Building a Load-bearing
Straw-Bale House

Shenoa Retreat Center, Philo (Mendocino County) California

This was our first straw-bale house, and the first load-bearing bale house in California. Designed by DS&A, and built by Skillful Means in 1996, we made a lot of things up as we went along. This house was the subject of our article on straw-bale in Fine Homebuilding Magazine. There are quite a few things we do differently now...and also a lot we haven't changed......... 
The slab was poured along with the footings. Rebar pins stick out of the slab for "imbalements". Rigid insulation is laid between 2x4 plates to support the bales. (We now use pea gravel to avoid condensation and allow drainage).
..Stacking the bales
...a box beam sits on top of the bale. (We now use lighter, longer plywood I-joists or microlam beams).
....the bales surround a 2x4 window buck
...installing a window in the gable-end loft.
Metal strapping and 2x4 compression struts are used for bracing
Mixing the mud floor
The finished house
SKILLFUL MEANS
P.O.Box 207
Junction City, CA 96048
Phone 530.623.4479