Aesthetics and Energy Efficiency
From The Same Materials

    Even without the energy-efficient advantages of sustainable and green building materials—mud, straw bale, adobe, and recycled wood have much to offer aesthetically. There is a visual warmth that would be difficult to obtain from traditional wood frame and painted wallboard construction. The natural materials both insulate (straw bale exterior walls) and absorb heat (interior adobe thermal mass walls). By taking advantage of the local climate conditions, the same green materials that give beauty to the home also help to heat and cool it. This part of New Mexico has very hot summer days and cool nights. At night, the windows are opened to cool down the thermal mass walls. During the day, when the windows are closed, the interior temperature stays comfortable due to the straw bale and thermal mass walls working in harmony.

Temperature readings taken on 6/19/02 for a 24 hour period:
Maximum Outside Temp: 98 degrees F
Minimum Night Outside Temp: 60 degrees F
Maximum Inside Temp: 71.2 degrees F