Straw has been used as a building material for over a millennium, and it's not hard to see why - warm, renewable, plentiful and more durable than you might think if used right.
Celtic roundhouses are a fine historical example of how the material can be used to great effect in houses that have stood the test of time with a quiet ease. They are effortlessly functional, and their shape is reminiscent of the Grand Designs Cambridgeshire Eco Home that was inspired by these building techniques.
Straw is just as renewable and sustainable today as it was all those years ago. It's also incredibly versatile. Kester Wilkinson's home near Nottingham demonstrates this very well indeed. It uses straw bales instead of traditional brick and was built only four years ago.
'I went on a course for four days about straw bale houses,' says Kester. 'The advantage is that it's very, very accessible. You can just stack bales up and you can build a wall.' Kester is also quick to point out that people with only a limited knowledge of building can successfully build a straw bale house.
It took just 12 months to build this house of straw, and it was a real community effort on the part of Kester and his friends. The bales are coated with clay and lime plaster which seal in all that rustic charm.
Living in a straw house feels totally different to a brick home. There are no sharp edges due to the nature of the building techniques, only lovely organic lines everywhere you look. Both the plaster and paint are breathable. This makes for a pleasant environment that will rarely feel too humid or too dry, and it remains remarkably warm inside all winter long.
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