Process
Site Planning
Site planning for passive solar orientation of the building to capture and work with sunlight.
We coat the bales with earthen plaster, a mix of earth, lime and sand, a natural stucco. This holds most moisture out while allowing the bales to breathe from within. In regions that experience less than 80% humidity there is little concern for mold.
Design
Each project is designed to meet the criteria of the home owner, as well as the available land and sun exposure. Preliminary drawings are created for your review before they are submitted to the necessary city departments for approval. Mark L. (Ron) Hixson is one of the first in the valley to design/build custom green, clean homes. Over that time he has maintained good relationships with city code enforcement and project inspectors.
Foundation
At the base of it all is the foundation of the home. Eliminating the crawlspace allows your floor to become a heating and cooling bank, holding the desired temperature. With the addition of radiant solar heat in your floors, your home can remain comfortable no matter how cold it gets outside.
Framing
Next, a good thermal envelope, the walls and roof of the home. Straw bale performs off-the-charts, comparable to the latest in insulation technology. Click here for details about why a straw bale home is the healthier option.
A well insulated home retains heat in the winter and cool in the summer, drastically minimizing energy use.
Passive solar
Ron’s design process stars with passive solar design, meaning that the majority of the home is heated and lit by the sun, and doesn’t cost a dime!
Steps to Success with Straw bale Construction:
Passive Solar orientation of the building to capture and work with sunlight.
Slab-on-grade floor to hold heat through the cold months when the sun warms it, and cool temperatures in the summer, when the sun is blocked from the inside of the home. Radiant heat flooring provides even more comfort!
Post and beam support atop footings.
Stacking bales for maximum insulation value.
Coating the bales with earthen plaster, a mix of earth, lime and sand, a natural stucco. This holds most moisture out while allowing the bales to breathe from within. In regions that experience less than 80% humidity there is little concern for mold.
Interior walls and finish work for final habitation.
EarthCraft’s Third Straw Bale Home
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Foundation
Earthcraft Construction begins construction on their third passive solar straw bale home in Boise, ID.
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Framing
Passive Solar works with Convection Air Flow in combination with the high R Value from the straw bale insulation.
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Raising Walls
Hosting a straw bale workshop provided the opportunity to let people learn more. Hosted in partnership with Eco2Librium, Mark Lung.
Straw Bale Projects
Boise's First Passive Solar Straw Bale Home
Winner of the City of Boise's 2010 Building Excellence Award, Green Building Category
The thickness of the walls provides a nostalgic sense of comfort and protection. This home used 240 bales locally sourced. The total cost for energy use in this home per year was $500 when built. For much of the year temperatures can range here from 54-95 degrees outside, while the interior of the home remains comfortable at 69-74 degrees. The main use of energy comes during the coldest months of the year, contributing the majority of the annual bill.
Built with 240 bales of straw harvested from Meridian, ID Walls 18-23" thick Annual energy cost for this home: $500.00 Outside temperatures 54 - 95 degrees, inside it was a comfortable 69 - 74 degrees, requiring no AC unit. Stucco made of dirt, sand and pigment.
1100 Sq Ft Straw bale home
Custom Infill Straw Bale Project
Good insulation is the key to energy savings in new home construction. According to Energy Star “Insulation levels are specified by R-Value. R-Value is a measure of insulation's ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-Value the better the thermal performance of the insulation.”
Energy Star recommends a high R-Value for new homes built in this region.
Features:
80% Passive solar
R32 Straw bale curtain walls
R52 Roof insulation
Radiant Heat in Poured Concrete Flooring
This home is now an Air BnB where people are able to enjoy the comfort and quiet of the space.
Passive Solar Straw Bale with Loft
This project utilizes some of the key features of Ron’s process starting with passive solar design. This home was designed to be 80% passive solar, meaning that the majority of the home is heated and lit by the sun, and doesn’t cost a dime! Combined with excellent natural insulation and a slab-on-grade foundation outfit with radiant solar heating, this house is a top performer.
Features:
80% Passive solar
R32 Straw bale curtain walls
R52 Roof insulation
Radiant Heat in Poured Concrete Flooring