Straw Bale Social Housing
- Heide Wessely
Houses built with straw bale have existed for some time. Following the invention of baling machines, they were developed in the late 19th century in the midwestern United States, a region in which timber is scarce and grain fields are abundant. Back then the bales were used for bearing loads – a way of building that still exists to this day and is called Nebraska Style. However, the use of straw as a material for stiffening and as thermal insulation inlaid between load-bearing timber posts is much more common. This means of construction is even suitable for multi-storey buildings.
