Straw Bale House

Jim Carfrae, Totnes | 2004

A truly sustainable self-build project; working for client Jim Carfrae and specialist framers The Timber Frame Company Ltd to realise a personal brief for an elegant and innovative home with a Douglas Fir stilt construction.

Jim Carfrae wanted to build a timber clad straw bale house. The straw is non-structural but functions as an external cladding completely encasing the post and beam Douglas fir frame. This solution means that the straw can be easily renewed without compromising the structure.

The building sits on a steeply sloped North-facing site and benefits from a large clerestory window to bring light into the interior.

Jim Carfae has written a Phd on moisture performance of straw bale construction and works as a natural building consultant in the south west.