Building with Straw Bales

This book explains in straightforward terms the principles of straw-bale building for self-builders, architects and construction industry professionals. Straw-bale buildings are cost-effective, easy to build and are highly energy efficient, enabling you to design and build beautiful, environmentally friendly buildings. Written with non-experts in mind, this practical book takes you through everything you need to know in an easy, accessible way:● The benefits of building with straw bales● Design principles● Building with straw bales● Finishes: lime and clay plasters● Planning and permission● Building regulations This revised and expanded third edition brings the book up to date and includes lots of stunning full-colour photographs throughout to illustrate the design and build process. In this full colour edition of the book Grand Designs described as "the essential guide to straw-bale building", Barbara Jones uses her years of experience in natural building methods to guide self-builders and architects using straw as a sustainable material for a diverse range of comfortable and environmentally friendly buildings.  

"Barbara’s book is the perfect guide for those who are keen to design and then deliver a build which essentially touches the earth lightly. Her pragmatic approach to the use of straw bales in various guises, to suit either a traditional or contemporary aesthetic, is within the reach of those who have previously designed and built, as well as the non-professional first-timer.  Practical advice and guidance throughout the book, on each key aspect of straw bale construction, makes this the perfect accompaniment to inspiring and then achieving success in your own build project.", "If you have an urge to build a planet-friendly house that will give you great pleasure and satisfaction both to construct and to live in, then this is the book for you", "Barbara Jones is the UK’s most experienced straw bale builder. In this clear and practical book, she shares her years of practical wisdom and offers would-be builders, architects and planners a detailed understanding of how and why to build with straw bales.”

Barbara Jones, FRSA, is well known internationally as a pioneer of strawbale building and designer of innovative foundations (including using car tyres). She has been designing and building with natural materials for 20 years; including forming part of the Strawbale tour of the USA in 1999, organised by Judy Knox and Matts Myrhman, that brought European strawbale pioneers to the US.Barbara has also developed a uniquely empowering method of practical training on building sites. She was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by Women in Construction in 2011, and a Woman of Outstanding Achievement Award in 2009. Her practical skills include strawbale building, clay and lime plastering, carpentry and roofing. Barbara runs her own company, Straw Works, designing natural buildings of all shapes and sizes, and supporting self-builders.