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Heating SystemWe decided to avoid a conventional boiler for our radiant floor heating system. Onethought was to build a masonry -type fireplace in the center of the house with builtin water circulation coils. Once we reached the stage of construction where thewood fireplace was required, we switched to an EPA-rated wood stove instead ofthe masonry heater. This also required a switch to a small electric boiler that w ouldsupport a solar hot water heater.Straw Bale Walls ConstructionBefore doing the straw bale walls on our own home we participated in the work onthe Mississauga house that Martin had designed. We learned how to divide bales fordifferent spacing requirements, stack them like bricks for strength, secure them withchicken wire fencing, sew them together with giant needles and finally how tosponge the last coat of plaster applied to the straw bales for the final finish. W espent two weekends working on the bales the first weekend and plastering thesecond weekend.We sent out a press release to try and attract some press attention before having ourown straw bale wall raising. Although one local television station said that it wouldsend a camera crew to the event, they never showed up. The local newspaper didprint a version of this release which did garner a few calls from local residentsinterested in this type of construction. One lady who called asked whether thistechnique could be used to construct a Church. There could be no better structuresuited to this type of construction in my mind. We referred her to our architect andsaid wed be glad to meet with her to discuss our experiences and be of assistanceshould they decide to proceed with design and construction.The following is our press release:PRESS RELEASE: Like an Old-fashioned Barn RaisingThe pioneering spirit is alive and well in the Mono Township, North ofToronto, this Easter Weekend. Friends, family, and a host of volunteers willjoin homeowners John Wilson and Leigh Geraghty for a "Straw Bale Weekend"at their home near Mono Mills. "The idea", says John Wilson, "is to create ahome which is healthy, beautiful and sustainable, by turning to old/new252