Insulation for the nation
Insulation for the nation NORTHWEST MEXICO ENJOYS THE WARM AIR THE NEIGHBOURING DESERT BRINGS, BUT THE PRICE OF INSULATING A HOME IN WINTER IS BEYOND THE MAJORITY OF HOUSEHOLD INCOMES. A GRAPE STALK-BASED MATERIAL MAY BE THE ANSWER. LEDETTA ASFA-WOSSEN SPEAKS TO RCA PRODUCT DESIGNER JULENE AGUIRRE BIELSCHOWSKY.
ENSENADA
54
MADE [ issue 3.12]
COLD COMFORT
Perched on the Baja California coast in northwest Mexico just 70 miles from the US border, Ensenada is a prosperous city with a rapidly growing population. This rise is not due to birth rate, but to migrants whose original intent is often to cross to the USA. These low-income families usually build their homes on the outskirts of the city, using found materials. The water and electricity grid are constantly playing catch-up with these ad hoc homes, and it can take a few years for the utilities reach them. But once power and water are installed, one problem still remains – as a result of the building practices, the houses are very poorly insulated against the desert cold.
HOW ARE HOMES CONSTRUCTED IN THIS AREA OF MEXICO? Home construction materials vary. Depending on income, they range from a single layer of breeze blocks (for high-income holders) or chipboard. Then there are other types of homes built from found materials – usually boards combined with metals. There is no central heating and insulation is very expensive – roughly one month’s salary, to insulate one room.
HOW COULD YOUR INSULATION TECHNOLOGY OFFER A SOLUTION? I have developed a low-cost solution that is locally produced and feeds back into the economy. It is easily accessible and the product is modular. Its simplified installation process means homeowners can fit it themselves. The fact that each block contains both the insulating layer and the aesthetic layer also makes the process easier for the installer. The product doesn’t only insulate the house, it engages the homeowner by providing a visual layer to the inside of a home. The modular wall also has accessories that can be used without extra installation effort, such as shelves and hooks.
WHAT IS THE MATERIAL MADE FROM? The insulating part of the material is made from processed grape stalks and the cover is made from bound and crushed seashells.
HOW EASY IS IT TO SOURCE THE RAW MATERIALS? Both the materials are sourced from local industry waste. The region has a long tradition of wine making, and Ensenada produces 90% of Mexico's wine, which amounts to about 1 in every 300 bottles in the world. This generates 500–800 tonnes of grape stalk waste per year. The other main material, seashell, is a by-product of the seafood industry, which generates 12–13 tonnes of shells per day.
are placed between each surface, monitoring the temperature changes over time. At a certain point, temperatures will stop changing, meaning the system has reached a stable state, where
HOW DID YOU TEST THE MATERIAL?
the amount of energy coming into each surface is the same as
To monitor thermal performance, I developed a test that is similar
the amount coming out. At this point, the k-values of the known
to the one used in the British Standards for insulation – BSEN12667.
materials can be compared to the test sample, giving the k-value
The grape stalk material is held between two materials of a known
of the sample material. Tests show the material has a thermal
k-value (medium-density fibreboard and gypsum wall). All sides
conductivity of 0.08W/mK, which is half as effective as the most
of the samples are insulated with a high-value insulating material
common insulator, glass wool, which has a k-value of 0.038W/mK.
(polystyrene: 0.03W/mK). A controlled heat source is placed at the
This is enough for the Mediterranean climate in the city, and will
bottom and the top is at room temperature. Temperature sensors
maintain the interior temperature of the house at 19°C.
55
My project aims to offer well-paid, flexible part-time work for teenagers in schools. A generation of employment and appropriate home infrastructure is a dignified tool for empowerment of the individual against corruption and insecurity.
The material is designed for the inside of a home so it is not completely waterproof, although the front layer (seashell) is washable. It is also treated with a solution that deters mould, insects and fire. Although the insulating properties are not yet comparable to UK standard practice, with further development, I expect it to become more efficient. In industrial practice, wood fibre insulation (essentially the same material as grape stalks) can achieve values equivalent to glass wool and polystyrene. However, a homemade or low-investment material will struggle to precisely mimic the optimum results of sophisticated production solutions.
CAN THE PRODUCT BE SCALED UP? The material can be used in an industrial setting to a higher thermal efficiency. However, I focused on creating a material that requires low investment for production. The supply of grape stalks is limited to the wine industry waste, which would be enough for around 500 houses each year. Once this is met, there are interesting opportunities in looking at similar agricultural waste to create this part of the material.
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY? 25% of Mexico’s young people are neither working nor studying. Teenagers drop out of school when they reach the legal age for work – 14 years old – but with the current economic climate companies are not hiring, leaving this specific age range very vulnerable to joining the black economy. My project aims to offer well-paid, flexible part-time work for teenagers in schools. The income will help their families and we hope the flexible work will motivate them to remain in the education
FURTHER INFORMATION www.julene.de
56
MADE [ issue 3.12]
system. A generation of employment and appropriate home infrastructure is a dignified tool for empowerment of the individual against corruption and insecurity.
ENSENADA
54
MADE [ issue 3.12]
COLD COMFORT
Perched on the Baja California coast in northwest Mexico just 70 miles from the US border, Ensenada is a prosperous city with a rapidly growing population. This rise is not due to birth rate, but to migrants whose original intent is often to cross to the USA. These low-income families usually build their homes on the outskirts of the city, using found materials. The water and electricity grid are constantly playing catch-up with these ad hoc homes, and it can take a few years for the utilities reach them. But once power and water are installed, one problem still remains – as a result of the building practices, the houses are very poorly insulated against the desert cold.
HOW ARE HOMES CONSTRUCTED IN THIS AREA OF MEXICO? Home construction materials vary. Depending on income, they range from a single layer of breeze blocks (for high-income holders) or chipboard. Then there are other types of homes built from found materials – usually boards combined with metals. There is no central heating and insulation is very expensive – roughly one month’s salary, to insulate one room.
HOW COULD YOUR INSULATION TECHNOLOGY OFFER A SOLUTION? I have developed a low-cost solution that is locally produced and feeds back into the economy. It is easily accessible and the product is modular. Its simplified installation process means homeowners can fit it themselves. The fact that each block contains both the insulating layer and the aesthetic layer also makes the process easier for the installer. The product doesn’t only insulate the house, it engages the homeowner by providing a visual layer to the inside of a home. The modular wall also has accessories that can be used without extra installation effort, such as shelves and hooks.
WHAT IS THE MATERIAL MADE FROM? The insulating part of the material is made from processed grape stalks and the cover is made from bound and crushed seashells.
HOW EASY IS IT TO SOURCE THE RAW MATERIALS? Both the materials are sourced from local industry waste. The region has a long tradition of wine making, and Ensenada produces 90% of Mexico's wine, which amounts to about 1 in every 300 bottles in the world. This generates 500–800 tonnes of grape stalk waste per year. The other main material, seashell, is a by-product of the seafood industry, which generates 12–13 tonnes of shells per day.
are placed between each surface, monitoring the temperature changes over time. At a certain point, temperatures will stop changing, meaning the system has reached a stable state, where
HOW DID YOU TEST THE MATERIAL?
the amount of energy coming into each surface is the same as
To monitor thermal performance, I developed a test that is similar
the amount coming out. At this point, the k-values of the known
to the one used in the British Standards for insulation – BSEN12667.
materials can be compared to the test sample, giving the k-value
The grape stalk material is held between two materials of a known
of the sample material. Tests show the material has a thermal
k-value (medium-density fibreboard and gypsum wall). All sides
conductivity of 0.08W/mK, which is half as effective as the most
of the samples are insulated with a high-value insulating material
common insulator, glass wool, which has a k-value of 0.038W/mK.
(polystyrene: 0.03W/mK). A controlled heat source is placed at the
This is enough for the Mediterranean climate in the city, and will
bottom and the top is at room temperature. Temperature sensors
maintain the interior temperature of the house at 19°C.
55
My project aims to offer well-paid, flexible part-time work for teenagers in schools. A generation of employment and appropriate home infrastructure is a dignified tool for empowerment of the individual against corruption and insecurity.
The material is designed for the inside of a home so it is not completely waterproof, although the front layer (seashell) is washable. It is also treated with a solution that deters mould, insects and fire. Although the insulating properties are not yet comparable to UK standard practice, with further development, I expect it to become more efficient. In industrial practice, wood fibre insulation (essentially the same material as grape stalks) can achieve values equivalent to glass wool and polystyrene. However, a homemade or low-investment material will struggle to precisely mimic the optimum results of sophisticated production solutions.
CAN THE PRODUCT BE SCALED UP? The material can be used in an industrial setting to a higher thermal efficiency. However, I focused on creating a material that requires low investment for production. The supply of grape stalks is limited to the wine industry waste, which would be enough for around 500 houses each year. Once this is met, there are interesting opportunities in looking at similar agricultural waste to create this part of the material.
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY? 25% of Mexico’s young people are neither working nor studying. Teenagers drop out of school when they reach the legal age for work – 14 years old – but with the current economic climate companies are not hiring, leaving this specific age range very vulnerable to joining the black economy. My project aims to offer well-paid, flexible part-time work for teenagers in schools. The income will help their families and we hope the flexible work will motivate them to remain in the education
FURTHER INFORMATION www.julene.de
56
MADE [ issue 3.12]
system. A generation of employment and appropriate home infrastructure is a dignified tool for empowerment of the individual against corruption and insecurity.
