VIEW FROM THE TOP - STRAW BALE LIVING
When I first started this business, getting to know the full range of the types of properties we wanted to work on was a great pleasure, and remains so today. Each property that we assess as contributing to environmental sustainability has its own interesting story. Whilst working in the US, I took the opportunity to visit @Taos, New Mexico where pioneering architect @MikeReynolds was establishing what he called @earthships. Initially, aiming to use the immense aluminium can for building he soon moved to tyres and bottles, all encased in earth from the site where they are built. Water, sewerage, power systems, food production often in quite desert environments. Check them out if you have not seen one as these days as @earthships are built all over the world. In Australia, we heard one of the first was built in South Australia by a fellow who could not bury tyres unless his property was designated a tip. Any parents of boys would see the amusement !
The early straw built houses often had a very similar feel – soft, wavy, gentle, creative, comfortable, inspiring, are all words that come to mind. Today as builders have learnt from the early movements towards alternative building materials, the straw bale homes retain this gentleness and close relationship with place. Of course mud and straw were are used worldwide. However, as the more eco world emerged in Western countries, people returned to materials more close to the earth. Building companies emerged too. So some houses have a more ‘professional feel’ depending on how much was done by the owner/group build, and how much done by the builders who do it constantly as part of their business.
The people who choose this material share many of my same goals – the systems for power, water, waste, food production, household management, landscaping. All reflect using the best affordable systems to support the home in its particular location, climate, as well as personal choices for its occupants and the cycles of life.
Meeting the people who want us to sell their property for them and meet our shared goals of passing it on to the right people (as well as lots of education for those willing to learn) is one of the greatest joys of my life and the company I have created. Even better is the pleasure of introducing them to the people who are to be the next owners, taking on the property and continuing with the work around property and sustainability.
A couple of the straw bales properties we worked on in 2017 were in the owner/group build category and so I will talk about them another time. Available now is one in Scone NSW where the owner is a professional builder and this is reflected in the numerous WOW factors of straw bale living.
The gentleness I referred to is accentuated here with the independent power supply (even though grid connected mains is available). No power bills is one thing, but enjoying seeing the panels every day working away with our natural systems is a constant reminder of how lucky we are in Australia to harness the sun.
Enjoying an edible landscape of fruit trees, eggs, herbs and vegetables means your own daily source of supplies and how easy to maintain the trendy Mediterranean diet. Throw in a goat and a sheep or two and you could really be doing it with yoghurt and moussaka! Or there is room for a pony (or donkey) on some extra acres adjacent, as well as being a great investment.
The stunning rural views to the open country of the Hunter Valley means for this property your own wind turbine can contribute to power supply.
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