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(More customer reviews)I first became interested in straw construction after seeing Steve McDonald's small but functional house in the Strawbale Tour video -- it wasn't anything to brag about except for its superinsulation and especially its cost, something like four or five grand. Now this was something even I could do if I scrimped and scrounged and did most of the work myself. But since then, it seems most of the books on strawbale have backed away from the affordable owner-built homes and toward more visually appealing (and expensive) houses. Catherine Wanek's newest book, THE NEW STRAWBALE HOME, is a very nice coffeetable hardback and I'm glad I have it, but when it comes to cost there's only a few houses in it I could ever hope to afford. Sure, it becomes more cost-effective down the line when you factor in the energy savings straw permits, but let's face it, if the upfront cost is out of reach, long-term value becomes a moot point. For that reason I slowly drifted away from straw and started looking at cob construction instead. (And let me recommend an excellent book in that regard, THE HAND SCULPTED HOUSE by Ianto Evans et al.)
But SMALL STRAWBALE by the Steens has helped revive my interest. It showcases projects that are a lot more accessible to the average person or inexperienced builder -- from fences and sheds to workshops, offices, and finally small one-and-two room houses. There are helpful diagrams and floorplans but it's not a construction manual per se; for that, I still suggest BUILD IT WITH BALES by McDonald and Matts Myrhman. This book is more to show what's possible with a little straw and a little enthusiasm and a whole lot of effort, and that there's a lot to be said for building small and within one's means. The photos are top quality and very inspirational. In fact, between this and Evans' cob book, I think it's time I start shopping for land again...
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Small Strawbale is a meditative exploration of the innumerable reasons to consider strawbale as a viable building material. Environmentally friendly, super insulative, economical, and natural, strawbale can be used to build everything from garden walls to small homes. Small Strawbale tells the stories of people who have successfully created structures out of this easily replenishable building material, reminding us that our human roots are ultimately grounded and dependent upon the earth and its bounties.This practical guide is filled with rich photos of homes, greenhouses, studios, sheds, open-air structures and more, each pulsating with unique yet subtle creativity. Both a pragmatic construction manual and a philosophical, artistic guidebook, Small Strawbale is an inspirational starting point for a strawbale dreamer, and a great source of information for those who are ready to get bailing.Bill and Athena Steen are the authors of Built by Hand, The Straw Bale House, and The Beauty of Straw Bale Houses. They are heavily involved in their nonprofit organization, The Canelo Project. Committed to developing and educating others about simple and sustainable living, they regularly teach workshops on straw bale building and artistry with clay and lime. They live in Arizona. Wayne Bingham has worked as building program director for the state of Utah for ten years and has been in private architectural practice for twenty years. He was instrumental in developing and building the AIA Habitat for Humanity house, and served as chairperson of the AIA Committee on the Environment. His work has been published in Architectural Digest and Popular Science, among others. Bill is building a straw bale home in Teton Valley, Idaho.
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