Comments on: Vegetated architecture

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:31:44 +0000

Storing hay…[http://www.ehow.com/how_2157059_store-hay.html]and in winter… [http://www.ehow.com/how_4618133_store-hay-winter.html].

It would seem the stacking system shown has the advantage of making the hay easily accessible on a daily basis. Extended metal deck eaves are said to protect the hay bales from rain. Apparently the green hay is used for feed for four horses while the yellow hay is only used for bedding.

The client is a barn contractor…So I imagine he is either pretty happy or pretty cross!

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:28:21 +0000

Perhaps leaving hay bales like that isn’t the best way to store hay… Wind blown rain brings moisture and stacking it so close to the wall prevents drying.

Looks great, doesn’t work ideally for its intended use.

By: Christine

Christine — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:03:20 +0000

Not being familiar with the location, topological, geographical and climatic conditions of the site myself I can only answer this question by refering to the literature.

The project has been published in the Architectural Record 2005 (p5);

the hay bales act as insulation….”and a wind break.”

Arbitare 2005 (p52);

the design aims at “a well-ventilated and well-insulated wall.”

Architecture 2005 (p62);

the project is located “on the Californian coastline…45 miles west of LA.”

The hay is stacked on three sides only – the north-east, north-west and south-west [Refer plans]. The original cladding proposed by the architect was ventilated steel, however, a contractor won an argument on this one based on potential injury to the horses so the cladding was changed to cedar planking (as constructed).

By: Tom Turner

Tom Turner — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:53:59 +0000

I can see that hay is a good insulator – but wonder what is the benefit of insulation if the building is open to the air? Perhaps it prevents solar gain through the walls.

By: Christine

Christine — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:47:56 +0000

Studio Pali Fekete Architects [SPFA] answer to your question is;

“The hale bales simultaneously animate the visual experience of the barn and provide insulation. Natural ventilation is encouraged via open clerestories, and the large roof overhang protects the cladding from the rain.”
[http://www.spfa.com/main.html]

Poetry in motion I say.

By: Tom Turner

Tom Turner — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:56:37 +0000

Good poetry, but do the hay bales have any climatic affects on the interior space? Or are they equivalent to the Alpine practice of storing firewood under the eaves of a building?