Lloyd, we appreciate your coverage of our exhibit and both your positive words and criticisms. As an architecture firm dedicated to regenerative solutions we are continually looking at the impact our projects have on the health of the planet and the communities we build. We strive to achieve positive outcomes for both.
The CLT panel system was chosen for its durability and shear strength as the cabins would be continually relocated to new locations as sites are developed for higher density housing and people are rehoused. Our fabrication partner CABN uses CLT 'off-cuts' from other client projects where possible and through AI technology optimizes the usage of each CLT panel that comes into their factory.
As a firm that regularly does LCAs on our projects we are continually looking to select lower carbon materials and optimise their use. We couldn't agree more with "use less stuff" and are already in development of our next iteration of this 2SH cabin.
Platform framing is hard to beat, but I can think of two improvements that wouldn't require much more labor or materials, although they might require changes in practice:
1. Hang floor off of ledger boards instead of stacking them on top of walls. This gets rid of the challenges of insulating and air-sealing the rim joist/board area, which is a major thermal weak point of platform framing.
2. Lay a floor on top of the uppermost story before putting up framing for unconditioned, ventilated attics. Alternatively, frame down a dropped ceiling for a service cavity. Penetrate the attic air barrier only if you have no other choice (e.g. plumbing stacks).
3. For cold climates, make available a variety of I-joist that uses more substantial flanges (2x4 or 2x6) so in effect you can build a double stud wall that can be treated as a single structural member. This allows you take implement #1, and makes double stud walls more compatible with frost protected slab foundations.
100% Lloyd. There are probably ten thousand or more carpenters in North America who can frame a 2x4 wall in their sleep from material available down the street. With pre-cut stud lengths and buildings designed with wall lengths on a 2' grid, there's very little waste.
Lloyd, we appreciate your coverage of our exhibit and both your positive words and criticisms. As an architecture firm dedicated to regenerative solutions we are continually looking at the impact our projects have on the health of the planet and the communities we build. We strive to achieve positive outcomes for both.
The CLT panel system was chosen for its durability and shear strength as the cabins would be continually relocated to new locations as sites are developed for higher density housing and people are rehoused. Our fabrication partner CABN uses CLT 'off-cuts' from other client projects where possible and through AI technology optimizes the usage of each CLT panel that comes into their factory.
As a firm that regularly does LCAs on our projects we are continually looking to select lower carbon materials and optimise their use. We couldn't agree more with "use less stuff" and are already in development of our next iteration of this 2SH cabin.
Platform framing is hard to beat, but I can think of two improvements that wouldn't require much more labor or materials, although they might require changes in practice:
1. Hang floor off of ledger boards instead of stacking them on top of walls. This gets rid of the challenges of insulating and air-sealing the rim joist/board area, which is a major thermal weak point of platform framing.
2. Lay a floor on top of the uppermost story before putting up framing for unconditioned, ventilated attics. Alternatively, frame down a dropped ceiling for a service cavity. Penetrate the attic air barrier only if you have no other choice (e.g. plumbing stacks).
3. For cold climates, make available a variety of I-joist that uses more substantial flanges (2x4 or 2x6) so in effect you can build a double stud wall that can be treated as a single structural member. This allows you take implement #1, and makes double stud walls more compatible with frost protected slab foundations.
100% Lloyd. There are probably ten thousand or more carpenters in North America who can frame a 2x4 wall in their sleep from material available down the street. With pre-cut stud lengths and buildings designed with wall lengths on a 2' grid, there's very little waste.