strawbale?

[lisaandmark]

I've been doing some research on strawbale as infill. It seems very interesting. Some of the homes built with timberframe and strawbale are pretty awesome and you can't beat the insulating properties. Some of these home quoted utility bills as low as $10 per month.

I have a neighbor up the street that built a load-bearing straw bale barn and studio. She (yes she) built it herself. It is amazing how in over 100 degree weather, that building stays very cool in the summer.

Any thoughts on this construction technique? I would think it might be cool to do a log-frame structure and then infill with strawbale.
Lisa

[fulenchek]

Don't know if you have seen this but I thought this was a great read on strawbale construction.

http://www.strawbalefutures.org.uk/pdf/strawbaleguide.pdf

[1capivara]

In northen California there are people who are packing the bales at 3X density which makes a very solid block on the 3 string bales specially and the idea is growing very fast. http://www.strawbalehouse.com/ The Canelo project.

[Phil Savoie]

I've seen Straw Bale here in Wales. A plaster of some sort was applied to finish the walls.

Phil

[clarkin]

But what about in northern climates??(Alaska) Is there an alternative (inexpensive) that works in the severe climates??

[travelin01]

http://www.thelaststraw.org/resources/

there used to be a link on there called surfin' strawbales that was exceptional but is now nonfunctional. I also found a great book at Barnes and Noble recently. This was one type of construction I was strongly considering until I came across this log home site.

the main problem with the straw was that the cost of building wasn't much better than stick built unless you used stucco inside and out and if you have a water problem there is the potential for some serious decomposition problems. I don't know alot but have studied them for the last couple of years.

[Mark OBrien]

http://www.motherearthnews.com/home_building/2003_April_May/A_House_of_Straw

This describes a straw bale house in AZ. I've read articles about straw bale building in GA and AL. They have been approved in both states, which are extremely humid most of the year.

[Mark OBrien]

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green_Home_Building/2004_June_July/Southern-Comfort-in-a-Straw-Bale-Home

Mother Earth News is a great resource for finding infoon alternative building and green living. She even lists the LHBA in an article about log home building.

[GT.]

http://www.elkecole.com/pender_island_straw_bale_house_.html

[JimV]

Any thoughts on this construction technique? I would think it might be cool to do a log-frame structure and then infill with strawbale.
Lisa

That is a very interesting concept. A post and beam style frame to hold the roof up and second floor. infill with strawbales leaving the log frames visible as architectural features.

Using LHBA techniques to erect the frame would make this very doable.

what about the engineering for this Rock. Any ideas?

Jim

[Kola]

strawbale interior walls in a B&P home would be cool too...or a wrap around porch with strawbales and stucco.

kola

[ponyboy]

I always thought this site had some cool strawbale house plans (right side of the page) form 149 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft.

http://www.balewatch.com/index.html


And this vaulted strawbale house would be cool to stay in while your building a cabin.
( you have to jump around to find all the pictures of them building this :x )

http://www.imagegypsy.com/sbvltl1.htm

Dang! No strawbale smilies. :roll:

[GT.]

http://www.buildnaturally.com/EDucate/Articles/RubbleTrench.htm

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