The idea for this circular plan strawbale house was born when the client first walked ino the office, declaring that she wanted a strawbale yhurt, inspired by the traditional housing typology of Mongolia.
With a little bit of engineering ingenuity, a pine post and beam frame forms a segmental roof structure under which sits the curved strawbale walls. A central core houses the living space which is protected on all sides by the bedrooms and utilities, but is open to the north to capture sun and dramatic bushland views. Raked ceilings and a lantern skylight add drama to the volume.
The house is built for bushfire zone compliance and features passive solar design, full double glazing, solar hot water system, rainwater collection tanks, and effluent treatment plant.
Preparing the circular slab foundation
Frame and roofing completed, ready to receive the bales
Bales are stacked and trimmed, prior to fixing of chicken wire
Spraying the cement render
Spraying the cement render
The living room ceiling showing lantern with exposed structure and skylight.
Northern glazing of the living area
The building almost at completion with the colour finish applied to the render
