Straw bale homes are on the rise based on the demand for inexpensive, renewable, and energy-efficient building materials. Some recent books on the form and function of straw bale construction include The Beauty of Straw Bale Homes by Athena and Bill Steen; Strawbale Home Plans (pictured) by Wayne Bingham and Collen Smith; and Design of Straw Bale Buildings: The State of the Art by Bruce King.

Earth Architecture is one of my favorite blogs. It shows, through vivid images and commentary, the possibilities of building with natural materials. Examples are included from the past and present, in locations all over the world.

Photo (from Reuters) appears on the Earth Architecture website

Quoted from the Earth Architecture website: The EARTH ARCHITECTURE website focuses on architecture constructed of mud brick (adobe), rammed earth (pisé), compressed earth block or other methods of earthen construction and serves as a database for the discussion and dissemination of events, resources, and images of earth architecture in the context of contemporary architecture culture.

The Belarusian Division of the International Academy of Ecology (BD IAE) has developed a successful sustainable housing program for people displaced by the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. Using wood frames and rye straw covered with stucco, they have built over 100 homes to date. Since 1998, the houses have also been equipped with low-cost solar collectors. This project was a finalist for the 2007 World Habitat Awards.

Photo from the World Habitat Awards website

Quoted: This project uses straw-bale construction methods to provide low-income households in the Chernobyl area of Belarus with healthy, low-energy and inexpensive shelter.