permaculture

[Stephen Sherman <spsherm@msn.com>]

Thanks Toby-

I am aware of Jerome's work, and have seen pics of his new Phoenix GH 
online (but have not had a chance to visit it yet). I am aware too of 
the SHCS heat storage systems, and had planned on using it in this design.

As far as the joist question, as I recall, Jerome had mentioned a couple 
of years ago that he was given the joist system he ended up using in 
Phoenix (this was during a PC class he was guest lecturing). So I don't 
know if the metal joists were his first  choice, or just what he had on 
hand. (probably should ask him).

Personally, I would prefer something simple, like a single bent tube. 
Unfortunately that is just not going to work for the loads we have to 
deal with. It may be that a manufactured steel joist is the best 
solution, taking into account the strength needed, longevity, small 
shadow and all.

I tossed the question out here, in case there were some other options or 
considerations which I had overlooked.

Steve



On 1/29/2012 11:36 AM, Toby Hemenway wrote:
> Stephen,
>
> You may want to contact Jerome Osentowski through his website,
> http://crmpi.org
>
> He's been building and living with innovative solar greenhouses, heated by his 
> brilliant "thermal battery" for a couple of decades. He knows a lot about 
> what structures work. And a browse around his site will give you some idea of how the 
> thermal battery can reduce daytime high temps and use that heat to raise nighttime 
> lows, if you aren't already familiar with them. If you contact him, I'm sure he'll be 
> happy to help. He's writing a book about these greenhouses, too.
>
> Toby
> http://patternliteracy.com