Cob: FW: Steel Frame? (fwd)

[j. gann]

Abe ,

 Have you had do deal with  permits ?  What did you do
? 
 Where I am at(California) engineering is required on
all non-stick built structures.


--- Abe Connally <abe at abeconnally.com> wrote:
> 
> From: Abe Connally <abe at abeconnally.com>
> Subject: RE: Cob: FW: Steel Frame?
> Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 16:54:34 -0600
> 
> test, test, test.
> 
> That is truly the way to avoid high costs for any
> "green" architecture.  Find
> out what is feasible, test it out, look at others'
> mistakes, and test some more.
> The point of any "sustainable" structure is to be
> able to sustain one's self.
> That usually means that costs have to be EXTRA low. 
> In my case, my costs are
> next to nothing, just personal labor and few unlocal
> materials.  Do with what
> you can.  Improvise whenever possible, but avoid
> compromise at all costs.
> Adaptation of your design according to your climate,
> location, and personal
> asthetics are key ingredients to making a house as
> efficient as possible.
> 
> Make a scale model.  Make your own drawings.  Use
> other structures as guides for
> weight distribution, durability, and strength.  Do
> not try and reinvent the
> wheel, just make it cooler.
> 
> I am building a 1500 square foot home in the
> harshest desert in the United
> States.  The closest lumber company and/or town is
> over 100 miles away.  By
> necessity, I MUST use local materials to keep my
> costs down.  But that doesn't
> mean I compromise my strucutre due to the materials
> available.  I figure out
> what works best here, and use that.  My strucutre is
> design around the MATERIAL,
> not the other way around.
> 
> Cob works well in my climate and is available with
> local materials found all
> around me.  Adobe works well here.  Earthship
> designs are perfect for this area.
> My strucuture is designed around the strengths of
> all of these methods, as well
> as the strengths and weaknesses of my climate, area,
> and many other factors.  To
> design a house otherwise is foolish, expensive, and
> ultimately, a failure.
> 
> Your home should not exceed your means.  If it does,
> you are doing something
> wrong.  Either decrease your needs, or increase your
> means.  It is that simple.
> You may have to sacrifice here and there, but your
> goal will be rewarding.
> 
> 
> 
> 


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