Straw Bale Architecture and Interior Design
Using straw bale construction in the architecture and interior design of houses has been around for centuries and was especially popular in the American west in the early 1900’s. The system uses a standard foundation with a post and beam style wooden frame similar to what’s found in barns. Bales of straw then form the exterior walls. The bales are covered with a layer of plaster which creates thick, extremely well insulated walls that are impervious to insects, mildew, or fire. The house seen above was built near Annapolis Maryland. A living roof shelters an inviting front porch. The simple plan was for a two story 2200 square foot home over a full basement. The homeowners talked to local farmers about finding the right kind of straw and to make sure it was bailed at the correct level of tightness.
The downstairs features an open floor plan with a kitchen, powder room, living and dining areas. Honed concrete was used for the floors. Upstairs there are three bedrooms and a full bath. Heat is provided by a radiant system and the toilets are composting so they use no water.
What makes the straw bale house so energy efficient is the thickness of the walls which can be seen around the door and windows. The high "R value" of the building envelope means the transfer of heat is minimized or "resisted." It takes less energy to heat and cool the house because it is so well insulated. Using local materials - in this case straw, plaster and concrete makes this house about as green as it gets, in a very low-tech way.
Most straw bales houses have a "truth wall," or a place in the interior where the plaster is left off so you can see the straw. I'm guessing it's called a truth wall in case somebody doesn't believe you, you can show them the straw and they'll know yo're telling the truth. This one is above the home's back door. One of the homeowners grew up in South America and many of the textures and colors inside the home reflect the rough finished colorful architecture of Latin America. Once again, notice the thickness of the walls around the doors and windows. If extreme green is your favorite color,
straw bale architecture and interior design
might be an accurate reflection of your point of view.
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