Comments on: Living in a Straw bale Yurt near Ohio University

By: John

John — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:18:36 +0000

I agree completely. Bale homes are quiet, energy efficient, and (with practices becoming more standardized) the same or less cost than conventional construction. When we build, we’ll be building with bales.

By: Allen

Allen — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:47:48 +0000

First of all there is nothing about straw bale construction that is sub standard. Having worked in the construction industry for a number of years I can say that the box mentality is overwhelming. I was also a Fire Marshall and Fire Investigator (retired). Straw bale is a very affordable and efficient building material (R-2 per inch). With a concrete foundation, concrete bond beam (cap) and plaster inside and out, straw bale walls become nearly fire and vermin proof. Yurts and other forms of housing in reality become the preference of those who live in them. I did an addition to my home a few years ago using straw bale construction. I wish the rest of the house was constructed the same way. It is complete insanity to think that we can continue to cut down forests to build housing. Obbop sad but true.

By: John

John — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:46:24 +0000

I agree, and think it’s something that needs attention. Take care of the sanitary issues, and you can help folks get a leg up by living in “sub-standard” housing on a short term basis.

By: Mick

Mick — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:13:53 +0000

I lived in a tipi for a year on a chunk of Alberta prairie. It had an isulated floor, an airtight woodstove, and insulated pipe which went up through the closed flaps. The tipi had a canvas liner on the inside that went up about 7 feet. It was the coldest winter in 40 years. I stoked a fire at bedtime and turned everything down. In the morning, I woud open up the damper and draught and get back into bed for half an hour. Lots of cool memories from that year. The yurt sounds more comfortable and practical though. Great story.

By: Obbop

Obbop — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:06:31 +0000

So many locales will deny anything but “traditional” housing apparently required to ensure the “proper” locals and their firms will obtain their “proper” share of the funds required to create the shelter needed for survival.

Changes had better be made as a growing number of Americans are forced down into a 2nd-world life-style.

” There’s class warfare, all right, Mr. (Warren) Buffett said, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning.”

By: peggyvan

peggyvan — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:19:18 +0000

I lived in a tipi for 8 months in Oregon near Wolf Creek [there are no secrets in Wolf Creek]. I thought of it as primitive living 101. Wood was available on a nearby hillside that had been slash cut some years before and water from a nearby creek. Luckily it doesn’t get too cold in that part of Oregon, if it snows it usually melts off the next day.

By: Persa

Persa — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:33:44 +0000

I am interested in building my own yurt here in Ohio (about 1.5 hours north of Columbus) and I am interested in knowing how you came up with the plans and if you were willing to make them available to others. I haven’t seen a straw-bale yurt so far!

Hope your trip is going well!

By: John

John — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:19:52 +0000

That sound’s fantastic! Get everything on paper to clear up any confusion and go for it!

-John

By: viola

viola — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:09:45 +0000

I haven’t YET, but I wouldn’t say no to it. In fact, I am thinking about building a healing center with like minded people. Buying some land and living on there in Yurts, tipi’s, tent’s and whatever anyone likes to start off with.