This straw bale workshop video is a must watch if you are interested in attending a straw bale workshop in 2017. In fact, even if you are not planning on attending, this inspiring straw bale workshop video is worth watching anyway. It showcases beautiful images of both straw bale homes under construction and finished products, as well as groups of friends coming together and growing lasting friendships. If you are a graduate, make sure to watch the video as there is a good chance that there are images from your workshop in it.
This video was created to help spread the word about the overall experience of our straw bale workshops. For those of you who have already attended, you know what I mean when I say it is hard to express what an experience it is, above and beyond the straw bale education part.
I have been told again and again that it is an “experience of a lifetime,” “the best week of my life,” and “worth every penny just to meet the people and build life long friendships.” Make sure to leave your own comments on the YouTube page or in the comments fields below…we love hearing from old and new friends!
Happy Baling and I hope to see you at a workshop someday soon! See upcoming workshops here :).
21 Responses
Cool video. Love seeing the connections and hard work made fun!
Government interference in the building trade has suppressed any kind of innovative construction for years.
Just try and get a building permit for strawbale building in your home town or adobe. Until something is done about the government’s money making scams ( building permits keep going up in cost each year) it will remain a rural and I mean way out of town, project.
Hi David. Thanks for your message. I disagree with your comment as I have been personally involved in several straw bale projects in downtown locations (Missoula, Corvallis, San Mateo, etc.). Further, there is a nationally recognized straw bale code in the 2015 IRC Appendix S for straw bale construction, so permitting has gotten much easier as a result. The biggest reason for many straw bale projects happening in the country versus the city is the thickness of the walls. On a small lot, wall thickness can be a negative impact on the project whereas those lots without restriction to building envelope are much more conducive to straw bale.
Love the video – and the music! The images bring back so many wonderful memories of our own strawbale build. These buildings sure are built with love.
Will there be any workshops in Northern California?
Hi Becky. You can see the entire 2017 workshop schedule here. I don
‘t have a California workshop in 2017, but I do have one outside of Las Vegas which may be just as close for you. Hope to see you there…
Love the video and the whole idea,
I think I ll have to go on another journey there across the Atlantic.
You should have one in Ireland , Andrew,
We will be AWSOME , if it will make you happy!!!
Hi to all my old friends if any you see this
Irish Mike
Hi Irish Mike. Great to hear from you as always, as I said in my email to you. Looking forward to seeing you again.
Any work shops in Canada?
Not this year. Sorry.
Have you ever done anything with large square bales?
Not in a workshop setting, but I have worked with people who have chosen to use large bales for their home.
…or Australia? Just thought I would put it out there in case you are ever down this way! You never know!!! I am planning on building a strawbale art studio and house here in the Southern Grampions, Victoria. Spectacular views!
I’ve taught in Australia four times and loved my experiences there. Maybe I can come back some day…
No doubt you caught the intrinsic values of your workshops! It is nearly impossible to verbalize how truly valuable these are for the future builder or just as a learning experience. The professional value is priceless, as is the personal. I made lifelong friends at your workshops; ones that share the same passion as I do for straw bale building. Well done!
Kathryn
I count myself as one of those friends Kathryn!!!
I have 20 acres of flat road-frontage land in central oregon. I have waited for years to retire there with my 2 horses. I must wait until my elderly mother no longer needs me before I can leave her (Santa Rosa, Ca.)
I am older, too, and moderately disabled and will need to hire someone to build a fairly small, but beautiful, horse barn; where my old horses will have the best life possible.
I have long sang the virtues of straw bale, took a hands on class in hopland, and poured through many books. I have been your secret supporter for years. I hope and pray that when the time comes I will be able to find someone to build the little barn!!!.
You are my hope for finding someone.
Hi Stefani. I hope that when you are ready, I can help you find the right person to create your dream.
Hi Andrew
I watched your Video on strawbales workshop which was inspiring and awesome the way you do the job which was environment friendly and cost effective and bring people of different walks of life together since we in India Build Concrete house’s as I am builder in profffession is it possible to join the workshop with you and learn the profffession and learn more skills for the benefits of others thank you.May God bless you and your family in all your efforts.
With prayers
D.jayaseelan.
Hello Dinakaran. Thank you for connecting. I would love to share the workshop experience with you. You can see the locations for my classes this year by clicking the workshops tab at the top of this page. I hope you can join us.
wow, looks like a great experience and the finished products can be so beautiful. can just imagine living in one someday 🙂