One of our highest priorities was to build a structure which would cause the least environmental impact as possible for its size; both in the process of construction and throughout the projected life of the house. 

Building materials were chosen on the basis of their being locally produced in a sustainable manner, how far would they need to be shipped, their supporting the local economy, toxicity, etc. It’s an extremely complex dance yet we are proud of the integrity of the product which resulted. 

Strawbales were chosen for the ground floor wall systems because: of its high insulation value, its low embodied energy, its environmental and non-toxic properties, and its ability to form thick walls with a wonderful aesthetic that generates a sense of security and calmness. 

Subsoil was harvested during the foundation excavation, screened, mixed with straw and water to create a naturally sculptable material for the construction of the staircase/pantry unit and the east facing shed wall. 

Most of the lumber was harvested and milled locally or gotten from the carefelt dismantling of three local neglected barns slated for demolition. 

Through the method of construction, high insulation value of walls and roofs, the use of high quality windows and doors, and radiant heat on all downstairs floors, the house should be inexpensive to heat and over the course of a hundred years thereby save large amounts of fossil fuels. 

The passive solar orientation and high thermal mass create a structure that is snug in winter and cool in summer. 

For information on straw bale construction: 

the three books mentioned below are published by Chelsea Green Publishing Co., White River Junction, VT. 

Serious Straw Bale, by Paul Licinski and Michel Bergeron 

The Beauty of Straw Bale Homes, by Athena and Bill Steen 

The Straw Bale House, by Steen, Bainbridge, and Eisenberg