Yes, this is a strawbale house! For those of you who've never heard of strawbale construction it's a method of building that uses strawbales covered in earthen plaster vs. conventional 2X4 or 2X6 framing, fiberglass insulation, vinyl siding, and drywall. There are many benefits of strawbale construction. For now I'll start with these:
- high insulation value (R-24 to R-52)
- can be sustainably grown in a short amount of time
- user friendly
- beauty and comfort
One of my favorite architects in the green building industry is Darrel DeBoer. He is an innovator and pioneer in the green architectural revolution. Darrel facilitates workshops regarding sustainable building techniques and the use of bamboo in architectural applications.
This passive solar guest home features 1,112 SF, strawbale walls covered with earthen plasters, earthen floor, woven bamboo-mat ceiling and bamboo trim. I love the lime green and warm yellow earth plaster! This is a simple yet interesting structure. "With a little shift, a rectangle becomes a curve, but still uses straight rafters for the roof." - Darrel DeBoer
A few years ago I had the chance to visit and sit in a strawbale studio. It was one of the most grounding and spiritual experiences I've ever had. There's something peaceful about being so close to the earth . . . you feel "connected". I'll share a lot more about strawbale homes and building in the future. For now I'll leave you with these lovely photos . . .



