Have you always wondered about strawbale construction? Heard it is only for hot and dry climates? Think again! With their combination of insulation and thermal mass, plastered strawbale walls can be perfect for cold - and even wet - climates if they are designed and built according to a set of time tested principles. This course balances sessions in the classroom and on a demonstration project so you will learn to think your way through a bale house while gaining a feel for the nature of straw, clay and lime as building materials.
- Competency Level: All Levels
- AIA credits: 35 -- Qualifies for HSW and SD requirements.
Suggested Reading
Paul Lacinski and Michel Bergeron. Serious Straw Bale
Chris Magwood, Peter Mack, and Tina Therrien. More Straw Bale Building
edited by Bruce King. Design of Straw Bale Buildings: The State of the Art
Materials to Bring
- Sturdy work gloves
- Measuring tape, utility knife
- Notebook and pens/pencils
- Clothes to get dirty in (long sleeved shirts and long pants to protect from the straw)
- Eye protection
- Work boots
- Dust mask
- Camera
Course Outline
Sunday
- 5PM Orientation to Yestermorrow, dinner, Introductory slideshow
Monday
- AM Introduction to materials and techniques, beginning bale stacking
- PM Bale stacking
- EVE Technical details slideshow
Tuesday
- AM Bale stacking
- PM Bale stacking
- EVE Open Studio/Presentation
Wednesday
- AM Lecture and slides: Design programming for SB buildings
- PM House tours
- EVE Free
Thursday
- AM Plaster preparation
- PM Plaster preparation
- EVE Presentation on Owner-Building: practical, philosophical, and political considerations
Friday
- AM Plastering
- PM Plastering
- EVE Dinner and graduation 6pm
Schedule subject to change slightly due to inclement weather or the desires, requests or focus of the students.
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