissions) in production – like cement /
concrete, metals and plastics, to the use of natural and low energy materials, like
wood, straw, earth, stone, clay etc. The widespread use of new and synthetic
building materials in modern buildings causes serious health- and environmental
problems.

“Natural buildings” seek to develop sustainable architecture based on natural

materials, appropriate technology and a holistic approach. For more than 20
years there has been a movement in the western countries to develop solutions
for “Natural buildings”. New ideas and concepts have been combined with
traditional knowledge and building techniques and can be adopted to very
different situations. In this way the concept of “natural buildings” will be relevant to
solve the problems connected to the modern houses and be a contribution to
develop more energy efficient and healthy houses based on traditional building
techniques.

The concept of “natural buildings” has a focus on 3 key-issues;

 Energy efficient design; first step is to try to reduce the need of energy to
heating and light. Good insulation, compact shape of the house, situating
and orientation of the house related to local climate, etc. Second step is to
make use of the solar energy. The simplest way is to have south facing
windows or greenhouse. Solar panels for heating water and photovoltaic
are further options.
 The use of natural and renewable resources for building strong, lasting
and highly insulated constructions and houses. This includes the use of
straw, straw bales, clay and earth, wood and different insulating materials
based on natural fibers.
 Efficient wood stoves for heating and cooking. In addition to
modern and technologically more advanced iron stoves it is
possible to make highly efficient stoves from stone, brick and
clay. The difference in efficiency from some traditional stoves
to these new stoves can be as much as three times. That
means less firewood, less costs, less pollution and more
heat.

2. Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of the potential cob and straw building is compared to

traditional building materials by using the amount of CO 2 equivalent greenhouse gasses

released. The comparison will be made for the total expected amount to be released

over the entire lifetime of the farm building. Other environmental impacts, such as

potential damage to ecosystems are also being taken into consideration.

The factors that will be included in the lifetime CO 2 equivalent release are the

embodied carbon, the construction, as well the lifetime insulation variances. In

addition, we will consider end of lifetime building removal, and the CO 2 equivalent

impact of the removal of the farm building.

2.1 Embodied Carbon

Embodied carbon is the carbon that is released due to the extraction and preparation of

a material. The future farm building will require significant amount of building material

which will contribute to the environmental impact. The embodied carbon of Cob, Straw

Bale and Concrete blocks has been complied in the following table.
 Material Embodied Carbon kgCO2/Ton
Concrete blocks 143

Cob (Earth Bricks) 22

Straw Bale 10

Table 1. Embodied Carbon of Building Materials. Data citations are located in the bibliography.
 Concrete blocks have the highest embodied carbon of the building materials being

considered in this report. It is an embodied carbon that is an order of magnitude greater

than either cob or straw bale. It is still the most commonly used material for modern

buildings.

Cob as a building material is environmentally positive in terms of embodied carbon. Cob

has significantly lower embodied carbon than concrete blocks, as shown in table X. Since

the constituent materials of cob can be locally sourced and do not need to be processed, it

is able to have a low embodied carbon value.

Straw bale has an even lower embodied carbon value than either cob or concrete. Along

with a significantly lower density than either of the other two materials, it is a clear

frontrunner for the lowest embodied carbon.

2.2 Insulation and Thermal

Straw bale has thermal conductivity value that is much less than traditional portland

cement or even cob as shown in table 2. This intrinsic feature of straw bale keeps the

thermal energy from the interior from escaping to the environment. Additionally, this feature

also keeps thermal energy from entering the building when the environmental temperature

exceeds the desired internal temperature of the building.

Specific Heat Density Thermal

Capacity J kg-1 K-1 kg m-3 Conductivity, W m-1

K-1

Portland Cement 750 2320 0.29

Cob 800 1450 0.45

Straw Bale 600 60 0.067

Table 2. Insulation properties of Building Materials. See bibliography for citations.

 The density of straw bale is significantly smaller than the density of either Portland

cement or cob. Straw bale does not work for thermal energy storage. However, since the

building is not to be used for overnight purposes, the volumetric heat capacity is not

relevant.

2.3 Ecosystem impact

The local ecosystem for the farm building is an important aspect for the

environmental considerations. This analysis does not consider the effects of CO 2 equivalent

gas release, but rather the effects the building materials could have on the local ecosystem.

Cement poses a potential problem for the farms ecosystem in the form of cement dust.

Cement dust is a potential threat to the ecosystem of the farm in terms of “vegetation injury,

crop yield losses” (Iqbal, 2000, p.1). This effect is not desired for a building that will be

contracted near a farm; where crop yields are considered valuable.

2.4 Environmental conclusion

Cob and Straw has a clear advantage over traditional cement in terms of the

environmental impact. It is an order of magnitude better in embodied carbon released, and it

does not cause harm to the local farm ecosystem. Environmentally, Cob and Straw should

be the material of choice.

3 .0 Building techniques

3.1 Cob

This is a traditional earth-building technique known from many parts of the world.
It is a quite simple technique; earth with a certain content of clay is mixed with
water and normally some fibers (straw or manure). This is worked together to a
wet; workable mix which can be laid layer by layer on the walls (which will be laid
in sections, each layer approx. ½ meter high), roughly shaped without any
formwork.
When this starts to dry, it can be cut and shaped to the more or less straight and
final wall. When dry, the clay and the straw bind together and form a strong and
monolithic wall that can take loads from the roof. In the corners and above doors
and windows it is normal to reinforce with branches. In the end the wall will be
plastered with clay inside and outside.

. The use of straw is a well-known method to reduce cracks and to give more
strength to the wall.

3.2 Adobe

Soil with a content of clay is mixed with some fibers and often also some
animal manure. This is then filled into wooden forms, which has the size of the
bricks. These adobe-bricks are left to dry in the sun on the ground. When they
are dry, they can be used as bricks with clay mortar. Adobe technique is
probably the most widespread clay building technique in the world and has
also the advantage of flexibility in use. In
.

ADOBE BRICK PRODUCTION IN VILLAGE CHORMAGZAKONI TOCHIK

The normal size of adobe-bricks is approx. 15 x 15 x 30 cm. to district.
Sometimes the adobe walls stands without plaster, but mostly they are
covered with a clay plaster. The thickness of the wall depends on situation and
size of the building
3.3 clay plaster

There is a natural connection between building techniques like Cob and

Adobe, and the use of clay plaster. To obtain a more weatherproof, wind proof
and also a nice surface, the clay plaster is used. Clay plaster is made of a mix
of clay, silt, sand, fiber and possibly some animal manure. In some locations
this can be the natural mix of the local soil. In other situations, the different
ingredients will be mixed together in proportions. A good clay plaster is made
by applying two to three different layers and can remain with its natural surface
and color or be given a surface treatment and color from lime paint or others. A
good clay plaster should be relatively smooth, without cracks and be able to
protect the wall. The durability of a clay plaster will depend on the quality of the
plaster, the weather situation and also the regularity of maintenance.

CLAY PLASTER WITH LIME.

NEW CLAY PLASTER CLAY PLASTER IN DECAY.
.

3.4 floors

An earthen floor is quite normal in the village houses. These are made
directly on the ground with no insulation.

Normally, there is first a layer with rocks that secure stability and also act
as a humidity barrier. On top of this, there are one or two layers of clay with
some straw. The surface is not treated in a way that prevents tearing and
dust from the clay. Earth floors, like this, are cold, dusty and do not
contribute to a healthy living.

In modern times, most earthen floors are often laid over the top of a subfloor of
tamped gravel or cob or adobe, and then a mixture of clay, sand and fiber are
mixed and leveled onto the subfloor. The finished layer can be 1/2 to 2 inches thick,
and once dry is sealed with a drying oil (like linseed oil). Earthen floors can be laid
over the top of previously installed wood floors but weight can become an issue.

A drying oil like linseed oil is usually used to seal the floor and protect it from wear and
tear. A final coat of a wax sealing finish (perilla oil or floor wax) can be used to
increase durability and luster.

Finished Adobe floor

4.0 Energy efficiency

Cob homes have an amazing ability to regulate the indoor air temperature.
Compare the indoor temperature fluctuations between a cob home and a
Concrete or cinder block home and you will be astonished at the results!
This chart is an example of temperature fluctuations between a concrete
Buildings
And a mud brick building:

Cob is a suitable building material for hot or cold climates due to its ability
To keep indoor temperatures stable. Depending on your comfort levels,
This can eliminate the need for centralized heating systems and air conditioning.
That’s some great energy saving potential right there!
“A mud house with walls 2 ft. (0.6 m) thick, a well-insulated roof, and
Minimum-heat-gain doors and windows would have an indoor temperature
Range varying no more than about 6° – 8° F (3.3° – 4.4° C) year-round in
Most of the USA without central heating and air conditioning!”
– Glorious Mud, Gus W. Van
4.1 Insulated earth floor

It is possible to make a modern earth floor that is insulated, has a smooth clay surface that
doesn’t dust and is easy to clean and wash. Here is a general specification of an insulated clay
floor.
Dig out if necessary and make sure the ground is well compacted. The shape of the ground
should be higher in the middle of the room this is to prevent moisture / water to be able to gather
and also to insulate better in the circumference where the heat loss is highest. The soil should be
smoothed and without sharp stones. It is then recommended to have a plastic tarp as a humidity
barrier before the insulation material.
“Ceramist” (light expanded clay aggregate) is filed at an average thickness of at least 20 cm and
levelled 10 cm under the level of finished floor (approx. 15 cm in the middle and 30 cm in the
circumference)
On top of the ceramist layer the clay floor will be applied. This is made of 3 layers the sub layer is
made from a cob mix with straw and will have a thickness of approx.8cm this must dry before
applying the top layer which is made from finer materials the coat has a thickness of 1.5 – 2 cm
and is leveled and smoothed as good as possible .on tp of this comes the final coat a thin layer
of only 2- 3 mm.
This is preferably made from pure clay (potters clay) mixed with very fine sand and strengthened
with wheat glue and linseed oil.
When the floor is dry it should be oiled or waxed and will then have a smooth beautiful surface
that is strong and can be washed

1- Stone foundation
2- Earth wall
3- Earth ground
4- Plastic membrane
5- Ceramisit
6- Clay – sublayer
7- Clay floor – top layer
8- Insulation of foundation

Earth floor
4.2 ceiling roof

4.2.1 Insulation
Insulating the ceiling of a house is an efficient way to reduce the energy
consumption. Available materials would be straw (of different kind) and
possibly also woodcuttings. The straw can be mixed with clay but the best
insulation effect will be from the use of straw without additives. The gable roof
above will protect from

Weather, but the insulation has to be covered in order to stop air leakages,
mice and fire, and do this in a way that allows for natural breathing. A clay
plaster will be the best to do this job.

Straw + clay plaster.

 The existing ceiling will probably have a wooden structure with some
kind of wooden or plastered ceiling underneath. On top of beams one
should build up with wooden materials so to get an insulating layer of
20 -30 cm. The loose straw is filled in between the beams and
compacted and kept in place by wooden cross laying boards. A clay
plaster with straw-fibre should be applied. One should make sure that
all straw is covered with plaster.

Straw-clay + clay plaster

 A mix of straw and clay-soup is made on ground and let to settle and
partially dry before applied. One should make sure that the mix contains not
more clay than necessary and that it is not dripping wet when applied.
There is no need for wooden structure. The straw-clay should be put in a
layer of 20 - 30 cm and roughly levelled and slightly compacted. This has to
dry before clay plaster can be applied. One has to make sure that the
structure is strong enough to carry the extra load.

4.2.2 Solar roof top

The roof can be inclined by default to install solar panels for energy generation to reduce the
Cost of PV mounting
 Built in solar roof top

4.3 windows and doors

It is obvious that the standard of doors and windows can and should be improved. This is
probably the most cost- efficient measure to reduce energy consumption. Simple actions like
tightening air-leakages and installing rubber- seals can be done with little costs. Most windows
have single glazing, and this will be insufficient and cause great heat loss and probably
problems with condensation. Windows that are more energy efficient has to be of double
glazing, either as new windows or as a secondary frame on inside of existing