GreenBuildIndiana

Straw Bale Construction is a Realistic Option for the Midwest

I have stood inside straw-bale homes and admired the strength and beauty of the walls; they are also great sound insulators and just give a feeling of stability and safety.  Still, I wondered, would they be durable? free from moisture? aren't they better for the Southwest?  So I was glad to see the article in today's Herald-Times by Carrol Krause, about a local use of straw bale construction on a large and beautiful addition to an existing bungalow. The homeowner-builder, Keith Romaine, sums up the benefits:

"Straw bale construction is more efficient, it’s local, and it’s something I thought I could do myself,” Keith explained. “Aesthetically, I really like the thickness of the walls. And I really like the color and texture of the clay surface. It’s like Venetian plaster.”--Keith Romaine, in Bloomington Herald-Times

The insulating value of straw bale is much greater than conventionally built walls.  The materials are cheap but the building method is labor-intensive.  This makes it better for the competent do-it-your-selfer.  Since this has been a very cold and brutal winter, and the addition has performed very well, this case of straw-bale has definitely overcome my doubts about the utility of this building method.  

Photo Credit: Carrol Krause

"Green Homes for Sale" Pick of the Week -- Fredericksburg, TX

This beautiful straw bale home in Texas hill country is designed to foster natural air flow and, even though it has a conventional forced-air furnace, its utility bills are modest.

"All interior exposed lumber is reclaimed longleaf/heart pine. Clerestory design allows for natural air flow when heating/cooling system is not used. All faucets/shower heads/toilets feature low-flow design."  Find full information at Green Homes for Sale.

Earthship Biotecture Homes

Check out the Earthship website and get inspired to build one, or find out how to just spend the night in one.

"Earthship n.
1. passive solar home made of natural and recycled materials 2. thermal mass construction for temperature stabilization. 3. renewable energy & integrated water systems make the Earthship an off-grid home with little to no utility bills.
Biotecture n. 1. the profession of designing buildings and environments with consideration for their sustainability. 2. A combination of biology and architecture."

Anna Wolfson's Work at Allyu Spa in Chicago

On Friday night we attended the grand opening of the Allyu Spa where we admired the beautiful natural wall finishes and adobe furniture created by Anna Wolfson.  Anna gave us a tour around the space, which uses vivid earth colors and VOC-free paints, as well as burlap died with iron oxide as a wall covering.   Anna is doing great work and seems to be generating a good buzz among interior designers and architects.  The walls absorb the light to create a soft, warm and intimate atmosphere.

Home

I dare you to take a look at this Low Impact Woodland Home and tell me that you wouldn't want to live there, or at least stay there for awhile.   Every fantasy of what "home" means: harmony, non-domination, anti-consumerism, protection, peace, and comfort all resonate from this design. I wouldn't feel bad about creating a new footprint in the woods if it were a footprint like this one.

"Green Homes for Sale" Pick of the Week

This straw bale house in Marble, Colorado has gone a little overboard on the wooden railings inside, but otherwise looks like a good bet.

Beautiful Straw Bale Home for Sale in Port Townsend, WA

If you thought straw bale was only for desert locales, take a look at this gorgeous straw bale house for sale in a cohousing community in Port Townsend, WA.   What I love about straw bale houses are the deep sills resulting from the thick walls.  This house reminds me of the house that the seven dwarves lived in in "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" -- except bigger, of course.