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“Natural Habitat” Straw Bale Home

This 1860 s.f. passive solar straw-bale home illustrates solutions to ecological living. A compact four-bedroom plan also allows for a future office addition in the cupola.

Although the current home is oriented on a north-south axis to maintain neighbor’s views, the interior temperature of the home stays within 5° of 68°F without additional heating or cooling. The roof is insulated with cellulose (recycled newspaper) insulation and sheathed with ‘Meadowood’ rye-grass straw-board. Plastered straw-bale walls are balanced by fiber-cement clad conventionally framed walls in appropriate locations (i.e. plumbing, bays and the high cupola walls).

Mountain Escape

"Mountain Escape"is a beautiful home designed to provide both family gathering spaces and privacy. The open floor plan for the central volume of the home invites people to linger around the kitchen island or spill into the large vaulted living room. When the hour is late, the second story master suite offers views and privacy while the two main floor bedrooms also provide privacy and individual sanctuaries for their occupants. The main floor office has a private entrance perfect for a professional working from home.

Chalk Hill Cabin

This 872 s.f. off-grid straw-bale project was originally designed as a getaway home for a San Francisco couple with two active young boys.

The house mediates the northern edge of a forest glade, with driveway access and entry against a steeper slope to the north. The entry/mudroom, bath and mechanical spaces are located in a wood-framed portion of the home a half level up from the main living space. This simple, straw-bale home opens to a south-facing terrace, connecting it to the forest glade, and a more intimate queen bed sized sleeping bay. An open loft above the kitchen provides additional sleeping space for kids and guests.

Applegate Residence

This beautiful bungalow style home is perfect for those looking to live in what our society would call a "small house." This is a perfect example of space-smart design in which every space has a use and is essential to the overall flow of the home. Although not ideal for a large family, this home is perfect for smaller families with one child or two that can share the loft bedroom space.

Eco Nest 1200

This 1434 sf home was designed specifically for an off grid building site. It's floor plan allows all spaces to be easily heated by the solar gain or by the wood stove at night. The main bedroom has its own bathroom and there is a cozy sleeping loft above the dining area for guests. The screened porch expands the living area to encompass the outdoors and the storage room will hold the bikes and garden tools. A 'living roof' completes the greening of this unique eco-nest! Great plan for a remote vacation getaway or full-time rural home.

Rustic Family

Rustic Family" was inspired by a family of four that wanted a large open kitchen/living room with a central hearth, an vaulted ceiling with a open air cupola, and a sunroom to watch the sun set over the hillside beyond. It also features a "Kids Wing". This is a wing of the house with two bedrooms and a family room. The other side of the house has the master suite with his and hers closets and a full bathroom. There is also a third bedroom that can also be used as an office.

Kozy Kasa 1200

Every room gets lots of winter sun in this small but spacious 1140 sf plan. The bedroom arrangement makes this one a great choice for a house share situation- either renting a room or having joint ownership with friends. The ceiling is vaulted over the entire living area, adding to the roomy feel and the South glass lets the outside in.

Bale Courtyard 2100

Plan Number: ts-500 Designed by: Touson Saryon of Integral Design Studio Description Here is a very unique home that wraps to form a private courtyard. This design takes advantage of East and West views as well as South sun with a solar hall. The main living area has high ceilings with clerestory windows for plenty of light. A West [...]

Mountain Retreat

This wonderful two story straw bale home was originally designed for a couple in the Rocky Mountains. The property was situated within an aspen and spruce forest with stunning eastern views of the surrounding mountain peaks. It features three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. The master suite is on the ground floor and the two other bedrooms are upstairs. There are decks surrounding the rear and side of the house for outdoor entertaining and appreciation. It is great for a sloped lot or a flat lot.

Sunset Cottage

This simple cottage is perfect for a backyard retreat, studio space, meditation shelter, guest cottage or office. Designed for simplicity while still maintaining elegance, the Sunset Cottage is an ideal "first straw bale structure." For those interested in building with straw bales, this is a great structure to get you started.