Reply #7: I like the idea of thermal mass [View All]

[dcfirefighter]

but it doesn't really reduce the energy inputs required - esp. if the windows arent situated for daytime winter solar heat gain. But I did include the concrete floors for that purpose.

Personally, I've always liked the look of rammed earth, but on the east coast, most of the midwest, and anywhere else where there isn't much of a diurnal temperature swing, the lack of insulation outweights the benefits of thermal mass. Even in the desert SW, it'd probably be a good idea to insulate the walls that don't receive sun.

I did see one company had figured a way to sandwich 4" of board insulation between two 12" rammed earth walls. I think it was a canadian company.

If I could afford 18" walls (e.g. not on a small lot or in a rowhome), I'd go for strawbale exterior walls with a big RE interior wall on slab. Actually, i'd like to ram a masonry heater in place within an earth wall.

While not quite as 'green' and certainly not as esoteric as adobe, strawbale, or rammed earth; I like ICF and SIP buildings. I especially like ICF in urban settings, if only for it's acoustic isolation properties. If buildings don't have party walls, SIPs are the way to go. If you want them 'greener' I think you could find them with soy-based insulation and pressed cellulose fiber boards (hemp?, ryegrass?).