1. Introduction to Designing and Building with Straw Bales

Energy efficient homes made from carbon sequestering materials like straw are beautiful, fire resistant, and can help us live more sustainably. This workshop offers an overview of how straw bale structures are designed and built. Presentation includes a discussion of reasons to build with straw bales, trade-offs, design details that explain different construction techniques, and structural design considerations. Participants will gain a better understanding of the building science behind what makes these beautiful structures comfortable and durable. Since the walls are the only thing that sets a straw bale building apart from other forms of construction, this presentation will take viewers through the steps of building straw bale walls, running electrical and plumbing in the walls, preparing the walls for plaster, and plastering them. Much of the source material is drawn from the California Straw Building Association’s (CASBA) book Straw Bale Building Details: An Illustrated Guide for Design and Construction, and many beautiful straw bale buildings in California and Oregon.

Here is a list of what you will find in the workshop below:

• A 30-minute video by Jim Reiland.
• A downloadable PDF “handout” to help get you started.