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Mud earth plaster on an adobe wall with straw bale arch
 Simplicity of design can lower the cost of a home. This kitchen uses inexpensive simple wooden shelves instead of built-in cabinets. This saved thousands of dollars. Simplicity does not mean bland. It does require putting in extra design time up front. Attention is given to the shape of openings, the position of shelves, the use of color, and the height of the ceiling in relation to the size of the room.
Unlike wood-framed houses, where it is difficult to build graceful curves and arches, mud and straw are very easy to sculpt into almost any shape. This photo shows how the 2' thick adobe wall transitions into a 10" thick wall. The arch was formed using bent bamboo that was then filled with straw and mud plastered.

Building With Awareness
Small kitchen in a straw bale
hybrid home with natural materials

 Construction Tour 13 of 14