Original Building Cost: $2500
Total Cost To Date: $4900 (with addition)


Earth Plaster Mixture:
9 Shovel Fulls of Dirt
1 Shovel Full of Lime
1 Shovel Full of Portland
Water- Just enough to make a thick mud like texture.

1st Layer- Earth Plaster
2nd Layer- Earth Plaster
3rd Layer- Stucco Finish (Portland Based Stucco Like: La Habra, Imasco)

Step 1: I constructed an octagon out of 2x6 lumber and we needed it to be up on the temporary pole in order to support each of the 8 main timbers that become the support for the straw bales. We used ropes and some logs nailed into nearby trees to support the temporary pole.

Step 2: We used the straw bales as scaffolding - the octagon is off the ground by about 18 feet. Getting the octagon up onto the pole was perhaps the hardest part of the entire project. It probably weighed about 170 pounds or so. Maybe a little more, I didn't weigh it. Remember, no machinery was used except a chain saw - everything is done by hand. I pushed the octagon up the ladder rung by rung and my friend, Kyle, held it in place with a rope strung through a tall tree. That way I was able to rest. We had tried to attach the octagon to the pole first and then raise that up with ropes, but it proved to be too heavy for five people. Kyle and I both stood on the straw bales and lifted the octagon into place once it was up close to the top of the pole.

Step 3: Here you see all the timbers in place, the temporary pole that held up the framed 2x6 octagon is gone, now. Blocking is in place as well as a chipboard (a little cheaper than plywood) floor. Two 20 foot pieces of rebar can be seen in between the timbers for more support. They are imbedded in the cement foundation. Actually, it's just a concrete cap sitting on top of about 200 used car tires filled with earth. Remember, I got most of my materials for free or from the forest. That's why I was able to build the entire structure for under $4,000...

Step 4: Here you can see the metal fencing that I got for free being used to support the straw bales. There is also some chicken wire, which is more uniform and if you are buying everything, would be a better choice than the fencing. But hey, free is free and it worked fine.

Step 5: I am now beginning to lay up the straw bales. They sit on the cement cap (which was poured at an angle, so the bales sit flat on the foundation) but in between them and the concrete is a strip of 6 mil polyethylene (plastic) to prevent moisture from being wicked up into the bales from the concrete. You are looking at what will be the front door later. The bottom floor is down about 3 feet, so you walk down into it.

Step 6: The bales are almost all up at this point. I used wooden stakes or pieces of rebar to stake each bale to the other bales. I drove the stakes in with a small sledgehammer. I used about 250 straw bales for the house and that took me about 2 days to get them all up.

Step 7: You see the future windows. I just made it up as I went along, I didn't yet know at this point exactly how big the windows would be.

Step 8: The bales are all up and now you see the first coat of earth stucco being applied. All mixed by hand in a wheelbarrow and applied by me with rubber gloves.

Step 9: Here you can see that I figured out how to frame the windows with 2x6. I poured the earth stucco into a bucket and then climbed up the ladder to apply it. Notice my homemade ladders, made out of pallet wood and 2x4's. A lot heavier than an aluminum ladder to move around, but hey, it was almost free. I have to keep referring to the fact of how low, low budget this house was to make. I had way more time than money and wanted to build so I did.

Step 10: Here you can see that 2 coats of earth have been applied and are now dry. I call it the "petrified mashed potato" stage. Really you should put on 3 coats, but I was in a hurry, winter was a coming and I was still living in a tent. Also, my earth stucco recipe was: 9 shovels of earth, 1 of Portland cement, and a half shovel of lime.

Step 11: You see here the peeled logs that will become the roof. Also, the logs going down to the ground will be used to hold on the plastic sheeting (water proof) and then the wood siding on top of that.

Step 12: Another view of the front door and you can see the plastic sheeting.

Step 13: A GOOD view of the plastic sheeting...

Step 14: Another tremendous glance at plastic and you can see the roof now as well, it was made of 2x4's and locally produced larch ( a western tree) shakes.

Step 15: In this photo you can see the siding that I nailed over the plastic. In areas where they have logged a lot of little trees grow back really thickly. So I went to those areas and cut about 1100 of these little trees and then peeled them and now you can see them on the studio. Those are skylights in the tip top.

Step 16: I am nailing in all these little peeled trees here.

Step 17: A temporary front door entrance way...

Step 18: Almost done...

Step 19: Gotta love those homemade ladders...

Step 20: No comment at this time, Kent.

Step 21: It's done!!

Step 22: That little thing on the roof is the chimney.

Step 23: Ahh, the surrounding forest.