Straw bales going mainstream

Here's a fun little romp through a few non-residential straw bale building projects, proof that straw bale building is catching on all over the country (and all over the world). Your kooky uncle in rural New Hampshire isn't the only one who's buying straw bales and drawing up blueprints:

Religious organizations, like the Presentation Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains, which was awarded California Construction's "Best of 2006" Green Building Award, are using straw bale building techniques ...

As are cities. Take for instance, the $26-million Transit Administration Building in the City of Santa Clarita, Ca. and Berkeley, Ca.'s Marina Nature Center.

Businesses are catching on, like Dripping Springs, Tx's Sunset Canyon Pottery gallery.

State Parks:Clayton Lake State Park Visitor Center in New Mexico.

And even schools—like the new classrooms at Western Christian Schools in Claremont, Ca.

Still want more? You could spend days peeking around the International Straw Bale Registry. And we reccomend that you do just that ...

Image Swinerton Builders