Design Your Straw Bale Home With Confidence

Get expert guidance, clear drawings, and field-tested details for a smooth path from design to permit.

Testimonial / Review

“20+ years teaching and designing”

  1. “Thousands of students trained”

  2. “Projects across multiple climates”

  3. Add 3 small client quotes that mention clarity, permitting, and comfort

Trust Bar

Choose Your Path

Get hands-on skills, solve real problems, design your home.

Partner with Timbo to turn ideas into a buildable straw bale home tailored to your site, climate, and budget.

Start with a focused meeting to plan your next steps.

Cutom Design

Get a home shaped to your site, climate, and life. Clear steps, one guide, buildable drawings. Learn more

Ready-made designs by straw bale pros. Modify if needed. Instant access to plan packages. Learn more

House Plans

Custom Home Design

 Work directly with Timbo

Intake Form

A practical design process for a comfortable, code-ready straw bale home.

Why it works

  • One point of contact from concept to permit coordination

  • Field-tested details for straw bale walls, openings, and moisture control

  • Passive solar and climate-smart thinking from day one

Process map

  1. Discovery and fit

  2. Schematic design and layout

  3. Energy and climate strategies

  4. Permit-level drawings and coordination

  5. Build support as needed

What you receive

  • Scaled floor plans and elevations

  • Wall sections and key details for straw bale construction

  • Door and window schedules

  • Basic site plan guidance

  • Coordination notes for local engineering and energy compliance

  • Optional 3D views for clarity

Timing signal
Most projects move through schematic design in weeks, then into permit drawings based on your jurisdiction and pace.

Pricing signal
Consulting is billed hourly. If helpful, offer a paid Design Consult to start.
Microcopy: “Consulting typically billed at $150 per hour.”

House Plans

 Work directly with Timbo

See a plan you like, but it would like to make changes?

Why plans make sense

  • Faster start and lower cost than fully custom

  • Proven straw bale layouts and details

  • Modifications available if your site or codes need tweaks

What’s included

  • Floor plans and elevations

  • Basic sections and typical details suited for straw bale construction

  • Door and window sizes

  • General notes for build approach

What’s not included

  • Site-specific engineering or calculations

  • Local code compliance documents

  • Mechanical, plumbing, and electrical design

  • Interior framing specs if not part of the plan scope

  • Truss or TJI engineering
    Add a note that local engineering and code approvals are required.

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NEEDS UPDATE

Plans vs Custom (chooser)

 Work directly with Timbo

If you wantChooseFastest path and lower upfront costHouse PlansTailored layout for site, budget, and climateCustom DesignComplex site or strict local codesCustom DesignMinor changes to a proven layoutPlan Modification

CTA: Start your custom design and Browse house plans

  • Ian M.

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    I did a bale building workshop in Montana and LOVED it! They are very professional yet flexible in their teaching style and can answer any questions you may have. I can't imagine a more informative, productive, and FUN!! strawbale building workshop experience than with Strawbale.com.

  • Anne H.

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    I learned so much by getting to actually practice the skills involved in building with straw bales, in an environment of respect and support and so much fun!  And as an architect, I feel ready to incorporate straw bale design into my practice!


  • Deborah O.

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    My husband & I had the best week learning from them and getting to experience the process hands-on. We are excited to bring that knowledge to TN and put it into our build. Also, the food & people rocked.


NEEDS REVIEW

Find Answers To Common Questions

Explore why building with straw is practical, proven, and fit for your home.

  • Often yes. Many jurisdictions require structural engineering and may also ask for geotechnical and energy documentation before issuing a permit.

  • es. Through Design Development Consulting and Plan Reviews, we advise on energy efficiency strategies and code adherence, then coordinate what your local professionals must stamp or submit.

  • It depends on scope, jurisdiction, and how quickly decisions are made. We set a realistic timeline after an initial consult and align milestones with your permitting path.

  • Begin with an introductory consult, then review our “new to straw bale” resources and codes overview to ground decisions in current standards. From there, we shape a concept to match your site and climate.

  • Include: a digital PDF plan set with drawings such as foundation, floor plans, elevations, sections, framing, electrical, schedules, notes, and straw bale details, which vary by plan. Not included: materials lists by default, printed sets, or site-specific compliance documents and engineering required by your jurisdiction.

  • Yes. You can modify locally, and in many cases the original designer can make changes for a fee. See each plan page for options and terms.

  • es. We offer hourly consulting, on-site training for your crew or DIY group, plan reviews, and site visits to keep the build on track and resolve field questions.

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