One of the ideas I keep
playing with is the use of glass blocks/bricks being embedded in the Superadobe
walls as a source of natural light. I have seen tons of images where colored
wine and beer bottles are used as decoration and lighting with cod and adobe
homes. So would this work well for the use of some natural light sources that
didn't require large windows?
I think this could really help open the home to pools of natural light that can really add to the ambient feel of the home or structure. I know that in general glass blocks/bricks provide pretty good thermal insulation as well. I would really rather use this kind of option and the use of sky lights. With the way the Superadobe structures are build it would be easy to just embed the blocks/bricks directly into the structure of the walls as they are being built. This was require only that they be sealed with a waterproofing agent to prevent leakage from any water or rain that might be on them.
Another great use would be for
exterior walls. This would also allow for light to come through while still
providing privacy to a degree. The other nice thing is it adds a great aspect
of color and beauty.
With the addition of glass, both
clear and colored, in bottles and in blocks/bricks, the already stunning
structures that can be made with the Superadobe building technique will be
enhanced great. 
I love the fact that the bottle windows can be built using cob to any shape and size you need. Also the re-use of a easily attainable (aka free) building material makes more sense to me. With the right deal with a bar you may be willing to take their bottles once they are empty.
ReplyDeleteFor internal walls or for exterior walls I think bottles would work really well. the issue with using them with a domed structure comes in with the fact that the bottles are hollow. That would allow water, insects, and other things to get into the bottles. Should they break you then have an opening into the interior of the room.
DeleteAlso there is the issue of thermal protection. With an open ended bottle you have an air space that is exposed to the outside world.
The style that is pictured in the first image won't be hard to do in even the Superadobe style homes plus it would help create a thermal barrier as the open end of the bottle is encased in the wall. For sure some things to look into. And yes... it won't be hard at all to get the bottles from restaurants and bars!!!