Hands on Building House Walls with Straw Bale Construction

This event is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy group camaraderie and learn about an alternative construction technique while lending a hand building straw bale walls on a house project by Architect Howard Switzer http://www.earthandst....
Lunch will be provided for helpers.
This project is in a rural setting on Katrina Hay's homestead outside of Portland TN (the map link on this site isn't going to work. You will need to copy address and zip into map browser)
Driving Directions are below

Here are benefits of straw bale construction

Excellent insulation— plastered straw bale walls have an insulation rating of R30-35

Plastered straw bales have a Class A fire rating—straw bale walls offer a 2 hour fire wall. This is the level of protection required by codes for stairwells in high-rise buildings.

Easy to install— large “building blocks” stack easily

Beautiful deep window sills— good for window seats and growing plants

Uses a “waste” product— most straw in the United States is burned creating a high particulate pollutant. Enough straw is burned in the US every year to build 2-3 million homes.

Sequesters carbon— the carbon absorbed throughout the straw’s growing cycle is sequestered in the wall rather than released into the air through burning.

Please RSVP ASAP to help with planning or contact Howard by email or phone [masked]
The date is Saturday, August 30th
Time: 8am (come any time before noon)
The address is 132 Breeder Road Portland, TN 37148.

Driving Directions
Take I 65 North to Exit 117, turn right onto Highway 52 off the ramp, turn left at the four way stop onto Highway 31W. turn right onto old Highway 31 W # 3 across from the weigh station, turn right on Scattersville Road and go .7 miles, turn left onto Breeder Road, turn right into the first driveway.
Bring gloves, dust mask, eye protection...
Bring your own drinking water (There is no running water on this project site) there is a porta potty...