Hello Andy, A practical suggestion: buy Catherine Waneks latest book 'The New Straw Bale Home'. It showcases beautiful North American homes and has magical power in making people accept SB as serious building option. No one who has flipped through that book can continue to say that building with SB is not a modern and serious building method. When I was still on wellfare I never went to a interview without it and not once did anyone suggest that our project (teaching SB and other earthen building techniques) might not be serious. So yes, I do agree that we can all benifit a great deal from an other SB Gathering in the US (just that I think it is polite to leave the possibility for other countries to react before 'slamming the door'). The New Straw Bale Home Gibbs Smith Publisher, 2004 ISBN 1-58685-203-5 /www.gibbs-smith.com <<a target="_blank" href="http://www.gibbs-smith.com/";>http://www.gibbs-smith.com/</a>>/ best regards, André de Bouter Martin Hammer a ?crit :
Andy - Thanks very much for your report of the status of straw bale building in South Africa, both in general and relative to a future ISBBC. Your description of the attitudes of those in "undeveloped" countries towards indigenous ways of building compared to the ways of the industrialized "first world" countries, is a major problem in many parts of the world. It is equally a problem from inside "first world" countries, where ways of building in the "third world" (I really have a hard time using that term) are viewed as backward and inferior, even though many have been successfully utilized for centuries. David Eisenberg's detailed and thoughtful e-mail preceding mine said a lot, and said it well. Given the reality that so many look to the west (and especially the U.S.) it has become increasingly important that we get all of these "natural" and sustainable materials and building systems into our codes, lest the rest of the world follow us off the approaching cliff. In the meantime I'm happy that people in South Africa (and other places) so readily change their attitude about straw bale construction once they see an exemplary straw bale building from the U.S., Europe, or down under. Keep up the good work, and best of luck melting those bureaucratic road blocks. It's good to hear from you. Martin Hammer CaliforniaDear all, just to say that unfortunately I would say South Africa is far from ready to host the next or near future SB International conference. At present there is no real unified network of Straw balers here....just a bunch of inspired individuals building inspite of all the odds. The expansion of the SB movement is being increasingly stymied by a tightening of inappropriate government/bank leglislation when it comes to building new homes in natural building materials (though ironically not when it comes to other types of buildings). With home builder pioneers being at the mainstay of the SB building movement, I don't see a conference being viable here until we overcome this hurdle..... so that SB and other forms of natural building can take their rightful place in addressing some of the huge inequalities we are faced with in this country. I so wish to be able to afford the cash and time to attend one of your conferences within the next few years.....as I would find it invaluable to be able to see, understand and photograph a range of quality SB buildings in a first world country....particularly the States.....to bring back here to showcase. To explain.(could write a thesis on this topic)..... Ironically most South Africans are not easily impressed by what is done locally, but show someone what is being done in a first world country and you gain almost immediate respect/status. Basically what you have to understand is that South Africa is still dogged by a 3rd world mentality (even though many parts and peoples of South Africa are also very much first world). Thus there is this momentum that drives 3rd world countries (certainly in Southern Africa) to strive for what the 1st world nations have achieved.and turn their backs or look down on what is local and what is percieved as backward or undeveloped. So when I show a government person an example of one of my SB buildings, they remain highly sceptical, that is until expalin how rich folk in America are building them. looking forward to attending a future conference with respect Andy Horn Eco Design Architects tel/fax: 07 21 4621614 / 4613198 www.ecodesignarchitects.co.za 160 Sir Lowry Rd. Zonnebloem, 7925, Cape Town South Africa ----- Original Message ----- From: "Martin Hammer" mfhammer@... To: "GSBN" GSBN@... Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 1:26 AM Subject: Re: GSBN:Next International ConferenceLaura, thanks for bringing up the important subject of the location of ISBBC 2008. I have very strong feelings about this. First, however, without going into detail, I want to say I thought the recent ISBBC in Ontario was an extraordinary success, and I thank all of those in Ontario who did such great work making it so, as well as everyone who attended and contributed. Truly amazing, diversely informative, and routinely inspiring. Maybe in a future e-mail (or TLS article) I or others could share more about this. And without diminishing the enormous work that many in the Ontario SB Coalition did, a special thanks to Chris Magwood for his steady presence throughout and for his inspired closing address. OK. ISBBC 2008. Two offers to host ISBBC 2008 were expressed at the Ontario conference. One from Maurice Bennett of CASBA (for California) and one, as Laura has stated for Colorado. Of course any offer to host and take on the large task of making it happen is greatly appreciated. Both California and Colorado have been fertile ground in the evolution of straw bale building. But I feel strongly that, if at all possible, the ISBBC 2008 should not be in North America (I also think the U.S. should get out of North America, but that is a different matter). 3 of the first 5 ISBBCs have been in North America (California '99, Nebraska '00, Ontario '06). '02 was in Australia, and '04 was in Denmark. Without knowing if anyone or group is willing/able to take this on, it seems to me that having the '08 conference on the continent of Asia (e.g., China) or Africa (e.g., South Africa) would keep the conference on an expanding course instead of a shrinking one. If that is not possible, then maybe somewhere in Europe (e.g., Germany, France, the U.K., Spain) or New Zealand. Belarus, also seems like a possible candidate. In addition to the obvious importance of the willingness of the host, there may be other considerations, such as native language, and ease (including cost) of people in the worldwide community getting there. After '08, I could see the conference accepting the kind offer of those from Colorado (which certainly has a lot to show), or wherever else seems appropriate. So those are my thoughts on the subject, and without knowing how this decision gets made, I hope this stimulates productive discussion. Martin Hammer California, USADear International Community, At the end of the great international conference in Canada recently, the Colorado contingent stood up and offered to have the next int'l conference ('08?) in Colorado, where we have several locations to choose from with high concentrations of straw bale homes, schools and other structures as well as a very active state association. There were also conversations among other folks about whether the next conference should be moved off the North American continent. Being new to this int'l conference scene, I thought I would represent the CO folks and write to all of you asking for your comments. Does it really come down to who is willing and able to host such an event or is there some more meaningful way to navigate this choice? We would be honored to have the chance to host such an event, but are very sensitive to the global needs. Thanks for your thoughts on this, Laura