Clay and straw houses (LED, natural, climate, Arizona)
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I'm not so sure straw is a good choice. Ever heard the story of the Three Little Pigs?
If you want to build something a little more substantial, I'd read up on sod homes. They were used successfully by both the Vikings and early North American settlers.
Straw bale houses are fairly common throughout the US Southwest, where the dry climate is compatible with keeping the straw and its adobe exterior dry, and the insulating ability of thick straw filled walls help keep the interior of the house cool against desert heat.
There's tons of info on the internet, including how-to videos, just Search on "straw bale house."
We love our strawbale cottage in NM- the R-factor is quite high so very warm in winter & very cool in summer. We have a poured adobe floor & gypsum plaster interior walls. Our strawbale is infill with post & beam construction on a rubble trench with rice bag rammed earth/gravel footer. We built it over 20 years ago ourselves with only hand tools and it has withstood the test of time.
Straw bale houses are fairly common throughout the US Southwest, where the dry climate is compatible with keeping the straw and its adobe exterior dry, and the insulating ability of thick straw filled walls help keep the interior of the house cool against desert heat.
There's tons of info on the internet, including how-to videos, just Search on "straw bale house."
A straw and adobe (referred to as clay) house is anything but fragile in contrast to another comment. Adobe and blended materials as an aggregate have been used for many centuries. When made properly and in consideration of the location, adobe is stronger than a stick built house. Winds that would collapse a stick built house wouldn't bother one made of straw and adobe.
In the 90's, DH and I participated in a 10 day strawbale workshop in Arizona led by Bill and Athena Steen authors of The Strawbale House (google Canelo Project). It was a lot of work, but a really good learning experience. With about 15 people, we built a small outbuilding in 7 days. Of course, building an inhabitable home would take considerably more effort, but laying the foundation, hefting the bales, framing the doors and windows and mudding the walls was fun!
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Originally Posted by DCforever
They work OK in the desert. Not appropriate where it rains much. Expensive unless a DIY.
If I'm not mistaken, the oldest strawbale home in the US was built in Nebraska...not exactly a "dry, southwestern" climate, and it held up pretty well. As far as DIY goes, I don't believe there are companies that only build strawbale homes. And really, armed with the proper tools and knowledge, just about anyone can build one so they are already DIY.
SoUlwounD, if you're serious about wanting to do this, find a course or workshop and get your hands dirty! There are basics you can learn and apply as well as organizations you can join for support. Many books have been written and the reading is endless. It's actually pretty amazing what you can do with a "waste" product, but there is no substitute for the hands-on experience.
RVcook
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