A Smattering of Natural Building Materials

Abigail PierceMartha Hammel

CDAE 170 Flomenhoft

OverviewCordwood

Bamboo

Papercrete

Cordwood

QuestionsWhat is it?Why is it

considered to be green?

What are its advantages?

Others?

AnswersShort, round pieces

of wood (think firewood) stuck together

It makes use of “scrap” wood

Properties of insulation and thermal mass

Day Creek(SE Minnesota)

1,560 sq ft (2 floors)16 sides, 8’x8’ each32 walls separated

with foam insulation6,327 blocks of 8”

wood2400 lbs dry

newspaper19,586 lbs sand555 batches mortar

BambooQuestions

What is it?Why is it

considered to be green?

What are its advantages?

Others?

AnswersA plant found in

many regions on earth.

Bamboo grows very quickly (fast regeneration)

Strong for its weight

Bamboo Living Model HomeMaui, HI

Order, have materials and blueprints sent

Extra insulation needed in colder climates

Great in tropicsStands up to

hurricanes

PapercreteQuestions

What is it?Why is it

considered to be green?

What are its advantages?

Others?

AnswersRe-pulped paper

with cement or sand added

Use of (any) discarded paper

Versatile—may be used as a plaster or poured into bricks.

55 gallon drum of paper

20 sandbag sized blocks

1 block15 lbs$.10 concrete

Materials as low as $.16 /sq ft

Glass bottles as skylights