The Straw Bale House

First Book to Read if you are Considering Building with Straw

Leon, an engineer from Pennsylvania, was watching a television program about people who were building a house out of straw. He laughed and told his sister that it couldn't be done. That Christmas, his sister gave him this book as a gag gift. Leon read the book and became convinced that a straw bale house really could be built. Before long, he contacted the author, flew out to Arizona, and when he returned, he and his wife, Lana, started construction on their own straw bale home.

While I have not personally read this book, it is supposedly the first book to read if you are considering building with straw - it certainly provided Leon with enough information about straw bale construction to change his mind. The authors have built many straw bale structures out west, and they are recognized experts in the field. Click on the book cover to read book reviews from others who have read this book.

More Straw Bale Books

• Build It With Bales: A Step-By-Step Guide to Straw-Bale Construction, Version Two - by S. O. MacDonald, Matts Myhrman
• Straw Bale Building: by Chris Magwood, Peter Mack
  • Note: this book, written by professional bale house builders, will be published February 1, 2000
• Buildings of Earth and Straw: Structural Design for Rammed Earth and Straw Bale Architecture - by Bruce King, Ann Edminster (Editor)