Few People Know How to Build a Strawbale House – We Did, and Here's Our Story
It has become trendy to label houses as “sustainable” and “eco-friendly” indiscriminately, but few genuinely live up to the name.
In 2009, we took on the challenge of building a truly ecological home. Designed by architect João Sousa Lino and constructed with the help of family, friends, and a young local worker, this strawbale house stands as a testament to sustainability and craftsmanship. Built with 800 tightly compacted straw bales, a wooden frame, and several tons of fresh clay, it incorporates a variety of natural materials sourced locally and responsibly.
Materials That Make a Difference
Adobe Bricks: Sun-dried and unfired, sourced from a traditional tile workshop in Évora.
Lime: Aerial lime, slaked for four years, sourced from a now-extinct lime kiln in Borba.
Clay Renders: Mixed with finely chopped straw for plastering; finished with fine clays (2mm).
Marmorino Finish: A spatolato effect created with marble dust and lime paste (2mm).
LECA and Lime Mortars: Lightweight and breathable for added insulation.
Mahogany Joinery: Double and triple-glazed windows for energy efficiency.
Reclaimed Roof Tiles: Portuguese tiles recovered from demolitions.
Natural Paints: Lime and silicate-based paints with linseed oil finishes.
And, of course, plenty of ♥️ and dedication. 🥰
The result? A stunning, sustainable monte alentejano of 100m², which became the first rural tourism project in Portugal built using this construction method.
Comfort Without Compromise
Summer: 42°C outside, but a cool 23°C indoors – all without air conditioning.
Winter: A simple wood stove keeps the house warm day and night.
Insulation: 50cm of straw coated with clay and lime on the exterior protect the house, while 12cm of interior clay regulate temperature and humidity.
Healthy Air: No formaldehyde here. Just pure, clean air and total silence.
A Well-Documented and Tested Technique
Strawbale construction is extensively documented and regulated in Europe, the US, Canada, and Australia. In France alone, there are thousands of these homes, including an 8-story building and a 5,000m² school.
The original self-supporting method, known as the Nebraska Method, originated in the late 19th century when baling machines first appeared in Nebraska. Europe’s oldest strawbale building, the Feuillette House, was designed in 1920 by engineer Émile Feuillette in Montargis, France.
From the 1970s onwards, self-builders and professionals alike began drawing attention to this remarkable method, leading to the development of official regulations. In Germany, Professor Gernot Minke, founder of the Experimental Building Research Laboratory at the University of Kassel, spearheaded numerous projects using earth and straw bales.
Essential Reading
If you’re inspired to explore strawbale construction, we recommend the following:
La Conception Bioclimatique and L’isolation Thermique Écologique by Jean-Pierre Oliva and Samuel Courgey
Building with Strawbales by Barbara Jones
Straw Bale Construction Manual and Building with Earth by Gernot Minke
For more resources, a quick Google search for "strawbale houses" or "maisons en paille" will yield a wealth of information.
Why We Do It
At Green Heritage, we know how to build homes that are truly ecological, sustainable, and memorable.
Because sustainability isn’t just a trend – it’s our passion. 😉
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