We’ve been planning to build a straw bale house for many years. If it’s going to happen it will be because we make it happen, so here we go! No more wishing and hoping, just solid planning. I wrote this on another website 4 years ago:

We’re planning to build a straw bale house, tentatively starting construction in Spring 2007. We definitely want to stay in the same area but we are going to have to move, we can’t build where we are now. I am too psyched!! Does anyone have any experience with straw bale houses? Live in one, built one? I just missed a workshop in my area that was in the summer, participants actually got to help build a small straw bale house. For our house I am thinking of a one floor structure that has 4 bedrooms, an office/library, a bathroom, a utility/laundry room, with the kitchen/dining/living room being all one big great room. I adore porches so I want a big porch, maybe even a veranda. And a greenhouse either separate or attached to the main house.

Some info/pics on SBHs:
http://www.solarhaven.org/NewStrawbale.htm
http://www.greenbuilder.com/sbat/2001_Home_Tour/

This woman and her two teenage sons have built a small, load-bearing straw bale house in the Sonora desert near Tucson with earthen plasters and an earthen floor. She wrote a book about it! check out her house pics, her house is really pretty.

http://www.ahouseofstraw.com

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My feelings have changed only a little. Now I feel I want a house even smaller, and Brian agrees with me. The economy has really affected us but one good thing is, the cost of land in our area has lowered considerably. It looks like we are finally going to be able to buy some land this year. Stay tuned!