House of
Straw
Straw-bale housing construction, known for
its flimsy role in the children’s tale The Three Little Pigs, is
making a comeback. After a brief period of popularity in the early
1900s, straw bale buildings lost favor in the 1940s. But tastes
change, lumber is increasingly expensive and structures built of
straw are springing up again. Many builders are discovering that
straw bales in conjunction with simple post-and-beam technology and
wood or stucco siding produce affordable and comfortable housing.
For those interested in alternative building techniques, a 36-page
quarterly publication, The Last Straw, is available for $8 a copy.
The black-and-white journal is filled with photos and diagrams
illustrating how straw bales can be economical, structurally sound
and energy-efficient. Founded in 1993, the magazine offers
up-to-date-information about building codes, fire prevention,
insurance, moisture protection, insulation and architectural
styles. Letters to the editor, who is “out on bale,” are also fun.
For more information or copies of The Last Straw, write to: Out On
Bale, 1037 E. Linden St., Tucson, AZ 85719.
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Peter McBride
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline House of straw.
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