Straw bail houses. The home of the future? (floor, windows, heating)

[skoe]

My dad took workshops years ago on how to build a straw bail house. He and his wife decided to build one on their property. It was suppose to be cottage size but turned into a big beautiful home. It is heated by solar panels, has a compost toilet, collects rain water for using in the house and the floor is heated with warm water running through the tile. It is the coolest house I have ever seen. He now teaches people how to build sheds and cottages for themselves.

Have any of you seen houses like this?

[Cosmic]

Many places you will never get it approved for a building permit. Back in the old dazes Mother Earth News had a number of articles on building such type alternative housing.

Problem being in the Real World of today, most places are gunho for building codes. Probably still possible but I sure would be checking the rules first. Might be possible in a few counties still in Ohio. Maybe if not a house, at least a shed or barn or non-occupied structure.

Few building department engineers are going to approve non-standard methods, too many lawyers around in 2007.

[skoe]

I know Saskatchewan and Alberta permits them. It's too bad the permit rule maker guy can't expand his head a little more. It's not like these houses will burst into flames if you hold a match to them. I guess society just doesn't like change and loves cuttin down the trees.

[recycled]

AZ and NM have some straw bale homes that have been built mostly outside the incorporated cities on semi rural properties. I saw some in Chino Valley, AZ north of Prescott. The county building codes in those 2 states are fairly relaxed, and you will see a variety of "unconventional" home construction styles driving around on the rural roads. Real adobe, rammed earth, cob, domes, even tires filled with rammed earth in a community outside of Santa Fe.

[skoe]

Hm, Thats cool. One of the workshops was in Tucson. I went to that one, pretty interesting!

[chele123]

I've wanted to build a straw bale house for years! I have several books on it. Many city codes do permit them, and many more would if they were presented with the facts.

[mbuszu]

I saw this on TV a few months ago. The concept is bizarre but the end-result was fantastic. Good for your dad :-)

Around here I only see stick-build houses. I am interested in ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) and I've gotten funny looks/reactions from the local home builders without experience. Honestly, I think alternative build-technologies just aren't mainstream yet; but I certainly won't let that deter me.

I wouldn't worry about codes or zoning, etc... I bet with the established track-record of successful straw bail houses, with a local govt hearing or two you could get such a thing approved just about anywhere. As long as the house isn't an eyesore, danger to the neighboring houses, doesn't bring down home values, and is insurable, I doubt anyone would oppose.

[MaimounaKande]

My brother is a straw bale home builder. He said a lot of people first think they'll burst into flames, but he describes it like holding a match to a phone book--it just doesn't burn well at all. A traditional timber house is much more fire-prone. Also they are great insulators so although they can cost more to build upfront, the heating and cooling costs are significantly lower and more than make up for it in the long run.

[skoe]

It is also cool because if you one day decide you want a window where there isn't one you can cut it out with a chain saw! There are so many benefits to the straw bales. It is a shame it isn't catching on faster.

[courtney&oscar]

I live in a doublewide manufactured home in West Virginia. I wonder would it be possible to ENCASE my doublewind completely (including the roof) with straw bails, then put on an adobe or concrete exterior coating. You know, simply ENCASE my home in straw bails! Windows and all, but there would somehow need to be two doors the front and the back. Please give me your ideas. Thanks.