A radicaly different way of studio building, what do you think.

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chrisghost

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This summer I will be building my new studio in the garden. My cousin's doing a studio technician course, and knowing my plans he had a chat with the course instructor.

His teacher suggested this, give it a look, it's quite unique:

YouTube - Wood Frame Hay Walls

I'm rather intrigued by this process. It would cut a lot of costs, time + I like the look of it.

What are your thoughts? ...would insulation be sufficient and will this infact cut the need for a floating room within the outer structure?
 
Cool project. I have no idea what the sound qualities of hay are, though. I imagine no one else does, either, it not being tested as such.

IF you can source the materials- self-cut timbers, hay, clay, etc.- you would cut costs. Not sure if it would cut time, though- it would likely be a very time-intensive way to build, as you or someone who is either versed in those building techniques would have to be there the entire time construction was going on, and you may have difficulty finding workers who can or will do a good job with such unfamiliar materials and techniques. You may find yourself doing almost ALL the labor. The guy who build that house was already a skilled carpenter when he started- do you have similar qualifications, that can transfer to new ways of doing things?

If you are building your studio to ultimately be a commercial concern, and you can get building code clearance (much more stringent for commercial buildings, in most cases,) that construction method could become a very valuable draw- I am invisioning a marketable "Green Studio," with local, environmentally clean materials used for construction, located in a serene garden space. Add solar or wind power and you may garner considerable media attention- free publicity.

I just looked at your profile to see where you live, and I noticed you say your occupation is listed as "Monthly government payment due to insanity." Not trying to "out" you (hey, you put it in your profile, for anyone who cares to look,) but if you are going to do this as a business, I'd suggest you get a "sane" business partner...

But all in all, I would love to see you succeed in this: building your studio using those materials and techniques, and/or it becoming a successful business. Good luck!
 
I didn't watch it all so I don't know if they addressed it but that's one hell of a fire hazard.
 
Yeah...not sure about other countries...but I don't think you could get a permit or Certificate of Occupancy here in the USA. I don't think much of it would be up to any state building code.

Otherwsie...very cool, it has a great vibe as a living space.
 
IHNI what the NR properties of hay are. Cool idea. Maybe Rod or Ethan knows.
 
I hope Rod & Ethan respond then. I would love to hear some more thoughts on this.

The fire-hazard comment is a good one though. It hadn't accured to me yet.
 
I was watching some program the other month where these people were using straw as a building material, apparently it is a very good insulator. You have to spray the straw with some chemical to stop it from going moldy and rotting, and presumably to help with fire resistance, cause if that thing went up there would be no stopping it.

Good Idea, as a studio It seems quite unusual. . . and I'm a big fan of nice studios in unusual places
 
Well, I now found out that the straw, covered with the stucco from both sides (!) has a fire resistance of 90 minutes, that's a good 30 minutes longer then a normal brick building, apparently.

Also, straw does not burn, it smolders. Straw roofs burn more easely, because normal roof tyles do NOT smolder, but in both cases; if the roof would be ablaze, it's always the wood underneath that's actually on fire... apperantly.

Any additions / corrections?

What I'm very interested in is any theory on if the stucco against the straw could be considered a floating wall (ofcourse when seperated from floor and ceiling.
 
Chris,

What is the obsession with 'floating'?

Are you looking for isolation or acoustics? The use of straw in building construction can offer a fair amount of isolation if plastered on both sides with stucco and painted to seal. - How much isolation would need to be determined by testing but I would venture a guess that you would get at least STC48.
Yes, straw makes a very good thermal insulator and can be treated for safe use in certain types of construction.

Find out exactly how much isolation you need and go from there. If you need floating structures, you will most likely need a different approach and most definitely need a LOT more money. ;)

Cheers,
John
 
Hi John, thank you for your input. The term STC was new to me, but a quick search cleared that up. I will read up on this asap. If you know any good sites, please point me in the right direction.

The floating room is because I'm building the studio in my garden and I want to make sure I will be able to make as much noise as I want to, any time I need to, I don't even want the neighbours to be aware that there's a studio in that building. Also, I'm thinking about sound leakage into the controll room. Room treatment is a different story, but I'm reading up on that right now.

Indeed, I was budgetting a more conventional build, but someone pointed me in this direction and I found it worth looking around for. Saving a bit of money is always nice.

Keeping the building warm without recieving rediculous bills is another story, I will not be extending my gas (or water) plumming to the studio.

You think the structure will have a STC of 48, what would you say is the STC I need in the very least?

Thanks again John.
 
To answer more specific; I'm looking for both acoustics and insultion. With insulation I mean sound in the first place, but temperature is an issue as well.
 
I don't see that staw as a material if treated properly would be any more of a fire risk than a timber / clad / framed / log / home especially when rendered on both sides. Thare have been several build programs demonstrating its use and it looks good.
 
Thanks Bruiser.

The more I'm looking into this, the more I am convinced. I might just give this a shot.

More input still welcome.
 
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