04-16-2009, 09:30 AM
Good points. I forgot to mention earthquakes. They are one reason that I think really massive but low tech structures like earthships would be ill-suited to Hawaii. Not to say you can't use piled rocks but there has to be sufficient reinforcement and allowance for seismic movement. Good point about the roof. I saw some pictures from Japan of wooden buildings that fell down because they had been retrofit with heavy roof tiles.
I think thermal mass is always good but we just don't have the daily temperature swings here in Hawaii to warrant going overboard with massive stone structures if it puts you at risk from earthquakes. Too bad. Natural stone structures can be really nice but the point of this exercise is to separate what's nice from what is really appropriate technology. I catch myself thinking "Gee. Strawbale sounds neat", but there's no straw within 2,500 miles!
Personally, if I ever get my act together and build something, it will incorporate some kind of wood burning heat source. Too many people get confused about this being Hawaii and think you don't need heat. I don't care if it is only 10 days out of the year, when I am cold I want heat. I have a totally irrational infatuation with Rumford fireplaces, even though open fireplace = awful efficiency. However, here in Hawaii the outside air a fireplace would suck in is at least above freezing, and there are ways of maximizing the efficiency of a fire if you tend it constantly. If it were to work anywhere, Hawaii would be the place.
I think thermal mass is always good but we just don't have the daily temperature swings here in Hawaii to warrant going overboard with massive stone structures if it puts you at risk from earthquakes. Too bad. Natural stone structures can be really nice but the point of this exercise is to separate what's nice from what is really appropriate technology. I catch myself thinking "Gee. Strawbale sounds neat", but there's no straw within 2,500 miles!
Personally, if I ever get my act together and build something, it will incorporate some kind of wood burning heat source. Too many people get confused about this being Hawaii and think you don't need heat. I don't care if it is only 10 days out of the year, when I am cold I want heat. I have a totally irrational infatuation with Rumford fireplaces, even though open fireplace = awful efficiency. However, here in Hawaii the outside air a fireplace would suck in is at least above freezing, and there are ways of maximizing the efficiency of a fire if you tend it constantly. If it were to work anywhere, Hawaii would be the place.