Straw bale construction creates strong, energy efficient homes
10 months ago | 298 views | 0 
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Moab residents Drake Taylor and his wife Hélène Boyer bought their home on Rosetree Lane four years ago with the intention of eventually remodeling the property. Today, the couple is not only renovating their home, they are “eco-vating” it, by using a variety of building techniques including straw bale and earthbags, with help from local earthbag construction expert Doni Kiffmeyer and local contractor Dave Clark, who has built several straw bale homes.
The home was originally built by Richard Parsons in 1952, using handmade adobe bricks that he fashioned on the property. Taylor and Boyer say living in the home for four years with their two children made them realize they needed to make substantial changes to the building. But they did not want to tear it down and lose the home’s special qualities and history.
Considering their options, Taylor and Boyer said they knew the house didn’t have good solar views and they didn’t want to reorient the house for maximum solar gain because they enjoy the views they have from the property as it is currently situated. The solution: They decided to “eco-vate” and reuse as much of the old building as possible.
During the construction process, the original adobe walls have all been left in place while the structure has been expanded. The new walls are built with straw bales, which also now line the outside of the old adobe bricks. Straw bales have an insulating R value of 40+, so, combined with the adobe, Boyer and Taylor say the final building will be a “very energy efficient home.”
The home’s old roof, made of beautiful timber, was saved and recycled into the new interior ceiling. The old fireplace brick has been recycled into the floor of a newly constructed and mud room.
Except for the concrete floor in the bathroom and utility room areas, the home’s floors are all constructed of rammed earth, which they made with reject sand purchased locally.
The extensive property currently sprouts piles of stockpiled materials that will be used for projects planned further into the renovation. Fir timber is neatly piled and protected under a tarp. Adobe bricks, removed to make way for new windows, have been saved. The old sidewalks were removed and the piles of concrete saved for use in structural and retaining walls and future landscaping projects.
Taylor and Boyer said their motivation in deciding to eco-vate, rather than remodel with more traditional materials, was to reduce, reuse and recycle by using as much of the home’s original components as possible.
Taylor said he enjoys the feeling of being involved in a growing sense of community where everyone shares passions and knowledge and becomes closer.
Boyer met the daughter of the original homeowner, who came by to see her childhood home while visiting Moab for her 50-year high school reunion. Boyer said the woman cried with happiness to see the adobe bricks she had watched her father make by hand, saved and still being used by the new owners.
“It reinforced our decision to rebuild the home,” Boyer said. “It has retained its soul.”
Straw bale homes are also going up in other areas of Grand County. Dennis Silva and Mary Moran are slowly and meticulously crafting their straw bale home in Moab. The couple was inspired to use straw bale construction after studying and reading about straw bale homes over the years while they lived in Tucson, Ariz.
After moving to Moab and living with the local daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations, they decided that, compared to adobe homes, straw bale construction would provide more insulation. Both said they wanted to build the most energy efficient home while also creating a house that is aesthetically pleasing.
The home currently under construction was designed and oriented for maximum solar efficiency in both summer and winter. A straw bale garage was built first to serve as a storage space for tools and materials for building the house. Silva and Moran celebrated the completion of the garage by inviting friends to a plaster party.
The house is now well underway and will have earthen plaster floors to aid with temperature control, and insulated windows to hold in heat in the winter and cool air during the hot summer months.
The home was originally built by Richard Parsons in 1952, using handmade adobe bricks that he fashioned on the property. Taylor and Boyer say living in the home for four years with their two children made them realize they needed to make substantial changes to the building. But they did not want to tear it down and lose the home’s special qualities and history.
Considering their options, Taylor and Boyer said they knew the house didn’t have good solar views and they didn’t want to reorient the house for maximum solar gain because they enjoy the views they have from the property as it is currently situated. The solution: They decided to “eco-vate” and reuse as much of the old building as possible.
During the construction process, the original adobe walls have all been left in place while the structure has been expanded. The new walls are built with straw bales, which also now line the outside of the old adobe bricks. Straw bales have an insulating R value of 40+, so, combined with the adobe, Boyer and Taylor say the final building will be a “very energy efficient home.”
The home’s old roof, made of beautiful timber, was saved and recycled into the new interior ceiling. The old fireplace brick has been recycled into the floor of a newly constructed and mud room.
Except for the concrete floor in the bathroom and utility room areas, the home’s floors are all constructed of rammed earth, which they made with reject sand purchased locally.
The extensive property currently sprouts piles of stockpiled materials that will be used for projects planned further into the renovation. Fir timber is neatly piled and protected under a tarp. Adobe bricks, removed to make way for new windows, have been saved. The old sidewalks were removed and the piles of concrete saved for use in structural and retaining walls and future landscaping projects.
Taylor and Boyer said their motivation in deciding to eco-vate, rather than remodel with more traditional materials, was to reduce, reuse and recycle by using as much of the home’s original components as possible.
Taylor said he enjoys the feeling of being involved in a growing sense of community where everyone shares passions and knowledge and becomes closer.
Boyer met the daughter of the original homeowner, who came by to see her childhood home while visiting Moab for her 50-year high school reunion. Boyer said the woman cried with happiness to see the adobe bricks she had watched her father make by hand, saved and still being used by the new owners.
“It reinforced our decision to rebuild the home,” Boyer said. “It has retained its soul.”
Straw bale homes are also going up in other areas of Grand County. Dennis Silva and Mary Moran are slowly and meticulously crafting their straw bale home in Moab. The couple was inspired to use straw bale construction after studying and reading about straw bale homes over the years while they lived in Tucson, Ariz.
After moving to Moab and living with the local daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations, they decided that, compared to adobe homes, straw bale construction would provide more insulation. Both said they wanted to build the most energy efficient home while also creating a house that is aesthetically pleasing.
The home currently under construction was designed and oriented for maximum solar efficiency in both summer and winter. A straw bale garage was built first to serve as a storage space for tools and materials for building the house. Silva and Moran celebrated the completion of the garage by inviting friends to a plaster party.
The house is now well underway and will have earthen plaster floors to aid with temperature control, and insulated windows to hold in heat in the winter and cool air during the hot summer months.
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