Rammed Earth Builder Nominated for Six Gold Building Awards

Terra Firma Builders, a rammed earth builder on Salt Spring Island, BC, has been nominated for six gold Georgies. The Georgie Awards are sponsored by the Canadian Home Builders of BC. 2005 gold winners will be announced at a ceremony in Vancouver on February 10, 2006.

The modern west-coast home that is nominated for the awards is highly energy efficient. It features passive solar situation, geothermal heat source, radiant in-floor heat and R33-insulated rammed earth walls. There is R20 under-slab insulation, R44 Icycene ceiling insulation and triple-sealed, argon-filled, low-e windows.

Other design innovations on this rammed earth home include 45-degree angles on the earth walls and chamfered window openings to let more light in past the two-foot thick walls. Glass canopies hang from exterior walls, creating outdoor living spaces. A multi-stage rainwater cleaning system harvests rooftop rainwater.

Terra Firma has won over 23 gold CHBA awards for their earth-wall homes, including Best Home Builder in BC 2000. Terra Firma's founder, Meror Krayenhoff, developed the SIREwall system: Stabilized, Insulated Rammed Earth. Krayenhoff says he plans "to make the choice of insulated rammed earth homes available to everyone in North America."

Krayenhoff has founded a new company, SIREwall Inc. that offers tools, training and support to those who wish to build with insulated rammed earth. SIREwall offers courses for homeowners, builders and designers.

The gold Georgie nominations for Terra Firma's recent rammed project include Best Single Family Detached Home 2,000-2,999 sq. ft. and Best Environmental Consideration and Energy Efficiency. Terra Firma Builders is also nominated for Best Home Builder in BC (Small Volume) 2005. For more information about insulated rammed earth go to www.sirewall.com

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Contact: Athena George, Education and Marketing

Email: athena@sirewall.com

Phone: 250-537-9355