I agree with Chita! We had a very good opportunity to build a moderate income 150 home green community in the Houston area - why - failed site with a desperate owner. All of the components were in place but one - real estate sales. When we tooted green they screamed mud hut. Because our success would give a bench mark that current building practices could not meet we were a threat. Even though our designs looked "normal" the contractors could not find a place for their system - mud hut! The mortgage companies followed the real estate!
The issue to me is simple - the public must accept and want it but first the finance, sales and contractors must support it. Until then we are building for ourselves. Is this bad? Not at all. But do not count on being "normal". Do not count on selling what you build. Until "we" build what they want they will not come.
A potential Houston business investor stood in front of three normal looking houses in a San Antonio subdivision demanding to see these green houses. He was invited in out of the sun. After an hour of media presentation he again demanded to see one of these houses. When he was told he was in one - he was truly startled! They were normal! They fit in. The owners explained that they had to deceive the subdivision - masonry finish required was adobe - not real adobe - fake! Law suits were filed but were too late - the houses were built - morgaged and occupied. After that no one was concerned because the mud huts looked normal. The three housewives laughed at their fears of living in a mud hut. But the subdivision stopped any "new" construction techniques.
The investor's accountant ran the numbers and stated the only way to insure success was to be the contractor, sales and mortgage company - $25 million needed. The green contractor wanted to build houses in existing subdivisions to remove the "mud hut" attack. The sales agent ran a few trial introductions to buyers but could only attract the "nuts" - his word! They wanted domes! The investor wanted a guarantee that only "mud huts" would be built and the land owner wanted a guarantee that he would be bailed out! All stopped - the land is still for sale but now it has trailers placed by the desperate land owner.
If you are building for yourself - do your thing in the middle of 5 acres with a few strategically placed trees. But if you want to change the world - build a house that looks normal. Then the green will shine past the personal fun.
Anthony Hume
__._,_.___----- Original Message -----From: Chita JingSent: Monday, June 23, 2008 10:16 AMSubject: Re: [papercreters] dome construction
If you want to learn to build Nubian vaults, go to http://www.adobealliance.org/ simone-swan/
She holds workshops where you will build actual buildings and roofs. The whole idea is to do it with mud only, no forms, Hassan Fathy style. She has also developed formulas for waterproofing plasters which could just as easily be used for papercrete structures.
On Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 10:21 AM, Tom Curry <contact@tomcurrystudio.com > wrote:
Hi Kristen,
Nader Khalili's book is a good how-to source. Papercrete works very well for dome and barrel vault construction. We have built both here in Alpine and Marfa, TX. and so has Clyde Curry over in nearby Marathon. We're not that far from southern NM so come check them out sometime. Also you can see pictures on the papercreter's website.
Tom Curry
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG.
Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.4.1/1514 - Release Date: 6/23/2008 7:17 AM
Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
__,_._,___
