ESBA Action Groups

Action Groups are the discussion platforms of ESBA, the forum for innovative ideas, projects and cooperation related to Straw Bale Building in Europe. All Action Groups are open to the public. Help us to support this sustainable building technique in Europe:

Action Group 1: European Engagement/Construction Standards
(Develop standardised tech solutions, create digital house plans, establish performance benchmarks, develop research)

In this group we try to evaluate and coordinate the need for tests, standards and general cooperations related to Straw Bale Construction in Europe (Infill, Hybrid, Blow-In, Load Bearing, Wrapping), fire-tests, restrictions and barriers in the national building laws. We want to exchange, how different countries solve challenges and overcome barriers (e.g. for public or multi-family-buildings) for this traditional but still innovative technique.

Next AG1 meeting: on Zoom,
26.11.2024, 18:00 – 19:00 CET
If you are interested in participating in this group, join our next meeting with the Zoom-link above or send an Email with your preferred topics, you want to discuss in this group to the chair of this group, Cypren Edmunds: cyprenedmunds@strawbuilding.eu, and you will be invited to this Zoom-Meeting.

Action Group 3: Workforce Growth & Training
(Define skills accreditation, integrate climate education in curriculum, enhance competencies framework)

From our last Meeting: Dominique suggested that short-term courses could be beneficial for teaching carpenters and other professionals how to build with straw bale. Rikki proposed the idea of creating a specialized course for vocational training colleges/schools, which Herbert agreed could be a good project. The team decided to plan a brainstorming session for the next meeting to discuss these ideas further.

Next meeting: Doodle poll (Dez 3-6).
If you are interested in participating in this group, select your preferred date in Doodle, join our next meeting with the Zoom-link below or send an Email with your preferred topics, you want to discuss in this group to the chair of this group, Rikki Nitzkin: rikki@casasdepaja.org, and you will be invited to the next Zoom-Meeting.

Action Group 2: Innovative Tech & Practices
(Strengthen European supply chain, Address climate change impacts)

The next topic, we want to discuss in this Action group, is the long-announced ESBA Webshop for materials, tools and skills you need on straw building sites. It is sometimes hard, to find the right bales in the right quality (e.g. in UPSTRAW a map was generated for straw bale providers, here is the link), a bale-needle or construction wood. The plan is to establish not just a Link-list (for all Europeran countries) of available materials and tools or skilled workers, who can help you in your area, but a Webshop like Amazon, where you select your country and the product or skill, you need and you get an online-link to the supplier (Online Shop or reseller). In some cases, this could be the national networks, in others a building market or craftsman. HG

First AG2 meeting: Doodle poll (Nov 12-22)
If you are interested in participating in this group, select your preferred date in Doodle, join our next meeting with the Zoom-link below or send an Email with your preferred topics, you want to discuss in this group to the chair of this group, Herbert Gruber: asbn@baubiologie.at, and you will be invited to this Zoom-Meeting.

Action Group 5: Efficient Project Delivery
(Efficiently consolidate demand, engage local supply chains)

Next AG5 meeting: on Zoom,
15.11.2024, 18:00 – 19:00 CET
If you are interested in participating in this group, join our next meeting with the Zoom-link above or send an Email with your preferred topics, you want to discuss in this group to the chair of this group, to the board, as there is no chair at the moment: board@strawbuilding.eu, and you will be invited to this Zoom-Meeting.

Action Group 7: International Development/ESBA and USBC-Ukraine alliance