Thursday, September 10, 2009

straw bales

Looking at property prices and the fact that this author's earnings are erratic and not overwhelming (therefore, gee, banks don't like to lend us money - I can't - for once, say I blame them) and rentals are just not something the Island seems to do, I have a suspicion that we'll be buying a piece of bush and living in a caravan or shed for a fair while, while we get some kind of house built. While I am absolutely certain this will be moderately uncomfortable and cold, at least we don't have to do this with toddlers, as various friends have done. Also, looking at other various friends, I've learned - it might be slightly more expensive per square foot, but we're going to do this modular-fashion. Room by room if need be! I'm not living for years under a tarp because -- as is inevitable the grandiose plan is too darn expensive to finish. Of course I'd like to build a well-insulated (and preferably off grid) house that is ecologically sensible (not green to the fruitbat extreme ;-) but just made with local materials where possible and making sensible use of sun, wind and good insulation. And skylights! I must admit to curiousity about straw bales for building. Or any other bright, non-damp, warm and comfortable ideas...

13 comments:

  1. Check this one out :o)

    http://www.ecobob.co.nz/EcoProperty/1240/A-Woodland-Home-UK.aspx

    ReplyDelete
  2. <blink> Were straw bales mentioned before I posted my comment? If so, I'm slipping into senility.

    http://glassford.com.au/main/?page_id=382

    This is a link to a friend's place (as well as the company promoting the use of straw bales). Took less than a week to build using (in the main) unskilled labour to do the grunt work (wiring the bales together and adding the render). The only problem is that any rain can be bad before you get the render on, since it can cause your walls to rot. Of course, you can always do the medieval cathedral approach and raise the roof first, and then do all the other work under cover.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pole barn type constructions is simple and straightforward - although I didn't notice large swaths of timber in any Flinders Island pictures I've found.

    You may want to not commit to a specific building type until you've checked out what's available and priced right.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just remembered this. Sand/dirt bag construction looks interesting. Not dissimilar to straw bale, but with less rot factor.

    http://www.hackvan.com/pub/stig/articles/earth-architecture--sandbag-superadobe-superblock-construction.htm

    ReplyDelete
  5. Melissa, I loved the hobbit-house - but I don't think we'll go quite that far (even if you think it would suit me;-)) I do NOT want a turf roof. Getting the goat up there to mow it difficult and the hard little hooves penetrate the plastic.

    ReplyDelete
  6. reverence pavane - that's the most incredibly useful link. Thank you! I see the guy is doing a course in Tassie next year.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Matapam - me of little faith! I am NOT putting my loved ones under a spiral sandbag - not for everso. There is quite a lot of timber (the island was forested entirely and is still a good 1/3 forest/bush of varying sorts, as well as having a single block of pine that is a huge problem (how to get it out). I don't think there is much milling capacity. But you're right - wait and see works - but I just want look at the possible alternatives.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yeah, those domes look pretty from the inside, but one wonders about earth quakes. I suspect there aren't many in California.

    Okay, how about this?
    http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/tresl39.html

    ReplyDelete
  9. If cement turns out to be a viably-priced material, it opens up lots of possibilities. There are homes in the US where old glass bottles are set in the wall as permanently-closed windows. Looking for a picture, I found this discussion on a book about straw bale homes, which brings us full circle:

    http://books.google.com/books?id=KVkf-fpnO_oC&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=glass+bottle+windows&source=bl&ots=YooLGkioZ2&sig=ysE9GBijkkUinZ0xuSOGhvjk1mU&hl=en&ei=OVStSvfoM4b6MJysmYgC&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5#v=onepage&q=glass%20bottle%20windows&f=false

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Dave,

    A friend--also a fantasy writer (and my previous employer, as she and her husband have a very small publishing house)--built a straw-bale house in the Borrego Desert in California a couple of years ago. If you like, I'd be happy to give her your email address if you want to pick her brain on the process.

    -Laura

    ReplyDelete
  11. Laura - yeah, that would be great.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Murstein - I think I am going to have to buy the book...

    ReplyDelete