7-day Hands-on Straw Bale Construction Workshop
Tell Me More About What Is Taught…
The 7-day is designed to teach participants the fundamentals of constructing straw bale walls in a home. Our goal is that you walk away feeling confident to move forward on your own build with a solid foundation of recommended best practices and have a clear understanding of the overall process, plus, of course, get your hands on a real construction project to learn essential hands-on skills!
While obviously, you can’t learn everything to build an entire home in 7 days, we know we will have helped you identify exactly where they may need supplemental practice/research for your unique build. For example, if you want to use an ICF foundation for your build, we don’t physically install a foundation at the workshop, but we will discuss it, answer your questions, and short-cut you to find your path forward!
We work with structures that enable the participants to learn, hands-on, about many facets of straw bale construction but focus on foundational skills transferrable across the many styles of building with bales. We focus on code-approved best practices that help you build a beautiful structure that will stand for generations and be built cost-effectively with performance in mind.
Please Note: Workshop teaching and skills vary slightly to match the design of the build. For any unique details, such as wall type, see the Workshop’s Registration Page or email us at info@strawbale.com.
Topics typically covered are:
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Create strong and durable walls by learning the techniques used by master balers.
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Master the fastest knot tying system to save time and money on your project.
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Create gorgeous curves and sexy transitions to create an inspiring home with the art of bale shaping.
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Our framing system speeds your construction and lowers your budget.
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Where and how to incorporate plumbing utilities into your straw bale build.
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Learn how to simplify the incorporation of electrical wiring in your bale walls and work with your local area having jurisdiction.
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Keep your house moisture & mold free with proper ventilation and window/door installations.
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Include pockets of beauty in your home with the installation of straw bale niches or “nichos”.
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Master effective strategies to install cabinets, partition walls, and other special installations.
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Build a strong foundation for your home’s plaster and ensure years of protection for your investment.
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Learn the art of plastering in order to create a beautiful and durable finish for your home.
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Navigate the confusing world of paying for and insuring your straw bale home.
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Why, where, and how to install toe-ups to keep your bale walls up to code and performing well.
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Understand the key components behind using this framing detail in your bale wall designs.
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Setbacks, bale stops, framing for curves, all the goodness!
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A deep topic broken down into actionable, practical installation methods.
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Ask us anything related to your personal project or general straw bale construction. ANYTHING!
The above list represents the basics of what is covered during the hands-on part of the workshop.
These topics are discussed in depth with “on-the-spot” lectures and question-and-answer sessions. Your questions on these or related topics are welcome and encouraged; they always bring value to the whole group. The discussions are rich information exchanges!
Other commonly raised topics and FAQs include:
Design Criteria
Engineering Options
Foundation Options
Running a Job Site Efficiently
Scheduling Sub Contractors
Acting as the General Contractor
Complete Owner Builder Techniques
Straw Bale Construction Details
Plastering Techniques and Materials
Green Building Materials
Other Aspects of Green Construction in Your Home
Tell Me More About What The Days Are Like At A Workshop…
The days are full and long. We work hard on the job site in the morning and then break for a leisurely lunch. Our afternoons continue the hard work of the morning. Our dinner and evening break is full of fun and play. We encourage people to bring instruments and their willingness to play together. Although physical work is involved in building the structure, participants are encouraged to work at their own pace. You know your limits, and those limits are respected. Our goal is to get as far as possible in the construction of the building, from setting bales to plastering. In most cases, we will not get beyond the scratch (first) coat of plaster.
Three hearty meals a day are included in your tuition. Delicious and filling, workshop participants always seem amazed at the great food prepared by the hosts and make a point of thanking the kitchen crew for a wonderful week!
Camping is available on site for free, and bathroom facilities are provided, including showers. We ask that showers be kept to a minimum in both duration and frequency to save water and to make sure that every participant has the opportunity to enjoy a hot shower. Some workshop locations may have other accommodations available, such as cabins or tipis. Those accommodations are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and may or may not cost extra based on the workshop host/site. There may also be room for RVs at some workshop locations.
Which Workshop Is Right For Me?
Have questions or want to connect with an actual human before registering? That seems reasonable to us.
Reach out to Dainella at info@strawbale.com, or choose a time to chat with her here.
When an old fashioned barn-raising meets summer camp for adults!
