[Strawbale] European strawbale research and gratitude to Jenik

[Hank Carr]

Michael Lough wrote:

> For some reason prior research by Jenik has been
> disputed in North America as valid or even as
> being necessary (and  even censored by one 
> commercial straw bale organisation in North
> America)

Jenik's hypothesis about convection currents inside the compressed straw
bales in finished straw bale wall assemblies was roundly dismissed by those
with straw bale building experience both in North America and in Europe.
That doesn't mean that her hypothesis was wrong only that it didn't stand up
to the test of common sense.  She was encouraged to undertake the research
necessary to prove or disprove her hypothesis.

Jenik's research was not censored on the Bale ON! list.  It remains in the
publicly available archive to this day clearly labeled for anyone who wants
to read it.

Michael who is not a member of the Ontario Straw Bale Building Coalition
(OSBBC) has often asserted that the OSBBC is a commercial straw bale venture
because our professional and general members declined to help him build his
house for free.  Our professional members offered the customary free
consultation and advice before asking to be retained to continue.  The OSBBC
is in fact a not-for-profit (very soon to be incorporated as such) advocacy
and trade group representing the interests of both straw bale building
owners and professional straw bale builders in six provinces and five
states.  When the straw bale builders guild is up and running the
professional members of the OSBBC will be moved to it and the OSBBC will
become a straw bale home and building owners association.

Hank.