Free download, click here - Natural Life Network

are not many architects who are familiar with straw bale construction. One of thebest in the world is Martin Liefhebber, who designed our home. For large, complexstructures, it is essential to get an expert at eco-design. For a simple home, or onceyouve consulted with an architect, you may be able to manage the final design andconstruction yourself.The basic design technique follows the principles of post and beam desi gn. Thestraw bales essentially act as an insulation material and the stucco provides a flexible,strong, and breathing wall. Some key design elements to make sure you includefor straw bale insulation include:· Plates (or curb on top of the foundation): Approximately 18 (this iscompletely dependent upon the straw bales you getso find out yoursource for these and make sure you know their average dimensions) topand bottom plates on which to place and secure the straw bale.Bottom Plate (or curb): Use 2x4s nailed or glued to the floor. Fill inthe area between each side of the 2x4 platform with about 2 thickinsulating Styrofoam that matches the thickness of the 2x4. This ensuresthat the high insulation levels are maintained at the bottom of the balewalls. The 2x4s curb provides a base on which the bales can be placedand a surface for stapling the chicken wire to each side of the wall at thebottom.Top Plate: Cut a .5 to .75 plywood to provide a top plate towardswhich the bales will be stacked. This top plate should butt up against theceiling/roof structure. It should be the same width as the base plate.· Keep in mind that the walls will vary in thickness and have typicallyrounded corners.· Wall thickness can be varied by placing the bales on en d, rather thanflat, so that the thickness of the walls can be reduced by approximately3 to 6. Of course the insulation levels will be reduced as well but for ashed or other structure that does not require as much insulation thismay give you the additional inside floor space you want.· The additional layers of chicken wire and two to three layers of stuccoon both sides will add to the final thickness of the walls. Plan for anadditional inch or two on each side. In other words about twenty inchwide walls rather than seven or eight for conventional walls. Keep in141