An integrated, passive solar, rammed-earth, Greenhouse Biosphere prototype for rural Canada
ASH-Inc, Jorg Ostrowski © Feb. 10, 2010 draft 2
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"All greenhouses collect solar energy. Solar greenhouses are designed not only to collect solar energy during sunny days but also to store heat for use at night or during periods when it is cloudy. They can either stand alone or be attached to houses or barns. A solar greenhouse may be an underground pit, a shed-type structure, or a hoophouse. Large-scale producers use free-standing solar greenhouses, while attached structures are primarily used by home-scale growers.
Passive solar greenhouses are often good choices for small growers because they are a cost- efficient way for farmers to extend the growing season. In colder climates or in areas with long periods of cloudy weather, solar heating may need to be supplemented with a gas or electric heating system to protect plants against extreme cold. Active solar greenhouses use supplemental energy to move solar heated air or water from storage or collection areas to other regions of the greenhouse. Use of solar electric (photovoltaic) heating systems for greenhouses is not cost-effective unless you are producing high-value crops." 1 (see also Solar Greenhouse design 2-5)
Although our submission for the ECCA (Edmonton City Centre Airport) lands with Rocky Mountain Institute and Carbon Busters was not successful in the official competition, we are proceeding with a grassroots initiative to the people of Edmonton and the general public, for many reasons. This is a summary and introduction to our concepts for the Edmonton EcoCity BioSphere for the ECCA lands as it was on June 29, 2010. If you have comments or would like to be involved, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
In the chain of Regenerating & Self-Perpetuating BioSpheres of Nature & Living Species
In this model, the BioSphere Redevelopment Plan is designed to regenerate land, earth, rainforest, oxygen and life; harness renewable energies; integrate sustainable communities; and build centers for wellness, learning and appropriate technologies.
It is one Eco House to One Eco Village at a time. Environmentally sustainable means of transportation from one region to another, from one country to another.
Until all local BioSpheres are linked together to form the one big BioSphere we call Earth.
Including Launch of the International Hakka Tulou Alliance (IHTA) (in Mandarin & English)
Time: June 24, 2009, 2:30 -6:00 PM Place: Xiamen University, Xiamen China
Organized by
Constructed Facilities Center West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
ASH-Autonomous & Sustainable Housing Inc, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
Introduction: Rammed earth is a sustainable construction material due to many benefits for the environment including: 1) natural (non processed) material, 2) universal availability, 3) durability, 4) recyclability, 5) low embodied energy, 6) low CO2 missions, 7) high thermal mass, 8) traditional construction method, and 9) low cost for material, construction, transportation. Hakka Tulous in Fujian Province of China, reflect the importance of historical precedents, universal evolution, emerging innovation and advancement in the science and engineering of rammed earth construction, from 8th century to 20th century. Tulous can be considered as “EcoVillages” of best practices for planet earth’s sustainability in their planning, design,construction, lifestyle, resource management, micro industries, renewable energy, recycling of human and animal waste,and a low ecological footprint. This forum will interest leading academics, architects, builders, developers and suppliers.
Objectives: This forum will serve to demonstrate how the sustainability of Hakka village architecture built hundreds of years ago and still in partial use today, bridge the past, present and future, with exemplary lessons for our modern world. This forum will also serve as the official launch of the International Hakka Tulou Alliance to help save, preserve and revitalize Hakka Villages for our common world heritage and a more sustainable future of planet earth.
Co-Chairs: Hota Gangarao, Professor and Director, CFC-WVU
Ying Lei, Professor and Associate Dean, ACE-XMU
Tentative Agenda: (Each presentation will allow 5 minutes for questions and discussions.)
2:30 - 2:40 Opening Remarks and Introduction – Ying Lei
2:40 - 2:50 Speech by Distinguished Guest TBD
2:50 - 3:15 Overview of Hakka Tulou Architecture – Minoru Ueda
3:15 - 3:40 Fujian Tulou and Science: A US NSF Project Prospectus – Liang/Hota
3:40 - 4:05 UN Hakka Biosphere and Tulou Retrofit – Jorg/Helen Ostrowski
4:05 - 4:30 Group Photo and Break
4:30 - 4:55 Presentation by Distinguished Guest TBD
4:55 - 5:15 Applying Hakka Wisdom to Future Sustainable Structures: Proposal - Liang/ Ostrowski/Lei/Hota
5:15 - 5:30 International Center for Rammed Earth Construction and Sustainable Living: Proposal - Ostrowski/Liang
5:30 - 5:45 International Hakka Tulou Alliance (IHTA): Proposal - Liang/ Ostrowski
5:45 - 5:55 Speech by Distinguished Guest TBD
5:55 - 6:00 Concluding Remarks – Hota Gangarao
6:30 Banquet for invited guests only
For more information, please contact and register with :
Ruifeng Liang, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (304) 293 2111 x 2623,
Jorg Ostrowski, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (403) 239 1882, Ying Lei, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
NO COST. Please POST or FORWARD. THANK YOU for your support & attendance.