from the ground up - The Tyee

Excerpts from the ensuing discussion in The Tyee’s comment section:Neighbourhoods won’t accept ‘polished turds’posted by “Tommy Boy” on January 10, 2011Good stuff, Monte. It’s not a matter of if, but whenthis type of housing will be the norm. I’m impressedby the cost savings in construction. These type ofhomes are ideal for our relatively moderate climate,and the Philadelphia model shows that they are alsopractical and viable in the the harsher climes as well.However, land prices in New Orleans and Philadelphiaare not though the roof. As well, most LowerMainland neighborhoods would not accept a polishedturd, a golden turd or a titanium one. The rallying cryis that we must preserve the ‘character’ of the neighborhood(a character that most of them had nothingto do with creating). If NIMBY attitudes and neighborhoodvehemence against any change persists, youwon’t be able to build a bird house, never mind havinga sustainable society. People who live in towersagainst people living in more towers. What a world!Looking forward to the series and hope more youngfolks read it.Wood frame constructionposted by “mcik prince” on January 11, 2011I believe the use of more wood within the constructionof new homes and commercial buildings willreduce the amount of gravel.This would also reduce the massive use of cement thattilt up buildings use and save our environment fromthe gravel producers.Photovoltaic panels?posted by “Sask Resident” on January 11, 2011Except for the inclusion of the uneconomic photovoltaicpanels, most of these building make a lot a sense.The knock against fibreglass was unwarranted sincethe life cycle of fibreglass is well known while theblown foam is still relatively new. The keys to anybuilding is, in order of priority, the foundation, thebuilding structure, the envelope then the basic hardwear (the electrical wiring, the water and sewer piping,any heating system),then everything else. I likedthe focus on not spending lots on short-term fixturesand more on the building itself.The cheapest energy?posted by “Countrytype” on January 12, 2011Is the energy that isn’t used. Passivhaus is the wayto go. Biogas from humanure is another engineeringfrontier that has been crossed in Asia but not inCanada yet. But, can we afford to ignore one of ouronly growing and free resources?Great to read about the green and affordableposted by “Countrytype” on January 12, 2011My folks built a passive solar and wood furnace housein Ontario at the end of the 1970s alt building boom.We were squarely in the centre or slightly lower of themiddle class, without inheritances, and with one 9-5breadearner and one housewife. Labour costs werekept down by my dad and friends supplying muchof the labour of framing, laying floors, drywalling,and such on weekends and in summer, and by hiringstudent labourers.Thick walls and ceilings, and thermally broken windows,doors and foundation were the secret to holdingindoor temperatures at comfortable levels. Large windowswere a big cost, but in winter let in heat, whilein summer they let in breezes. Overhangs providedshade and cooling in summer, and protection fromrain on the walls in winter. A lot of wood was used insiding, as it was more insulating than vinyl. The houseI live in in Vancouver now has such thin and poorlyinsulated walls that they feel chilly even when thefurnace has been on for an hour.With a little design help (to avoid the awkward lookof my parents home), the energy savings available todwellers in better insulated buildings would be veryattractive. No sick home there, it was not an officebuilding or full of foams and glues.27