www.CostaRicaTicas.com

just curious, is there any construction of Straw Bale Homes in CR?

Would this type of construction may be an affordable way to build there?

or, for that matter, affordable just about anywhere.

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(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

Straw bale construction really is interesting and very insulating, but insulation isn't very important in most of CR. The straw bales are covered with a thick stucco coat and the roof needs a long overhang to protect the sides from rain. I'd think that Guanacaste would be the place for that due to modest rainfall. However, I'll bet that traditional SW adobe would work too. Traditional cob construction also offers interesting possibilities for those who like a sculptural quality to a natural home. I guess I'm a fan of 'Mother Earth' type technologies.

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Brother C'dude's question was intriguing enough for me to dig a little. Here's some info sources for anybody interested:
http://www.strawbale.com/
http://www.balewatch.com/
http://www.solarhaven.org/NewStrawbale.htm
http://www.strawguy.com/

and this one about straw and other natural building materials and techniques:
http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/strawbale.htm

Thanks, Brothers, for piquing my imagination.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

There is another underutilized but readily available and cheap building material and technique--used rubber tires. Here's a book on it:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0865342156
Couldn't readily find much more but it's out there for the diligent.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

papercrete (sp?) is another option for a greatly insulated home. papercrete is concrete, water, newspaper mixed then made into blocks. it has to dry for quite a while, however. after finish stucco the inside and out. you can make the blocks as wide as you like (at least 18 inches from what i remember reading... some youtube videos out there).

Here's more on papercrete including that YouTube bit:
http://www.papercrete.com/
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/papercrete
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qArHD0kPGjM
http://www.livinginpaper.com/mixes.htm

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED