Why conduct research?
We as a society need to identify, research and develop promising ideas so as to bring solutions to problems in the built environment. The construction industry is at every level quite conservative, and justifiably resistant to change. Nevertheless, this industry is itself in need of major remodeling so as to kick fossil fuel dependency. We may not fully see or accept it quite yet, but we need to change, and soon.
Private investment capital will only flow where there is a clear path to market and profitability, which is fine and good so far as it goes. But there are a great many good ideas and early stage technologies in the world right now that are either too early stage for even the most venturesome of venture capitalists, or else are of public value but in one way or another not attractive as entrepreneurial risks. For example, there is a renaissance of interest in earthen building, which is about as eco-friendly (and lovely!) a way to build walls as you will find. But earthen building in its many forms is already widespread; the intellectual property is in the public domain, and thus cannot attract the sort of private research and development funding that might propel it to higher quality and efficacy.
Creditable research to accepted standards is necessary to remove regulatory hurdles and gain industry confidence. As with building standard development, Ecological Building Network recognizes the importance of conducting targeted research when:
- It looks to be of environmental and/or societal benefit, and
- There’s no one else around to take up the task.
Straw Bale Building As An Example:
The increasing and widespread acceptance of straw bale wall systems results very much from research conducted by Ecological Building Network. While historical and anecdotal evidence on the high insulation performance of straw bale wall assemblies piled up throughout the 1990’s, building officials and other industry leaders were reluctant to consider it. Ecological Building Network received funding from the State of California Air Resources Board and other sources in 2003 to conduct a series of definitive tests regarding the thermal, structural and fire-resistance qualities of plastered straw bale wall assemblies. These tests were instrumental to gaining general acceptance of straw bale wall systems as a viable addition to the industry’s building materials palette.
> Click here to view and download the Straw Bale Research Test Results
Proposed Research
Since the completion of the testing for straw bale wall assemblies, many new building technologies using straw and other agricultural by-products have appeared, and are at one stage or another of development Ecological Building Network is actively seeking the necessary funding to conduct research on:
- Compressed straw blocks
- Insulation systems based on straw
- Straw panels
- Straw lumber
This ongoing test program will be conducted in concert with development of a new standard with ASTM International, Standard Practice for the Use of Agricultural By-Products in Construction. The intent is to establish a regulatory framework that can foster the growth and acceptance of an entire, but yet nascent, family of green building products. Preliminary work has already started on this standard with funding from the Energy Foundation, and we are actively seeking support for a more comprehensive effort.
