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This building is more fireproof than virtually anything but steel or concrete as the bales will smoulder under extreme situations but cannot burn. The cost ended up about $5000, and almost $1000 of that was the legalities involved with introducing alternative construction to the City, getting the insurance/Engineers stamp/ permits in place. I chose Straw Bale due to its proven longevity, thermal properties, ease of construction, and environmentally sound usage (its usually burned in the field or used as livestock bedding because nothing will eat it). Added to this is the asthetic beauty of the house, and the flexibility in construction.
One of the motivators in this project was creating a legal framework, and acceptance with an eye on low cost housing. As it is, the project has drawn much media coverage, and community awareness...So it seems I have succeeded in this, and become somewhat famous...infamous, heh.
I am now doing the hardest part.....earthplastering.
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Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha
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