Straw bale building – a sketch of the invention’s history

• Autorzy: Jagielak Maciej

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.37190/arc250207

Warianty tytułu

PL

Budownictwo z kostek słomy – początki historii wynalazku

• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

It is widely acknowledged that the technology of building with straw bales was invented in the 2nd half of the 19th century in Nebraska (USA). In the 1970s, this method of construction experienced a revival, followed by the export of related knowledge from the USA. However, there are sources of information on the basis of which this linear view of the invention’s history can be challenged and a more complex narrative could be suggested. The aim of this paper was to test the hypothesis that the history of straw bale construction as an invention is multifaceted and that the development of this building technology may have occurred independently in multiple regions around the world. The research carried out included a critical analysis of the literature on the subject and source documents (including patents), as well as correspondence and interviews, all focused on identifying the earliest uses of straw bales in construction across different countries. Based on the analysis of the collected documents and testimonies, it was confirmed that the history of the invention of straw bale building technology should not be viewed as a linear process with a single point of origin. Instead, it reflects a series of parallel inventions from various locations – some documented through patent applications, and others emerging through trial and error on building sites. According to the documents, it should be considered that the invention of straw bale construction may have originated in Indiana, rather than Nebraska, as this state was the place of residence of the first patent holder. The method of using straw bales as infill within a purpose-built wooden frame was independently developed in France. The period of waning interest in straw bale construction took place between 1940 and 1970, although individual straw bale buildings were still being constructed then in the USA, Canada and Europe. In the 1970s and 1980s, the export of know-how from the USA was not the only direction of the flow of information; for instance, the transfer of expertise from Canada to France has also been confirmed.

PL

Powszechnie uznaje się, że technologia budowania z kostek słomy (straw bale) powstała w 2. połowie XIX w. w Nebrasce (USA). W latach 70. XX w. rozpoczął się proces odrodzenia tego sposobu wznoszenia budynków, a później – eksport wiedzy z USA. Istnieją jednak źródła, dzięki którym można poddać krytyce tę linearną wizję historii wynalazku i naszkicować obraz bardziej złożony. Celem badań było sprawdzenie hipotezy, że historia wynalazku straw bale jest wielowątkowa oraz że powstanie tej technologii budowania mogło nastąpić niezależnie w wielu miejscach na świecie. Przeprowadzone badania objęły: krytyczną analizę literatury przedmiotu i dokumentów źródłowych (w tym patentów), korespondencję, rozmowy ukierunkowane na poszukiwanie pierwszych zastosowań kostek słomy w budownictwie w różnych krajach. Dane zostały podsumowane w formie tabeli. Na podstawie analizy zebranych dokumentów i relacji potwierdzono, że historia technologii budowania z kostek słomy była wielowątkowa i nie powinna być postrzegana jako linearny proces z jednym punktem początkowym. Obejmuje ona wynalazki pochodzące z różnych miejsc i te potwierdzone zgłoszeniami patentowymi, i te odkrywane w warunkach budowy i doskonalone metodą prób i błędów. Biorąc pod uwagę dokumenty, należy uznać, że miejscem wynalezienia budownictwa z kostek słomy mógł być stan pochodzenia autora pierwszego zgłoszenia patentowego, czyli Indiana, a nie Nebraska. Wynalazku polegającego na zastosowaniu kostek słomy jako wypełnienia odpowiednio zaprojektowanej konstrukcji drewnianej dokonano we Francji. Okres zaniku zainteresowania budownictwem z kostek słomy przypadł na lata 1940–1970, mimo to pojedyncze budynki straw bale wciąż powstawały w USA, Kanadzie i Europie. W latach 70. i 80. XX w. eksport know-how z USA nie był jedynym kierunkiem przepływu informacji, potwierdzono m.in. transfer wiedzy z Kanady do Francji.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

straw bale architecture; natural building materials; vernacular architecture; low-tech; plant-based insulation

PL

architektura z kostek słomy; naturalne materiały budowlane; architektura wernakularna; architektura low-tech; materiały izolacyjne pochodzenia roślinnego

• Wydawca: Oficyna Wydawnicza Politechniki Wrocławskiej
• Czasopismo: Architectus
• Rocznik: 2025
• Tom: Nr 2 (81)
• Strony: 69--79
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 31 poz., rys.

Twórcy

autor

Jagielak Maciej

• Faculty of Architecture, Cracow University of Technology, Poland

• https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3398-6283

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