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German builders use blocks to create Greensburg "Eco-Home"

June 23, 2011|By Megan Strader | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(GREENSBURG, Kan.) — It sounds like traditional construction, but that's about all that's traditional about a new building process, happening in Greensburg.

"These little six inch blocks are the interior wall and the exterior walls are 15 inch blocks," explains Orval Howell. 

A company out of Germany is building the home, built entirely out of wooden blocks that volunteers are putting together.

Just a few examples of what makes the process unique, the boards used are held together with just dovetails, dowels and a few staples. There is no glue involved, there are no nails, and yet it's virtually indestructible.

"This one's been tested in an 8.0 level earthquake and 180 mile an hour winds. That gives people a nice sense of comfort," said Daniel Wallach.

He's the founder and Executive Director of "Greensburg Greentown" - a non-profit organization that's behind the "Chain of Eco-homes" project.

The block home is the second in the series, that are on display in Greensburg.

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"We're so accustomed in this country to building two-by-four, stick construction, as it's called. There are just so many other options and we want to show them all," explains Wallach.

The blocks fit together much like a puzzle or, as the inventor of the method describes it, Legos. It will take about two weeks to finish and will the first of its kind in the U.S..

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