This workshop is perfect for those folks who are thinking they might like to build a straw bale building one day - but are not yet ready to commit to spending their life’s savings and all their vacation time flying out west somewhere to get the total immersion program.

From  start-to-finish we will learn all the skills necessary to build a small garden outbuilding  - at the same time utilizing all the skills that you would use to build a much larger project.  Sort of a “walk before you run approach.”

Our Straw Bale Philosophy:

We realize there are a lot of folks who are very interested in straw bale building - but are not necessarily contractors, carpenters, marathon runners, or have an extra $200,000 laying around waiting to be invested in a natural building.  But you still think straw bale building is pretty cool and you would like to know more about it.  And who knows, you might even someday scrounge together enough money to build your own one day.

That said, there are several ways to approach this thing.  The first (and by far the most common) is to look at straw bale constructions through the lens of a traditional builder or contractor.  It is a renewable material that can be incorporated into traditional building techniques.

Or, you can look at it as a really neat way to begin building a beautiful structure, recycling what you can, incorporating what you have... and see where that leads you.

With this in mind, our approach to straw bale construction is to use what is available where-ever possible (hence the rammed earth tire foundations, saplings rather than rebar, recycled lumber, and so on and so on).

The Workshop Agenda includes:

• Orientation/ quick tour of Blue Rock Station
• Site selection and leveling
• Laying out the “tire foundation”
• Pounding and leveling the tires.
• Installing a sill plate.
• Framing the structure.
• Securing the base row of bales to the foundation
• Cutting and retying bales to size.
• Cutting saplings to girdle the bales.
• Lashing the bales to the saplings.
• Theory of straw bale, load bearing versus non-load bearing
• Water issues (keeping the bales dry)
• Mixing and using cob
• Earth plastering
• Integrating designs and light into your building using bottles
• Creating a living “green” roof

The Straw Bale Weekend Project:

This basic project incorporates all the skills and techniques that you will need to tackle different size projects (like building your own dream mansion or a retreat out of straw bales).  But the scale of the project will be small enough for a beginner “green builder” to learn without being overwhelmed - useful techniques for big or small building projects.

Given the size and nature of this project, we will cover the work site in a canopy (if necessary) - so the event will proceed rain or shine .

Come prepared to work hard, have fun, discuss politics, eat terrific locally grown food (catered lunches and snacks are organized), make friends, sweat, have a proper cup of tea - then sit in the shade and admire all you have accomplished.

Workshop questions and logistics (such as what to bring, where to stay, meals, local attractions, directions, and the like).

Class size is limited to 12 students, so please reserve your spot early.  You will also see below that deep discounts are available to those who register early.  For reservations, call us at (740) 674-4300, e-mail annie@bluerockstation.com or register instantly and pay by credit card by clicking the blue button below...

 (Registration fee - $195 per person)