10 Straw Houses That Go Beyond the Bale

Although some form or other of this building type has existed since the paleolithic era, there has recently been a resurgence in the method.

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The big bad wolf may have blown away the little pigs’ straw house, but with all the contemporary innovations in straw construction, we cannot help but be blown away by the technique ourselves. Although some form or other of this building type has existed since the paleolithic era, there has recently been a resurgence in the method, with the sudden realization that our ancestors really knew what they were doing with this vernacular method.

Typically used as a fibrous binder in clays and muds through history, the spread of the hay baler saw the method boom as an alternative to masonry bricks at the end of the 19th century. In recent years, the technique has had a revival, as more and more people are become conscious of the effect of construction on the environment. The renewable resource is essentially a “waste product” of growing crops such as wheat, and so is low cost and readily available. On top of that, it has excellent thermal performance and low environmental impact, is naturally fire-retardant and vapor permeable (meaning that mechanical ventilation can be reduced or avoided altogether). What’s not to love?

The uncommonness of straw construction however is perhaps its main downfall, as the lack of understanding of the material in the general public makes obtaining insurance coverage often a difficult task. So in an attempt to spread the word, we have rounded up some of our favorite straw houses and structures that may not huff and puff, but will definitely blow you away.