Building with Earth

Tell others about this video and see www.thesolarvillage.com for more. This solar strawbale home is an approximately 6000 square foot co-housing residence in the urban setting of the city of Mississauga Ontario Canada. Commuter trains, buses, and shopping is all available within short walking distance.

The home is shared by three residents who share a concern for healthy housing and reducing impacts on the environment.

This home incorporate leading edge principles of holistic eco-design. The roofing integrates solar photo voltaic cells which generate electricity and solar hot water heating. The south face of the home incorporates the principles of passive solar design through the use of extensive large windows and concrete floors to store the sun rays heat. Cooling is maintained through effective shading and landscape features. The walls throughout the ground floor are straw bale insulation with a concrete plaster. This video shows the construction and results as well as providing commentary from the owner on the process.

Straw Bale Construction Workshop
By Matt Martin of
Growing Louisville Green
Spring 2008
Webster University Louisville, Ky.