Straw Bale Construction

Lisa Swan, owner of Design Forward in Pasadena, will be constructing a straw bale wall outdoors in the plaza area. Come and see how these walls are constructed and ask her any questions you may have.

Straw bale construction has been rising in popularity over the last decade. Hundreds of homes have been built in California using straw bales. Although the technique seems foreign to the average consumer, the original straw bales homes were built in Nebraska in the last 1800's, some of which are still standing. The original use of straw was simply a choice of availability. Wood was not as plentiful as straw in the plains of Nebraska. Today, the use of straw bales is one of the leading products in the green building movement. It is a natural and energy efficient wall system, which can replace standard wood construction. Homeowners find a 40%-60% reduction in energy costs with this natural and simple construction method. Straw bale walls are breathable, which creates a non-toxic environment. Plus, they have shown no evidence of termite infestation.

Visit www.designforward.net for more.

Click here for the FAQ about building with straw bales

Lisa A. Swan is the principal designer, owner and founder of Design Forward, a residential design firm in Pasadena. She is an honors graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Architecture and received a MBA from Norwich University. She founded Design Forward in 2002 to focus on designing sustainable and green homes, including straw bale projects. Design Forward offers residential design, drafting, and consulting services all over the Southern California region.