Author(s): Catherine Wanek

General

Although straw bale construction is beginning to enter the mainstream, many people continue to wonder what a straw bale house looks like. The New Strawbale Home answers definitively, "Anything you want!" Innovative architects and builders are reinventing this century-old technology to create thick-walled modern houses of unsurpassed natural beauty. The New Strawbale Home compiles floor plans and images from thirty cutting-edge homes across North America, from California to Quebec, New Mexico to New England, showcasing a spectrum of regional styles and personal aesthetic choices. This practical guide discusses varying climate considerations and essential design details for problem-free construction and low maintenance, and also points out the ecologically friendly, energy-saving aspects of straw bale construction. The New Strawbale Home beautifully illustrates how building with straw bales allows for maximum personal creativity - whether the finished product is an urban home, a country hideaway, or anything in between. The New Strawbale Home includes information on budget considerations, code compliance, siting for energy efficiency, structural systems, and finishing touches.