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You might be thinking, wont that straw just rot when it gets wet? Sure, if you leaveit soaking in water it will eventually. However, a key part of straw bale design isallowing the straw to stay dry. A roof with extensive overhangs to prevent waterfrom reaching the walls accomplishes this.This chapter focuses on the basics of a post and beam technique for straw baleconstruction. For details on post and beam or load bearing straw bale constructionconsult one of the many excellent books on the subject, for example, Straw BaleBuilding by Chris Magwood and Peter Mack.Straw Bale AdvantagesR R50-60 insulationR RenewableR InexpensiveR Breathing walls, healthierR Do it yourself, potentially lowers cost, broadens availabilityR Volunteers (lowers cost of labor)R Thousands built, proven building systemR Lasts in so me cases longer than eighty yearsR No pests, no fire concernsR Building code supported in many areasPlanning and DesignThe general layout of your structure can essentially follow conventional rules forpost and beam construction. For simple structures it is easy to draw up plansyourself. Drawings should include the site layout so that you can determineplacement of windows, posts, bales, doors, stairs and other important features ofyour structure. Knowing in advance where everything is going and where you aregoing to place everything is critical. Without this you will no doubt build things thatneed to get reworked because you forgot to consider requirements of this feature. Ifyou are planning a larger, more complex structure, home, workshop, communitycenter or multi-story building you should work with an experienced architect. ThereÜ Learn how to build with straw bale by volunteeringover a weekend or two to help others. That is all ittakes to learn how to build with straw bales.140