Mud and Straw

[MEEF]

Back in the old days, our fathers and grandfathers used to build their houses using Mud mixed with Straw either with molds to make them look like Bricks or just manually.

This method - no matter how premitive it was, proved to be energy effecient and envornmentally friendly.

I was quite surprised to this techniques is back and many houses are buildt this way. Here is a full article on Straw Bale Building technology:

MEEF - Middle East Economic Engineering

[Lawrence]

I am quite familiary with straw bale building having helped a friend build one. I also own several books on the subject. It has been around for many years but improved techinques are still being developed.

It is quite labor intensive. My friend is very popular and was able to have a crew of volunteers who donated hundreds of hours mostly applying stucco inside and out. I am not so popular and so would have to choose a more conventional construction.

However, very few modern homes can match the R-value of a straw bale home. The thickness of the walls combine with the natural insulation value of straw make it almost unequalled from a viewpoint of energy conservation.