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straw bale hybrid home with thermal mass adobe
The main living area of this straw bale hybrid house measures only 13' x 16.5'. The open floor plan and the carefull placement of windows makes the rooms seem much larger than they really are. Every entry point, from one room to another, always has a focal point that connects the two rooms. Windows act as "soft divisions" to the outside. Although vaulted ceilings can be a major heating problem in a larger house (the heat rises, leaving the lower level cold), in this small house, it is not as much of a problem. The added headroom expands the apparent size of the room. This view shows the home under construction with the straw bale walls to the right and the interior adobe thermal mass wall to the left.

Building With Awareness
Small Spaces Can Feel Large

straw bale hybrid house back Construction Tour 12 of 14 small hybrid home forward