Cob: International Straw Bale Registry is now online

[billc_lists at greenbuilder.com]

(apologies for crossposting)

Hi Folks,

Do you own or have you designed or built a straw bale structure?

Greenbuilder.com, The Last Straw Journal and The Straw Bale 
Association of Texas are working together to build a database of 
buildings constructed using straw bale.

Among the many purposes of the International Straw Bale Registry are:

    *Tracking where the publicly viewable straw bale structures are, 
so that we all can more easily answer that most common newbie 
question: "Where can I see one?"  (note: there are options that allow 
you to list non-visitable structures and maintain your privacy as 
well, so we can count them in the totals.)

   *Getting actual numbers on how many SB buildings are really out there.

   *Getting info on what companies have granted mortgages and have 
insured straw bale buildings

   *Getting feedback on the problems encountered in building SB

   *Prepare for future research and testing on SB lifespan

   *Influence skeptical government officials

All this, while protecting the privacy of those who wish to remain 
anonymous, yet still want to make a difference and be counted in the 
aggregate numbers.


Now We Need Your Assistance

In order for the Registry to be worth anything, we need to get the 
word out, and we need to get as many strawbale structures listed as 
possible.   The sooner the better.

In fact, if you're in the process of building now, you could list 
your SB as "open to drop-in visitors" or "open by appointment", and 
maybe get yourself some free help.  ;-)

By the way, you're welcome to list other structures beside homes - 
doghouses, garden walls, sheds, commercial buildings,  whatever. 
Especially if you're open to visitors.

Ok, now that you're all psyched about it, go to 
http://sbregistry.greenbuilder.com and start loading our database. As 
of this writing, there are only a handful of structures listed. 
Please let your straw baling friends know about the registry, and 
encourage them to list their structure(s).

Let me know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.
-- 
Bill Christensen
billc at greenbuilder.com

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