If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be a straw bale workshop host, this “workshop host video” will help answer many of your questions. It was put together by a couple who participated in my Junction City, CA workshop in 2010. I hope you enjoy it.
It’s always fun to see the different perspectives that both participants and hosts experience the workshops from. After having taught so many workshops, I’ve learned that everyone sees things differently. Everyone learns differently too. Sometimes hearing from others is a great way to find a sense of comfort with a process. I get that hosting can be stressful if you have not experienced a straw bale workshop yourself in advance. That’s why I now require hosts to attend a workshop before they can host. It helps them see things from the participant side, ask questions of both me and the host, and get a sense of what’s expected. It makes for an easier and more effective experience on their own build.
8 Responses
Hi Andrew,
I am involved with several sustainability and environmental groups through the university of Canterbury and other community groups and we would like you to come and do a straw bale workshop here in Christchurch New Zealand, if possible.
I would like to build my own straw bale cottage one day and I love your technique : )
Ruthy Guy
Hi Ruthy. Thanks for the invitation. I’m coming to Australia March 28-April 3 of 2011. Perhaps we can schedule a workshop in New Zealand near that time? Let me know if you think that’s possible. Otherwise, I would love to come back another time!!!
Hi Andrew
I attended a workshop recently on natural building methods and strawbaling attracted me the most.
If you are ever in South Africa, Cape Town, it would be great to meet you and get some insights on the straw bale houses. I’m just a stay at home mom busy planning on building my own strawbale house soon. Hopefully I would have started if you ever come this side.
All the best
Zola
Hi Zola. So interesting that you would contact me today. I literally, just yesterday, had a conversation with a gentleman in South Africa about me coming there to teach a workshop. I have been hoping to come down for some time and I hope to make it happen this year. Stay tuned to http://www.StrawBaleWorkshops.com for updates on the potential workshop!
We are currently just starting the design for our strawbale house in Johannesburg South Africa, and would also be interested in the workshop if it happens soon 🙂
We are looking at using a lightweight steel frame for the house as a base. Do you have any experience with this
Regards
Stuart
Hi Stuart. When you say “as a base” do you mean the foundation or the frame? I have used steel as a frame, but not a foundation. The one challenge to using steel as a frame is that the mesh is difficult to attach to the framing.
Hi Andrew,
I am interested in hosting a workshop in northern Arizona. I wrote in detail all about it and my computer locked up and lost it all, so just a bit frustrated that I have to type it again. I guess that is what I get when my 6 year old laptop doesn’t want to cooperate.
In a nutshell, I would like to incorporate 2-3 <1000 sq ft straw bale cabins at this site. The buildings are approx 90 yrs old in a historic area on national forest. I started researching straw bale building at the library reading every book they had (which is a lot here in Tucson) and have been following your site and adventures for the last 6 years, we were on the road to building our own SB home (long story) but that fell thru.
This site at Dairy Springs, SE of Flagstaff the NW corner of Mormon Lake has a Lodge, 18 rental cabins, restaurant, and decommissioned store. There is a campground right next to us and several trail heads. The elevation is at 7300ft, last winter they had 6-9ft of snow which was quite unusual.
We feel that the desire to build and or retrofit several cabins would not only showcase a style of building that was utilized at the same historic period, but allow people to sample what it is like to live in a straw bale home as a rental cabin. The other buildings here are natural stone, log, and batten board. All does symbolize most of the building techniques used by settlers, pioneers, and natives of Arizona. Please let me know what other information you need from me to determine if this would be a place you would be interested in holding a workshop.
Thank You,
S. Rogers
P.S. I'm a great cook.
Hi Scarlet. This sounds like a fun project. You can learn all about what’s involved with hosting at http://www.StrawBaleWorkshops.com on the Host a Workshop page if you haven’t checked that out already. What is your timing for this project? At this point, I believe I may be down to just the September dates for this year. I look forward to hearing more from you.