Anyone use Wattle and Daub to enclose their Timber Frame? Seem “Wattle and Daub” was historically used for infill and everyone is now using SIPS.

Is “Wattle and Daub” no longer relevant today or is it yet another “forgotten” technique, similar to Timber Framing? I’ve read that this type of infill creates a healthier house since the wall is breathable. However, I’ve also read that it's a poor insulator.

I am thinking that for a tropical climate, it might make sense, since the weather is warm and insulation properties are not a major concern.

I realize that Wattle and Daub is most likely not practical for large frame, but for smaller frames it may be feasible. Any thoughts and suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Below link of a Foxmaple workshop in Costa Rica were “Wattle and Daub” was used...

"The enclosure system was a clay/coffee husk wattle and daub. The wattles were made of split bamboo and daub clay and coffee hisks making a 4 inch thick wall placed between the timbers, leaving the timbers exposed on both the interior and exterior.
Mixing clay with water to a consistency of very thick syrup makes up the clay slip. This slip is then mixed using pitchforks with a cellulose fiber. Traditionally the fiber was straw, but it can be any course fiber, such as coffee husks. The fiber is mixed with only enough clay slip to fully coat the fiber. This may range from equal parts clay slip to fiber to a 1 to 3 ratio of clay to fiber."


http://www.foxmaple.com/CRworkshop.html

Also in Rancho Mastatal in Costa Rica they have done some interesting things with alternative structures including Timber Frame with “Wattle and Daub” infill. Some interesting Bamboo structures as well. (Derek, thanks for the info on Koa)

"Wattle and daub traditionally consists of a woven latticework of flexible wooden or bamboo members called wattles that is daubed with a mixture of mud, clay, animal dung and chopped straw. It is normally whitewashed to increase its resistance to rain. This is a technique that we have been incorporating more and more into our buildings. It is a wonderful system for non-structural walls and goes up relatively quickly. We have been using split bamboo for the wattles and a mixture of clay, manure, sand and wild grasses for the daub. "

http://www.ranchomastatal.com/pages/links/page.php?Grouping=Programs&PageName=build

Found a book on topic (only one)...

http://www.amazon.com/Wattle-Daub-Shire-...4230&sr=8-1