Essential Prefab Straw Bale Construction

The essential guide to prefab straw bale panels ¿ an innovative development in one of the most widely used natural building methods
PREFABRICATED STRAW BALE wall panels combine the performance and low environmental impact of traditional straw bale with reduced labor and more consistent results. These "natural" structural insulated panels (SIPs) are built offsite and transported to the job site, or built onsite and "tipped up" into position.
Essential Prefab Straw Bale Construction is a fully illustrated practical guide to this affordable, scalable method. Going well beyond the scope of many natural building books, this indispensable manual includes a complete introduction to the use of prefabricated bale walls, packed with all the information you need to determine whether they are the right choice for your project. It covers:
Specifications, engineering details, and building code references
Comprehensive step-by-step instructions and detail drawings
Finishing and maintenance techniques
Budgeting and labor estimates
Additional resources.
Containing over 100 illustrations and photographs, Essential Prefab Straw Bale Construction presents best practices from experience, research, and sound building science and engineering and the practical step-by-step information needed for high-quality prefab straw bale construction.
Chris Magwood has designed and built some of the most innovative, sustainable buildings in North America, including the first off-grid, straw bale home in Ontario. He is co-founder and director of the Endeavour Centre for Innovative Building and Living, and is the author of numerous books on sustainable building including Making Better Buildings and Essential Hempcrete Construction .
"The next generation of straw bale buildings is coming, and now we have a guide for builders, designers, and would-be manufacturers - from one of the best sources anywhere. As always, Magwood brings enthusiasm, experience, and solid science to the subject, so buy this book! Now! And prepare to learn, smile, and be part of a cool new generation of building!"
- Bruce King, Ecological Building Network, author, Design of Straw Bale Building
"Straw bale building has just grown up! Magwood has just shown us how to build sustainably for the masses."
- David Lanfear, Bale on Bale Construction
"Essential Prefab Straw Bale Construction is a jumping-off point both for professionals pondering unique, turn-key business opportunities and for novice ownerbuilders seeking an easier DIY approach to straw bale building. Accelerate your own research and development by several years in an easy weekend read."
- Ben Polley, Evolve Builders Group
"This essential guide covers it all, from the why and how to the nitty gritty details. Having explored a variety of modular and prefab delivery methods, with the help of this book, we foresee prefab straw bale becoming a favorite go-to solution."
- Anni Tilt, AIA & David Arkin, AIA, LEED AP / Arkin Tilt Architects
Sustainable Building Essentials
New Society's Sustainable Building Essentials Series aims to provide the highest quality information on sustainable building methods and materials. Editors Chris Magwood and Jen Feigin have scoured the world of sustainable building to bring you the techniques and systems that deliver measureable benefits in terms of greater energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Written by the world's leading sustainable builders, designers, and engineers, these succinct, user-friendly handbooks are indispensable tools for any project.