I am interested in building a straw bale home and am researching to make this a possibility.  I would like to make it as energy efficeint as possible and if I could include systems that would allow me to be off the grid as much as possible. 

I live in IL and would like to have the home build over a basement. If anyone has ideas, experience to share it I would be grateful as I need to know from start to finish.  I do not know if anyone in IL has experience in building a straw bale home. 

Thank you for any information.

MOTHER EARTH NEWS has had several articles on this subject. critical aspects were covered. you seem to have one of the most important criteria: keeping it off the ground.
i realize this isn't much help, but mainly i wanted to see if a reply would show up since there are nine pages of posts & not one reply!
the knowledge is out there; let's hear it!

ed c

building a home is a big investment. why would you want to build a white elephant that you couldnt resale if the need arises.
there are better ways to accomplish your goals.

Every time I Google something that's an innovative construction technique, I end up on a chat group for strawbale construction.  Sorry, I don't remember the exact name, but you'll find it if you look into the subject.  It's true that dynosaurs don't buy strawbale homes, but then, they've never lived in one.

Mark

I just went to the ASES Solar Home Tour here in Alabama earlier this month.  One of the homes we toured was a GORGEOUS straw bale home that the family built themselves with timber structural supports provided by trees they cleared from their own land.  They also used one of their trees to make a spiral staircase.

The family was extremely nice and although relatively quiet, more than happy to share everything they knew. 

The biggest problem with strawbale construction is building codes.  You'll most probably have to build in a rural community where no building inspection is required.  Because it isn't "built to code" you won't be able to get a mortgage and you won't be able to get insurance.  That also makes it nearly impossible to ever sell to someone.  A "cash" buyer that doesn't mind having an uninsurable house is a rare find indeed...

Having said that, the home I visited was as beautiful, durable, structural, comfortable, etc. as any home I've ever visited.  They built a basement with 1.5 stories above including a cathedral ceiling over the den area.  Absolutely stunning home!

He powers his home with solar power, has solar hot water, is currently building a "passive" cold room refrigerator in his basement, etc., etc.

I won't post his contact information publicly, but he and I have emailed.  I recognize its been a long time since you have posted, but if you are interested in emailing him let me know and I'll ask his permission to pass on his contact information.

I, myself, plan on building my Japanese Garden wall with strawbale and mud plaster construction on top of a concrete foundation and capped with a Japanese style roof.

We built a straw bale home approximately 7 years ago in Ontario Canada. Our design however utilized a slab foundation with very large 'footings' for the bales and it was post & beam (white pine 8x8 posts). We laid the bales on their sides as flat they took up additional sq. footage. The home was just over 1400sq. ft with a cathederal ceiling in the family room. For the roof we used engineered trusses (12/12 pitch) and cellulose. Our primary heat was a top quality wood stove, Jotul, with backup electric baseboard. We were never cold or uncomfortable in the house. It was warm in the winter and cool to comfortable (on the ground floor) in the summer. There are several good books on the subject and I can say you need to read, read, read and ideally take a 'course' for strawbale building to make sure it's for you. That is what I did and it worked out.

As for Vhehn's comments, I thought this would be a problem as well and feared that if we ever wanted to sell, we wouldn't be able to. Well, we built in 2001 for approx. $68,000 which included a 1000 ft driveway, the same 1000ft of hydro lines and 5 poles, septic, well, labour...you name it. We sold in 2007 for $210,000! Not that bad I say. So if you build they will come....just plan, plan, plan.

If you want to know more, PM me and I can show you photos, the best books, etc.

By the way, straw bale means straw bale.  Do not use hay.

I came across this place in upstate NY in Columbia county. It's not built of straw bales, but I thought it was. The blocks are made from chopped up palettes. They're made in Canada, from what I've heard. From what the people running the place say, it's very easy to cool in summer and heat in winter. Here's a picture of what it looks like. If anyone has more info on this material, I'm interested. Not sure you can see much since I had to reduce it to 100k.

If anyone finds out more info about this I'd like to know.  My company uses large wooden reels to ship our products.  An inordinate number end up in bonfires or at landfills.  It is a lot of wood!  The idea of sending them for recycling appeals to me.

What are the best books ?

Thanks :)
Craig

How do you keep down insects in a straw bale home? How do you keep your insulation (the straw) from biodegrading? These are some of the questions I would be asking if I were looking at that. I like the story about the 3 little pigs. The wind blew down the house of straw (and yes, we get tornadoes in IL)

"(and yes, we get tornadoes in IL)"

Move down closer to a river - the tornadoes will pass overhead and all you have to worry about is floods! I used to live in Morris, IL on the Illinois River.